As production increases, clothing tends to become cheaper, due to economies of scale. This has caused us to buy a t-shirt for €9.95, wear it twice and leave it at the back of the closet, forgotten. We do not stop to think about the resources that have been consumed to manufacture that shirt, the water that has been contaminated, or that perhaps it was manufactured in India by a company that hires 10-year-old children.
The appearance of sustainable collections has been a reaction to this mass consumption. Companies have begun to take into account the impact that their textile products and processes have on the environment . As I can read in the textile design manual by the English author Jenny Udale "many companies choose fabrics made from recycled materials; many fibers come from natural sources and can be reused; there are recyclable synthetic fibers. Synthetic dye companies have begun to reduce the amount of chemicals, and recycle the water they use.
The "green" trend has been implemented for years in the gastronomic culture of many countries, and even in the world of cosmetics, but it is taking time to reach the fashion industry.
Large clothing chains are already starting to launch small "green" collections. As is well known, Greenpeace has been pursuing the production practices of some of the most recognized fashion brands for years. Because did you know that some of the clothes we wear contain a multitude of toxic chemicals that your skin or that of your children can absorb?
In order to raise awareness about all this, and shed a little light, numerous movements or groups have been born around the world. Among others:
Fairtrade Foundation: Foundation for fair trade. They verify that both growers and workers have received fair treatment and payment for their contribution to the production of the product. They also verify that the products use natural and sustainable materials, which preserve traditional artisan skills, ensuring that the development of these techniques restores dignity to people and their communities.- General Assembly of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) , brings together 870 organizations in 120 countries. Its objective is the worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems, based on the principles of organic agriculture.
Likewise, there are some certifications that can help us know which textile products meet "green" criteria. I will talk about it in future posts.
It's really difficult to find ethical materials, I'm checking it myself, but it's not impossible, is it? It is time to decide, to what extent to commit to this matter.
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