Published on : 26 July 20214 min reading time
For some time now, the clothing industry has come under fire from environmental advocates. Indeed, it is criticized for large-scale products on the planet. The creative processes are punctuated by products dangerous to health and an appalling living condition for the workers. From this observation was born a new trend: organic and eco-responsible clothing.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION ?
Clothing is a necessity that has accompanied humanity for a long time. Besides the social function of differentiating cultures, professions and religions, clothing protects and shelters the body from wind, cold, sun and other external agents. However, its development generates negative consequences for the planet, especially today. The scale of the environmental impact caused by the textile industry depends on the type of fiber produced (cotton, wool, bamboo, tencel, polyamide / nylon, polyester, etc.). Emissions come from transport, animal husbandry (in the case of wool and leather), the type of fiber used (polyester is derived from petroleum), water consumption and energy demand. Knowing the impacts of each category of textile fiber is essential to make the choice that best matches its profile, in order to prolong the life of the clothes.
So why is organic clothing becoming fashionable?
A TIME OF AWAKENING AND COMMITMENT
Nowadays, the textile industries are undergoing major changes. While the primary focus remains profit making, there is a growing interest in employee situations and design processes. Manufacturers are looking for effective methods to reduce the presence of carcinogens and pollutants for the planet.
Globalization and global warming have made consumers aware of the importance of ethical and eco-responsible fashion. In several countries, the working conditions of workers are deplorable. The premises are unsafe and the workers are earning breadcrumbs. Also, customers need to know if the end product was produced according to the criteria of respect for human rights. Aren’t the T-shirts they wear dangerous for the environment? All these remarks forced the leaders (whether state or industrial) to review their policy.
WHAT DO THE TERMS ECO-RESPONSIBLE, ETHICAL AND ORGANIC MEAN?
It is important to explain the key terms of this article to understand what it is all about. No doubt some of you have come here knowing what you are looking for. This section was written for those still in the flow. The term “eco-friendly clothing” remains imprecise. We sometimes evoke fashion or eco-responsible clothing, ecological fashion, organic fashion …
An eco-responsible garment “protects” the planet throughout its manufacturing process, from the raw material to the loading of the finished garment, not to mention the treatment of the fiber. It consists of using environmentally friendly processes or materials requiring less water, for example.
In principle and in accordance with what has been explained above, an organic garment is produced only from organic fabrics. Generally, ethical fashion pieces consist of organic cotton. Organic clothing must therefore be qualified as eco-responsible clothing, because it does not contain chemicals or other elements that are harmful to the environment. However, be careful, eco-responsible clothing does not necessarily constitute ethical clothing if it has been made in harmful conditions. To qualify for this designation, it must meet a number of key environmental and social requirements.
More generally, eco-responsible fashion also advocates a more rational conduct of clothing in order to fight against the waste and excessive use of natural resources.
HOW TO CHOOSE ORGANIC AND ETHICAL CLOTHING?
Finding organic clothing is not as complicated as you think. You can start by looking for organic labels. There are at least ten. To be in this revolution, it is important to choose durable clothing. Indeed, resistance and durability are intrinsic elements of organic and ethical clothing. Of course, as explained before, it is also necessary to inquire about the working conditions and status of the employees who participated in the creation of the product.
Regularly favor local goods in order to reduce the transport and the emission of carbon dioxide. You can even skip the new clothes and go for the second hand as well as the loan to undermine yourself in a sustainable way and at a low cost.
There are many companies that specialize in selling organic and ethical clothing. They can be found in the form of physical stores, but also virtual. To find them, all you have to do is ask close followers of this style of dress or do some research on the Internet. It is important to shop on popular platforms so that you are not misled.