The clothing industry is creating loads of trends and is now working on its most important trend yet – sustainability. It’s particularly important in the fashion industry as it’s a significant contributor to environmental and human damage. Fashion production releases 10% of the world’s carbon emissions. That’s more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. The industry’s also responsible for 20% of all water pollution worldwide. Good news is that the fashion industry is addressing these issues and is trying to create a more sustainable world.

Here are 4 reasons why sustainable fashion is so important and how it can be beneficial to our planet.

Sustainable fashion reduces carbon footprint

The majority of our clothes are petroleum-based and made from fossil fuels. These materials need more energy in the production phase than natural or recycled fibers. Sustainable brands use these materials and they therefore require significantly less to no chemical treatment, little water, less energy and no pesticides to grow.

Sustainable fashion saves animal lives

It’s estimated that the leather industry alone kills over 430 million animals per year. Sustainable fashion is using many unique cruelty-free alternatives such as polyester made from trash, bags created from recycled seatbelts, and others. One of the most demanded leather replacements is the leaves of pineapples.

Sustainable fashion needs little water

Water is used in the dyeing and finishing processes for almost all the clothes out there. It takes an incredible amount of 2,700 litres of water to produce a single T-shirt. Organic cotton, on the other hand, reduces water consumption by 91% as opposed to conventional cotton.
 
Sustainable fashion supports human rights

In the fast fashion industry, there are numerous examples of social injustice: child labour, minimum wages, endless working hours, unhealthy working conditions, verbal and physical abuse, etc. Eco-ethical brands advocate for providing humane working conditions, health care and fair wages. They spread the message that the well-being of people working is just as valuable as the environment.

Lithuanian Apparel and Textile Industry Association LATIA builds professional links among apparel and textile community particularly looking for Intelligent sourcing solutions, trade opportunities in West and East, Baltic brands and products. Today it also unites members that advocate for sustainability. “Eustilija”, for instance, aims to produce more linen and knitwear. UAB “Šilta mada“, on the other hand, promotes re-sewing old fur coats and, in this way, strives to protect the environment.