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Time of India
22-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Earth Day 2025: How to make sustainable fashion choices without compromising on style
Every year on April 22, the world comes together to celebrate Earth Day, a global reminder of our responsibility to protect the planet we call home. What started in 1970 as a grassroots environmental movement has grown into a worldwide call for climate action. This year, as conversations around sustainability grow louder and more urgent, it's time to take a long, hard look at one of the most polluting industries in the world: fashion. From water pollution to textile waste and carbon emissions, the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to environmental damage. But the good news? With mindful choices and a little fashion wisdom, you can reduce your carbon footprint without sacrificing style. Here's how to make sustainable fashion choices that honour both the planet and your personal aesthetic. Understand what sustainable fashion means Sustainable fashion isn't just about wearing organic cotton. It's a broader mindset that involves responsible production, mindful consumption, and conscious disposal. It's about asking: Who made my clothes? What were they made from? How long will they last? It considers the entire lifecycle of a garment, from raw material sourcing to post-use recycling. Buy less, choose well The late fashion icon Vivienne Westwood said it best: 'Buy less, choose well, make it last.' Instead of indulging in fast fashion trends that barely last a season, invest in timeless pieces that you'll love for years. High-quality garments may cost more upfront but often save money (and the planet) in the long run. Embrace second-hand and vintage One of the easiest and most stylish ways to reduce your fashion footprint is to shop second-hand. Whether it's curated vintage boutiques, online resale platforms, or charity thrift shops, the preloved market is booming. Not only are you giving clothes a second life, but you'll also discover one-of-a-kind pieces that elevate your style game. Support eco-conscious brands More and more labels are embracing sustainable practices, think ethical sourcing, transparent supply chains, natural dyes, and biodegradable packaging. Do a little research before you shop. Look for certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), Fair Trade, or B Corp to ensure a brand walks its sustainability talk. Some notable eco-conscious brands include Reformation, Eileen Fisher, No Nasties, and Stella McCartney, among others. Closer to home, Indian labels like Nicobar, Doodlage, and The Summer House are redefining sustainable chic with homegrown flair. Get creative with upcycling Before you toss out that old kurta or torn pair of jeans, think again. Upcycling is the art of transforming old clothes into something new and fabulous. Turn a saree into a dress, make a patchwork bag from scrap fabric, or embellish your worn-out jacket with embroidery. It's DIY meets high fashion—and the planet loves it. Rent or borrow for one-time looks Need a lehenga for your best friend's wedding? Instead of splurging on a designer outfit you'll wear once, consider renting. Many online platforms offer a wide selection of designer wear for every occasion. Not only do you save money, but you also reduce waste, win-win. Care for your clothes the sustainable way Sustainability isn't just about what you buy, it's also about how you maintain it. Washing your clothes less frequently, at cooler temperatures, and avoiding tumble dryers can extend the lifespan of garments and reduce energy use. Say goodbye to fast cycles and hello to fabric-friendly habits. Pro tip: Use eco-friendly detergents and skip dry cleaning when possible, many traditional methods use harsh chemicals that are harmful to both your clothes and the environment. Recycle responsibly When it's finally time to part ways with a garment, don't just toss it in the bin. Donate usable items to shelters or NGOs, and for unwearable clothes, look for textile recycling programs. Brands like H&M and Zara offer in-store recycling bins in select cities. You can also explore circular fashion platforms that accept old clothes and reintroduce them into the supply chain. Educate yourself and spread the word Being a conscious consumer is about staying informed. Watch documentaries like The True Cost, follow sustainable fashion influencers, and join conversations around ethical fashion. The more aware you are, the more powerful your choices become and you can inspire others to follow suit. Start a capsule wardrobe Minimalism meets functionality in a capsule wardrobe , a tightly curated collection of versatile pieces that you can mix and match endlessly. Think of it as your style signature: fewer clothes, more looks, zero stress. Building a capsule wardrobe reduces impulsive shopping and ensures every piece earns its place. This Earth Day, let fashion be your protest against overconsumption, waste, and environmental neglect. By making conscious wardrobe choices, you're not just saving the planet; you're redefining what it means to be stylish in 2025. Because sustainability is not a trend. It's the future of fashion and you can lead the way.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Report Makes Case for Expanding Textile Recycling in Pakistan
Pakistan's textile industry continues to grow, and a new report from the National Textile University in Faisalabad takes a look at how recycling could help reduce the waste generated by that growth. The Comprehensive Overview of the Pakistan Textile Waste Industry, produced in conjunction with the Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution Program and Reverse Resources, looks at Pakistan's textile waste landscape and offers suggestions on how the country can boost its recycling potential, particularly through scaling textile-to-textile recycling. More from Sourcing Journal Eileen Fisher Renews Secondhand Clothes with Indigo Mills Update: Pakistan Producers on Trade Strategies and TENCEL™ Developments A Quiet Revolution in Textiles: Artistic Milliners' Holistic Approach to Sustainability According to Pakistan's Board of Investment, the country is the 8th-largest exporter of textile products in Asia and ranks as the 4th-largest producer and 3rd-largest consumer of cotton. Most of Pakistan's textile waste is cotton-based (68 percent), and the country was in the top third of those exporting cotton waste, with an estimated value of $59.29 million. The country also produces around 887 kilotons of pre-consumer textile waste each year, while also processing 809 kilotons of imported secondhand clothing that is either re-exported or sold locally. The United States is the largest exporter of used clothing to Pakistan, sending around $189 million worth of second-hand garments to the country each year. Pakistan has a long history of recycling, reusing and repurposing textiles. Areas such as Sindh are known for reuse of textiles in a mix of practical and cultural traditions, such as patchwork quilts called Rilli, made by stitching together old clothes into colorful patterns. And reusable clothing items and home textiles often end up in flea markets or charity distribution centers. That said, the report noted that only a small portion of post-consumer textile waste is recycled, primarily through down-cycling, leading to approximately 270 kilotons of post-consumer waste generated locally each year. 'Pakistan's textile sector already has a strong foundation for recycling, but there is immense potential to move beyond conventional methods,' said Yasir Nawab, professor at National Textile University. 'This report helps us identify key gaps and opportunities to transition towards high-value recycling solutions.' While the report acknowledges Pakistan's history of textile recycling with Faisalabad serving as the primary hub for processing waste, limited technological advances and an informal approach to recycling have led to inefficiencies and lower-quality recycled materials. For instance, the majority of Pakistan's textile waste is processed through mechanical recycling, which is best suited for mono-fiber materials and poses significant challenges when dealing with blended materials. 'Strengthening the policy environment remains crucial, as the existing national regulations do not set firm recycling targets or adequately address traceability,' the report said. 'Aligning domestic rules with international requirements, such as Extended Producer Responsibility, can help manufacturers manage end-of-life products more responsibly.' The report suggests implementing public-private partnerships to provide funding for improved infrastructure and technological advancements such as digital tracking for waste flows, as well as ongoing worker training. Improving transparency and establishing a waste collection and material sorting system also will help Pakistan improve the circularity of its textile industry. 'Pakistan has all the ingredients to become a global hub for recycled textiles—a well-established textile industry, major manufacturing groups and increasing amounts of post-consumer waste entering the country,' said Nin Castle, representative, Reverse Resources. 'By improving waste management and supply chain structures, we can unlock vast opportunities for circular solutions.'
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Allbirds Launches ‘Moonshot Zero,' the First Net Zero Carbon Shoe
PARIS — San Francisco-based footwear company Allbirds is launching the world's first net-zero carbon shoe with its limited-edition Moonshot Zero, first dropping Thursday. They settled on the name Moonshot to describe the lofty goal, but also with the understanding that it is achievable with dedication. It's stylized with zeros to convey the shoe's carbon credentials. More from WWD Cole Haan Opens New Flatiron Store With Lifestyle Design Concept Kering and the Saudi Fashion Commission Reveal Inaugural Sustainability Award Winners EXCLUSIVE: Circ Launches 'Fiber Club' With Bestseller, Eileen Fisher and Everlane Creating a net-zero carbon shoe has long been a goal of the company, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. 'This project, in some ways, is 10 years old,' said cofounder and chief innovation officer Tim Brown. 'We founded Allbirds as a B Corp, a belief that there was a generational shift and an understanding of the importance of caring for the environment, and that the fashion industry had been playing lip service to a problem.…The idea has never changed, and that was about innovating from nature.' To do so, they sourced wool from a single location of the Lake Hawea Station in New Zealand, which uses regenerative farming practices and carbon sequestration. The company used independent carbon certification to assess the footprint of the farm, then calculated the carbon intensity of the wool to a product level value. All of that takes into consideration how much carbon is sequestered on the farm through management of forest and native plants. It's a different approach than the company has taken in the past, with a bigger picture of the wool's carbon intensity value, Allbirds believes. Allbirds started labeling all its products with the item's carbon footprint in 2020, the same year they launched a partnership with Adidas to create the lowest carbon performance shoe that either brand had ever produced. That project was a 'catalyst,' said Brown, and Allbirds wanted to see just how low they could go — to zero. 'We've made something with everything that we have, tapping into every decimal point, every contact, every connection, all the way back down to scope three on the farm. And we've made a product imbued with a design language that is that is connected to sustainability,' said Brown. The black slip-on boot design incorporated more of the regenerative wool into the design from the jump, while minimizing other, more carbon-intense materials. Moonshot Zero also features a bio-based midsole foam; methane-capture bioplastic, and sugarcane-derived, and carbon-negative Green PE packaging. 'More than anything else, what's been fascinating about this project is it has been design-led,' said Brown. 'The creativity is born from constraints.…It already has implications for every other object that we make.' Following the successful partnership with Adidas, Brown hopes that Allbirds' work can spur better practices throughout the industry. For example, when the company made the formula for its SweetFoam sugarcane-sourced material available, 100 companies adopted its use. So the company has created an open-source tool kit about the Moonshot Zero development process available for other brands. 'For the progressive conversation for the broader fashion industry, this had to be about sharing,' said Brown. He hopes the shoe and its specs can spark conversation in the industry. 'We're naïve to think that objects and products and services that we use are going to miraculously disappear. We're going to stop consuming them. We need to reimagine them from the molecules up, from the fiber up, with an understanding of the name of the farmer — and hopefully this is an example. It's a starting point and hopefully an example for others to follow,' he said. 'This isn't just about this shoe. This isn't just about us. It's about showing that opportunity for every type of company to think really critically about a problem and solution, and how to share learnings and share motivations and really try to scale these solutions with the world,' said director of sustainability Aileen Lerch. However, the company is clear to focus on detail and not position it as a 'sustainable' shoe, since the word can be confusing to consumers, is losing impact and doesn't necessarily affect purchasing habits against the current economic backdrop. Even if consumers are more aware than ever of the impacts of climate change, there is a lot of 'confusion around a word and concept like sustainability that also, certainly in an American context, feels like it's a word that's out of fashion,' said Brown, noting that it has become 'politicized.' Such a sentiment reinforces the team's commitment to transparency, to help foster consumer understanding. 'We know people care and people are confused, and there's a lot of different information. And so an approach that we've really tried to take over the years and took with Moonshot also is sharing different levels of information' from farm to the store shelf, added Lerch. While a lot of the discourse in fashion is about recycling plastic into clothing, he hopes people can connect with the concept of regenerative farming. 'We need to tell these stories. We need to understand that more than anything else, the answers to our problems in the future lie in the past in our connection with nature, oftentimes in practices,' said Brown. 'There's a lot of value in how do we present many types of different information, touch points, and ultimately the goal here is bringing everyone along on the journey,' added Lerch. The Moonshot Zero will be available in a limited-edition run of 500 numbered pairs at the Allbirds stores in New York, London, and Dubai this week; in Seoul April 1, and roll out to Tokyo later this spring. Best of WWD EXCLUSIVE: New Zero Waste Hoodie Saves 25 Percent Fabric, Solves for One of Fashion's Biggest Problems Rebecca Minkoff Teases ' Product Footprints in Transparency Kick Sustainable Markets Initiative Fashion Taskforce Launches Groundbreaking Digital ID
