Among industries most responsible for polluting the planet, you might assume that international travel and shipping are the top offenders. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of all global carbon emission. This number is predicted to increase to 26% by 2050.2
This tendency is due to the rise of “fast fashion,” a phenomenon that turns catwalk trends into cheap clothing that is temporarily trendy but will end up in a landfill all too soon when it goes out of style. In fact, 85% of textiles ends up in garbage dumps annually.2 Although that clothing is cheap to make, its environmental cost is tremendous. It takes 713 gallons of water to make one cotton shirt.3 The fashion industry also pollutes the oceans with microplastics.
Further, the fashion industry is rife with human rights abuses. Fast fashion brands rely on cheap, overseas labor, including child labor. It’s common for garment workers to receive less than a living wage even when forced to work long hours in unsafe conditions. One study showed 60% of female garment industry workers had been threatened with violence and intimidation.4 The unsafe conditions have also caused countless injuries and deaths — most notably in the 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh. At least 1,132 garment workers were killed and more than 2,500 workers injured.5
The fashion industry has more than its share of problems, but some brands are working to change that. By prioritizing both planet and people while continuing to work toward profits, the following brands are pioneering the push toward sustainable, slow fashion.
This unique clothing brand designs and manufactures specialty swimwear formulated with SPF protection. The garments have a sun protection factor, and some pieces cover up more skin. This design allows individuals to wear less sunscreen while enjoying a day in the water. The goal is to reduce the amount of sunscreen polluting the oceans.
In addition, Alma Society is planning to release a new collection manufactured entirely from recycled plastic bottles. These bottles polluted the Mediterranean Sea before they were recovered. The company plans to convert all its collections to this special fabric in the near future.
Furthermore, Alma Society recognizes the importance of social sustainability. It maintains a commitment to offering fair wages and safe working conditions to all its garment workers.3
Eco-Stylist is a true industry disrupter. It’s not actually a fashion manufacturer. Rather, it’s a curated marketplace that showcases men’s fashion brands committed to sustainable practices. Currently, Eco-Stylist showcases more than 40 brands that have been thoroughly vetted by the company for environmental and social sustainability practices.
The founder of Eco-Stylist, Garik Himebaugh, explained the mission of his company in an interview with Forbes magazine. He talked about how he felt a sense of betrayal learning about the methods used in the fashion industry. Himebaugh reported encountering significant roadblocks in his effort to found a company dedicated to sustainability. Yet, he persisted in his mission and was ultimately rewarded with year-over-year growth and rave reviews from customers.3
