Sustainable Style 101: Your Guide to Eco-Friendly Fashion
For the past 20 years, clothing has become a commodity that can be thrown away. For many consumers, purchasing a new dress is a daily activity. Fast fashion has made shopping for the latest trends in high-street stores simpler, quicker, and more affordable.
Fast fashion is a big deal all over the world. It's very well-liked for a variety of reasons. For consumers, it offers a variety of benefits. It was developed in response to the rising demand for fashionable clothing that is also reasonably priced. Unfortunately, there is a tremendous environmental cost associated with the overproduction and overconsumption of clothing that is made cheaply. Countless loads of used and unwanted garments are dumped in landfills every year. However, fast fashion has begun to suffocate our planet, as the alarming rates of garment production have rivalled the slow pace at which fabric decomposition occurs. UNEP (2018) estimates that 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions originate from the fashion industry, more than from all international flights and maritime shipping. About 60% of all materials used in the fashion industry are made from plastic.
This is where eco-friendly fashion becomes essential. Dressing well while being environmentally conscious has always been challenging, thanks to the development of sustainable clothing options and increased awareness about harmful industry practices. The term "eco-friendly fashion" refers to fashionable and sustainable clothing. This includes apparel and accessories that are produced and consumed with consideration for their long-term environmental impact.
Most sustainable brands invest in environmental protection campaigns by donating proceeds from purchasing eco-friendly clothing to carbon-reducing projects. One of the leading examples is Seacret.
Table of Contents
Choosing the right manufacturer - Teemill
Use of eco-friendly fabric & dyes
Use of ethical production
Transparency
Sustainable shipping and packaging
Reduction of carbon footprint
High quality production
Choosing the right manufacturer - Teemill
The best sustainable supplier hands down, Teemill is a reputable supplier known for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. They offer high-quality apparel made from organic and recycled materials, making them an excellent choice for businesses seeking environmentally conscious products. Additionally, Teemill, efficient production, and ethical manufacturing processes, making them a preferred supplier for those looking to align their brand with sustainable values.
Choosing the proper manufacturer is crucial for eco-friendly fashion, as they prioritize sustainable materials, ethical labor practices, and reduced waste. Local manufacturers minimize their carbon footprint, support regional economies, and promote transparency in the supply chain. Collaborating with these manufacturers fosters innovation and sustainability goals, positively impacting the fashion industry and the environment.
Seacret has chosen Teemill as their supplier. Teemill combines style, sustainability, and ethical principles to contribute to a more sustainable future for the fashion industry, whilst being a renowned leader within the sustainable fashion industry.
Use of eco-friendly fabric & dyes
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, which accounted for 52% of global fiber production in 2018, take hundreds of years to biodegrade. These materials are made from fossil fuels and emit 5.5 kg of CO2. To protect the environment, sustainable fashion brands should use recycled cotton, organic hemp, and organic linen. Natural fibers biodegrade faster, making them a better choice. Pure linen can break down in just two weeks.
Eco-friendly fashion requires using natural, plant-based, or low-impact synthetic dyes to minimize environmental impact, these dyes are biodegradable and non-toxic, reducing the fashion industry's ecological footprint. By adopting eco-friendly dyes, sustainable fashion brands can achieve vibrant colour palettes while preserving resources and promoting a sustainable approach to clothing production.
Teemill uses sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester, promoting soil health and water conservation while reducing waste.
Use of ethical production
Eco-friendly fashion prioritizes ethical production, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility, involving fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and equitable wages. Brands prioritize transparency and accountability in materials and manufacturing processes, upholding ethical standards. Eco-friendly fashion promotes gender equality, fair trade, and a sustainable, socially conscious ecosystem while supporting workers' well-being, preserving traditional craftsmanship, and empowering marginalized groups.
Teemill prioritizes ethical production practices, fair labor standards, and treating workers with respect and safe conditions. They partner with facilities that comply with labor regulations and offer fair wages and benefits.
Transparency
A reputable eco-friendly manufacturer will be transparent about its supply chain, providing information about the origin of materials and the production process. Transparency helps consumers make informed choices and ensures that sustainable claims are backed by evidence.
Teemill prioritizes transparency in production, offering detailed information about suppliers, manufacturing processes, and material origins, building trust and empowering informed choices.
Sustainable shipping and packaging
Sustainable shipping promotes eco-friendly practices in the fashion industry by using low-emission transportation methods and optimizing routes to reduce carbon footprints. Choose eco-friendly packaging materials like recycled or biodegradables to minimize waste and landfill burden. Right-sized packaging reduces space and material usage, while brands promote recycling through labelling and responsible disposal. Fashion companies can reduce their environmental impact by adopting sustainable shipping and packaging practices.
Teemill uses eco-friendly packaging materials like recycled and biodegradable materials to reduce waste and ensure easy recycling or compostability. They use right-sized packaging, minimizing excess material and debris.
Reduction of carbon footprint
Eco-friendly fashion reduces fossil fuel demand by incorporating sustainable practices like organic and recycled materials, local sourcing, and renewable energy sources. This approach minimizes carbon emissions in manufacturing facilities and combats climate change, promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
Teemill uses renewable energy, a closed-loop system, and local sourcing for production, reducing fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. They prioritize sustainability through transparent communication and promote a low-carbon fashion industry.
High quality production
A sustainable clothing brand requires high-quality products that last longer than disposable ones. This involves using durable materials, stitching, zippers, buttons, thread, and fasteners to reduce waste and pass it down through generations. A sustainable product can be used repeatedly. To reinforce eco-conscious efforts, offer accessible repair services and teach people how to take better care of their purchases. Proper washing and storage can prolong the life of clothes, reducing waste and reducing the need for frequent replacements. By promoting sustainable practices, businesses can reduce waste and encourage a more sustainable fashion industry.
To meet their high standards, Teemill implements rigorous quality control procedures at every production stage, from material sourcing to the final product.