PLANET
The exploration of the four pillars: Planet, People, Profit and Purpose, allows for development in creating a holistically sustainable industry. The ‘Planet’ pillar depicts a larger picture in response to the aftermath of the production of goods from fashion businesses.
Replacing the use of a linear system in production with circular thinking will result in substantially less destruction to our environment. From ending up with landfills of unused materials to then redistributing and upcycling them in order to come full-circle and prolong their worth.
Businesses in the fashion sector are said to cause the most environmental damages due to their production which releases 10% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. In order to limit the negative outcomes, the UN implemented 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are guidelines that were put into place to protect the future of the planet and there are hopes for these to be achieved by 2030.
Goals that resonate with the planet pillar include; 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 and 15. In particular, goal number 12 responsible consumption and production, and number 13 climate action, work harmoniously in response to the rising dilemma of global warming. This is evident with rising carbon emission levels caused by improper production processes leading to the Earth’s average surface temperature rising greatly over the past decades.
Also, water and soil are impacted by chemical leakages, endangered habitats are destroyed due to deforestation, and air pollution is increasing with rising international shipments. Materials produced from animals are becoming a whole new industry on their own with extreme mass cattle farming. These catastrophic impacts that fashion processes are having on the planet can be reduced if businesses begin recycling waste materials in a circular system. “There are 196 countries in the world that make being naked illegal, so it’s about HOW we make clothes” (Rimarcikova, K, 2023 lecture)
Sustainability revolves around extending the life of materials. Within fashion, it also includes the production of clothing in a way that protects the environment. Sustainable fashion processes should come from the very beginning of the supply chain; from garnering fabric all the way to customers wearing the clothes. “When considering ‘design for disassembly’, it is essential to consult other stakeholders to understand the requirements of creating a product for disassembly at the end of its useful life to enable the reuse of material components.” (Gwilt, A 2014, A Practical Guide to Sustainable Fashion)