Ethics in the news: Fashion and environmental impact

Environmentalists have long noted that the fashion industry is among the top polluting industries in the world.

Designers seeking to reduce fashion’s environmental impact

Both natural resources and synthetic polluters are required for a number of steps in the fashion production chain. Fiber crops such as cotton and linen require soil, water, and fertilizers that produce hazardous water runoff. Synthetic fibers such as polyester are comprised of petroleum products. Fuels are needed to transport fibers, dry goods, garment components, and ultimately apparel fashions themselves to point-of-purchase locations.

Additionally, textile dyeing and finishing use chemicals that not only yield the fabrics desired by designers and consumers but also cause pollution due to the waste treatment processes required to effectively administer most dyes and finishes used in the global marketplace. Design and production processes have numerous negative impacts on our environment, but unfortunately, the impact of fashion does not end there. Most fashion garments are discarded in landfills long before their useful life has expired.

The Sustain Your Style is dedicated to sharing information about fashion and sustainability. The goal of Sustain Your Style is to identify “humane and sustainable alternative (fashion) options without compromising on our look.”

The Peggy Sue Collection, designed by Peggy Sue Deaven-Smiltnieks, won first place for its fashion collection made with “hyper-traceable fibers, artisanal production, and zero-waste design” (Shantz, 2017). The winning collection was constructed with “local wool and alpaca fibers, organic color-grown cotton and innovative upcycled denim.”

Resources used for this news article

1. Kozlowski, A. (July 3, 2017). Available: Fashion designers respond to environmental crises..
2. Shantz, K. (October 4, 2017). Available: Peggy Sue Collection wins Canada’s Sustainable Fashion Award..

It is wonderful to take note that designers are aiming to be ethical, sustainable, and humane in their design and manufacturing process, actively exploring sustainable alternatives.