Sustainability Articles

100% POLYESTER. Hidden away on the inside of a T-shirt on a tiny tag, written in even tinier text. Increasingly, polyester has found a place in our daily lives – becoming a part of our clothes, hats, bed linens, towels, curtains, furniture upholstery, and more.

If clothing sustainability policy were improving everyday life, what would we expect to see?
Fewer people unable to replace worn-out essentials? Less reliance on emergency clothing provision? Better access to adequate clothing for work, school, weather and daily life?

The concept of sustainable development did not begin as an environmental policy tool. It was introduced as a framework for balancing environmental protection, economic activity and social wellbeing.

This article considers what this is, where it sits and how it is measured.

Sustainability is as much a social issue as it is an environmental one. According to WRAP, “extending the lifespan of clothing by just nine months could reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by up to 20%, saving £5 billion in resources annually.”

The circular economy is increasingly presented as a solution to environmental pressure from production and consumption. In UK policy discussions, it appears in government strategies, waste policy documents and industry initiatives as a framework for reducing waste, conserving resources and lowering emissions.

Valentine’s Day has cemented itself as a key event in the commercial calendar. With the UK expected to spend over £2 billion to celebrate, the onus is on both retailer and consumer to celebrate love in a sustainable and ethical way.