+
Evaluating Sartorial Sustainability
Anupam Chakravarty
CCTP-817-01
ECO-FASHION
+A Growing Movement
(Hoya Saxa.)
+Opportunity Areas
Traditionally: Reducing harm to animals
Limiting waste produced in clothing manufacture
Reducing use of Chemicals: Pesticides & Dyes
Reusing & recycling materials
Promoting fair trade & safe working conditions
+The Life of a (Conventional) T-Shirt
10% of all pesticides are used in cotton production
Conventional cotton for a t-shirt needs 15 bathtubs of water to grow.
The agricultural space needed for 100 t-shirts is enough to grow 1540 lbs of potatoes
5% of all waste in US landfills is textiles.
+Organic Clothing
“Organic” usually means free of chemicals No pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs
Less pollutants to the environment Toxic run-off in water
Health benefits of less allergens & carcinogens
Clothes last longer Stronger fibers More porous More fade resistant
+Eco-friendly Materials:Sustainable Cotton
Reduced water use
Nochemicals
Lesschemicals
Ban on GMOs
Conventional Cotton
“Better Cotton” X X
Organic Cotton X X X
Recycled Cotton X X X
Source:
+Future Eco-friendly Materials:Silk from Slime
Angry Hagfish yields Protein-Based Fiber
+Other Eco-Friendly Materials
Bamboo Modal
Tencel Hemp
Vegetable Dyes
+Energy Efficiency
Reduce consumption of raw materials Recycled materials = no agricultural land
Lower energy and water usage Sustainable cotton Ozone washing for jeans
Avoiding petroleum-based materials
Hand-made No by-products from mass manufacture
+Recycled, Upcycled, Reused & Repurposed
+Social Responsibility:Fair Trade & Labor Ethics
“Made in USA” signals adherence to standards. Fair Trade principles apply to imports:
Safe work-places Limiting chemical/toxin exposure
Local/community conscious Should contribute to local industry and
empowerment
Fair Wages
+Challenges & Room for Improvement
Organic fashion means organic clothing care Time-consuming and complex Encourages washing by hand Discourages detergents and dryer sheets Discourages machine washer/dryer use
Heat affects organic clothing Energy expenditure from washer/dryer
+Challenges & Room for Improvement
Inconsistency in sustainability standards Is the emphasis on pollutants? Energy?
Social ethics? Example: TOMS vs. SoleRebels Individual standards LEED for Fashion?
Lack of large-scale availability Initially more expensive; consumer inertia
+Sources
http://about.hm.com/content/dam/hm/about/documents/en/CSR/reports/Conscious%20Actions%20Sustainability%20Report%202012_en.pdf
http://organicfashionblog.com/organic-clothing-2/why-clothing-companies-should-invest-in-organic/
http://news.discovery.com/tech/biotechnology/hagfish-slime-super-clothes-121203.htm
http://www.ehow.com/about_5114223_benefits-organic-clothing.html
http://mashable.com/2013/03/13/nice-laundry/
http://www.heartsleevesblog.com/the-pros-cons-of-toms-shoes-and-another-option/
https://modavanti.com/sustainability
http://www.sewlove.co/
http://www.catalogs.com/info/clothing/organic-clothing-care.html
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/258782061/nice-laundry-a-fresh-start-for-your-sock-drawer
http://wearpanda.com
http://dogoodbeknotty.tumblr.com
http://magnifeco.com/ethical-denim-brand-review-5-clean-jean-brands-for-spring/women/
