Ananya Sharma
The concept of sustainable clothing is well-known nowadays. Earlier, the sustainable clothing market was niche, but over time, the concept has gained popularity, and people have become more aware of sustainability. Both the common man and the government are taking measures to promote sustainable clothing.
Sustainable clothing doesn’t only mean sustainable end products; it also encompasses sustainable raw materials and manufacturing processes. The use of renewable energy sources and organic farming are measures that can make a huge impact.
I can relate this pattern of sustainability to how smartphones came into existence. Initially, having smart homes was a sign of luxury. Then, smartphones became popular among the younger generation, and now they are so common that we cannot imagine our lives without them. Similarly, there should be a future generation where “clothing” means sustainable clothing.
For me, when someone says “phone,” that means a smartphone. Similarly, for future generations, “clothing” should imply sustainable clothing. Just as I am amazed when my mother talks about a time without the internet, future generations might find it hard to imagine a life without sustainability.
Sustainability is associated with another popular term—fast fashion, which acts as a repellent to sustainable clothing. The quality of clothing must improve, and recycling should become a habit. Examples of such measures include recycled plastic shoes, recycled polyester, and recycled denim clothing. However, these measures need a boost if we want a sustainable future, as mentioned above.
While observing changing trends, we should consider different aspects of society beyond clothing and textiles because everything in society is interrelated. Various transformations are happening, such as cars running on water in the automobile industry and the use of solar panels without requiring an open source of income in laws. In India, the entire United Nations’ electricity is replaced by solar-based power. Governments are attempting to increase the amount of alcohol in petrol and diesel to reduce carbon footprint. Sustainable packaging, like agro-based packing, and the use of dried millet plants as showpieces in houses, and jute home furnishings are becoming popular. Another small but remarkable trend is the rise of “best out of waste” videos on YouTube.
In the textile industry, remarkable changes can be seen, including CO2 dyeing, double-duty fabrics, solar textiles, and different eco-friendly fibres like cow dung fibre, banana fibre, and milk fibre that can make a huge impact.
The world is moving in the right direction overall, but precautions should be taken regarding fast fashion and man-made fibres. I am not saying that man-made fibres are entirely bad; they are easy to recycle but non-biodegradable. Once they enter the environment, they cannot be removed, so we should use them mindfully.
Let’s work together to leave a world without landfills, where every piece of clothing is sustainable, and every source of fuel is renewable—a clean and green world.