Can Material Revolution Make Fashion More Sustainable?

‘Fast fashion’ has become a buzzword in the fashion industry. Consumers across the globe prefer fit, style comfort and affordability over sustainability quotients when purchasing their apparel.

‘What should I wear today?’ This is surely the first question that pops up when you plan to start your day. We get it! You want to choose the most appealing attire for yourself. However, do you ever wonder where the cloth is sourced from? We bet not! 

Global apparel consumption is on a steep rise and it is expected to rise significantly. That’s a whopping increase. Even more, 4% of the greenhouse gas emissions globally are contributed by the fashion industry. This calls to re-engineer and rediscover sustainable alternatives to transform the outlook of fashion. While the fashion industry looks glamorous on the outside, it is actually becoming a harmful component with each passing day! But, with innovation comes hope. The material revolution is one such step toward sustainable fashion. 

The Fashion Industry Is Messy: Here’s Why!

Everything comes at a cost! And so does clothing. The fashion industry is becoming messier day by day. But, why? Fast Fashion. The mass production of disposable clothing at cheaper prices and ease of availability encourages consumers to buy more and more apparel. While the quantity of garments has increased, the quality has decreased substantially. 

Not just this! The fashion industry directly impacts the environment, being the second largest polluter right after the oil industry. Some of the major environmental impacts caused by the fashion industry are as follows:

• Water Pollution: Most textile factories dump untreated water directly into the river. This contaminated water contains toxic substances, heavily polluting the water runoff. 

• Water Consumption: Immense quantities of fresh water are used to produce fabric. One such example is cotton, which uses about 20,000 litres of water just for 1kg of cotton production. The fashion industry uses about 1.5 trillion litres of water every year, a number which cannot be overlooked! 

• Microfibres: These micro particles of fabric are released by synthetic material every time they are washed. About 1,90,000 tons of microplastic fibres are released into the oceans every year. Various surveys suggest that these microfibres not only alter the ecosystem of oceans but also pose a grave threat to aquatic life in oceans. 

• Waste Disposal: With fast fashion, more and more clothes are being disposed off, without the consideration of recycling them! Synthetic fibres can take up to 200 years to decompose.

• Chemicals: From fibre production, and bleaching to wet processing of garments, chemicals are extensively used at every step, directly impacting the environment. These chemicals are released into the environment through washing and disposal. 

With all the harm caused to the environment, the question pops up! Is there any way this deed can be undone? Yes! material revolution. While this can seem like a new term but is synonymous with sustainable clothing options. Let us walk you through it. 

Material Revolution: How Will It Transform Industry Towards a Sustainable Trajectory

Sustainable fashion is the need of the hour. This has led to a demand for a paradigm shift towards ethical practices and sustainable materials to produce clothing. One of the major ways to do this is through material revolution. What is it? 

In simpler terms, the materials revolution is the shift in the fashion industry towards biodegradable and sustainable textile production. Many brands are now taking notice and aware of their processes, opting for mindful approaches towards the fibre produced and sourced. The amalgamation of the material revolution with the fashion industry can be quite fruitful. Here are some of the benefits that material revolution will lead to a sustainable trajectory: 

• Supporting local businesses: Since local businesses have access to sustainable materials and have a supply chain in place, leveraging that could not only mean bigger brands opting for more eco-friendly materials but will also help small local businesses grow. 

• Reducing global emissions: Opting for sustainable and biodegradable materials can considerably decrease the carbon footprint as well as toxic emissions caused due to other materials.

• Consumer awareness: As more and more consumers are becoming aware of sustainable steps, and making mindful purchases, the material revolution can accelerate the industry. Customers are becoming actively involved in saving the planet through these small changes.

• Creativity and exclusivity: The fast fashion trend led to clothes being produced in bulk quantities and monotonous designs. However, the unique materials allow scope for creativity, allowing the retailers to produce exclusive designs for the customers. 

Material revolution is not just a chance to save the environment, but also an opportunity to unlock new avenues for the fashion industry. 

Sustainable Fashion Alternatives Which Are A Major Part Of Material Revolution

From cotton to fast fashion, there is a long list of materials which have led to adverse effects. But, on the contrary, there is quite a list of sustainable material alternatives which can take forth the material revolution. Here is a list of such alternatives: 

• Mushrooms: Mycelium, the material which has threadlike filaments can also be used to make leather-like material. ‘Mylo’ is a promising mushroom leather material produced by a startup named Bolt Threads, based in California. Brands including Lulolemon and Adidas have made their debut in their products already. 

• Roses: Rose-petal silk is being made from the waste petals of roses, being used for fabric dresses, made by BITE Studios.

• Banana Leaves: Musa Fiber, which is water and tear-resistant has been made from banana leaves, being used in H&M sneakers. 

• Pineapple Leaves: These can be used to make a durable, supple mesh, leather-like material. Piñatex material, made by Ananas Anam, has been repurposed through the waste of pineapple harvests. Brands like Hugo Boss, Paul Smith, Nike and H&M have already used this material. 

• Seacell: Made from brown seaweed, SeaCell is an ecological fibre. The calcium content contained in the material along with Vitamin E and C, have shown anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used for the production of sportswear and kids' apparel. 

While these are just a few names, natural materials are going to be the choice of the future, disrupting the fast-fashion culture. 

Impact of Technology On Sustainable Fashion

Transition to sustainability can be made seamless with new technological developments. Why do we say that? Technology is imperative to fashion with a symbiotic relationship between both! It can be implemented end-to-end in the fashion industry, allowing the producers to track their production and make mindful decisions. The ways in which technology can impact sustainable fashion are as follows:

• Biotechnology: It has led to the introduction of sustainable, lab-grown textiles using bacteria, mycelium and proteins. Other materials can also be manipulated for the growth of certain textures and features. These biotech materials also allow circumventing petroleum issues, harmful chemicals and harm to animals. 

• Transparency: As the consumers are becoming aware of where their clothes come from, they want to understand the production cycle. Blockchain technology helps with just that. Through blockchain, customers can easily track the production cycle and supply chain. Further, technology allows for maintaining transparency between consumers and brands, preventing any information from being manipulated. 

• Manufacturing: Overproduction is a major issue in the fashion industry. By integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning, fashion brands can determine the market demand and work on the supply accordingly. It eliminates the production problems even before they occur. 

Technology can be a boon or bane for the fashion industry based on the way it is utilised. 

Tiny Steps To Make Fashion More Sustainable 

Along with the materials revolution, it is wise to take sustainable steps, one at a time! Here are a few steps you can follow to transform your fashion habits into sustainable ones:

• Re-use: Upcycling and re-using the fabric has often been overlooked! Try reconstructing the clothes you use to create something new. Do not just wear it once and dispose of it. 

• Go sustainable: There are ample small businesses coming up with sustainable apparel options. Purchase from them! Not only will it help them, but also the environment. You might have to pay some extra amount for these clothing pieces, but they are worth it.

• Donate clothes: Try bringing this into practice. There are many who need clothes! Donate them to charity. Or maybe just share clothes within the family. 

• Buy less: While fashion trends can drive you to purchase more and more clothes, a wise decision is only to get them if you really need them! Reconsider the foundations of your lifestyle. Ages ago, your grandmother needed only 2 clothes, you need 10! It’s time to rethink. 
• Know the numbers: Before you make a hefty purchase, look for the material, facts and numbers that follow. You will not need any more convincing to make a smart sustainable choice. 

The Future Of Fashion: 

Material Revolution is the need of the hour! Now is the time to take action. It can be bliss for the environment if the creation of materials is done sustainably. Fast fashion will have to drastically transform towards smart and sustainable fashion. A smaller carbon footprint can potentially impact the environment for a better future for the fashion industry! After all, it is the small actions that compound big.