Right from the beginning, technology has always been a part of fashion. Thus, the fact that technology is turning fashion sustainable wouldn’t come out to be surprising. However, presently experts are aiming to bring out the next big thing from this tech-fashion duo for the sake of future generations.
The fashion industry happens to be responsible for up to 10 percent of global carbon emissions and the second-largest consumer of water. Furthermore, the industry is also accountable for half a million tons of synthetic microfibers dumped into the ocean every year.
Consumers are now educating themselves about the environmental costs associated with producing tons of cheap clothes, and some are adopting sustainable habits, like choosing used clothes over new. We are inching towards an age where the tech-fashion integration will become more intense to create sustainable clothing and accessories.
Though organic cotton and recycled polymers may seem like the first steps towards the greater cause, the high tech will have a lot to offer in the future.
Here is a sneak peek into the five brilliant technologies that are making fashion more sustainable and environment friendly.
Product Lifestyle Management
From dye to manufacturers and retailers, the apparel supply chains are complex. Thus, to bring about sustainability in the fashion industry, excellent communication between the key players involved in the process is a must.
Starting with raw materials and extending through retail, product lifecycle management software for fashion helps make a difference by tracking the compliance, sustainability, and social impact during the creation of each garment.
This, in turn, helps companies make the right decision at every step of the development process, and deliver accurate information to the consumers.
Alternative Fabrics and Natural Dyes
The textile dyeing process contributes to around 20 percent of global water pollution. This mainly happens due to raw materials used, including the petroleum-based colorants used in dyeing, and the toxic agents used in fixing the dyes.
New greener ways of coloring clothes include the usage of hybrid pigments, powder dyes extracted from textile fibers, natural and engineered microorganisms, and plant eco dyes.
Another method includes the usage of alternative fabrics which are made by turning waste products and rinds to eco-friendly materials.
Automated Manufacturing
Automated manufacturing lessens the requirement of transportation resulting in reduced pollution by opening up possibilities for the local supply chain. Additionally, it also decreases distresses about labor conditions in offshore manufacturing facilities.
An innovation built on this concept includes the sewing bot, which works their way from spinning to weaving and assembling completed pillows, towels, and T-shirts.
Clothing Recycling and Repurposing Tools
Clothing recycling involves the process of collecting old clothes and shoes and turning them into end products suitable for reuse, like rags, cloth scraps, and fibrous materials. Due to issues such as landfill pressure, clothing recycling helps reduce environmental damages and also provides a great business opportunity to business owners.
Clothing recycling and repurposing tools also help charities generate revenue through collection programs for used clothing as well.
Online Resellers
To move forward, fashion is embracing the concept of circularity. Thus, like recycling and repurposing, fashion companies are reselling used clothes to someone else who would want to wear it.
Clothing donation centers and thrift shops have been functioning on this idea for long. However, presently several online resellers have also made their appearance to support the movement of making fashion sustainable.
It’s Going to Be a Long Journey
Currently, fashion tops the chart in being the most wasteful industries. Thus, it will be a long journey for fashion before full sustainability is achieved. Nevertheless, significant steps like those mentioned above are paving the way. Publicizing the environmental impacts at events like New York Fashion Week has dramatically helped both people and organizations realize the importance of implementing eco-friendly and regenerative practices.
The groundwork for a less wasteful future has begun in the fashion industry. Though it is a massive challenge, it is also going to be an excellent opportunity for a lot many innovations in the space.
