How Fashion Brands Can Go Genuinely Clean with Sustainable Choices
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Going toxin-free is all the rage in the beauty and fashion industry. Consumers can find entire product lines devoted to items that don’t use harsh chemicals and promise to be skin-safe. Interestingly, these products are also typically much pricier than regular (toxic?) ones. It arouses skepticism about the genuineness of the claims.
Undoubtedly, eliminating toxins from our everyday lives is more pressing than ever. From ultra-processed foods to the air we breathe and the clothes we wear, outlets are at risk of exposure to unwanted chemicals. Some clothing brands, such as Pact and Patagonia, endeavor to avoid toxic dyes and use organically made products.
At the same time, numerous companies use toxin-free as a gimmicky label, doing only the bare minimum toward the cause. So, how can fashion brands deepen their commitment to eradicating toxins from the supply chain?
Persevere to Make Manufacturing Sustainable
The fashion industry is infamous for contributing to waste. Admittedly, fast fashion retailers are the worst culprits in this scenario.
According to Good on You, fast fashion emphasizes quick production and trend mapping. It exerts immense pressure on the environment. It also promotes a throwaway culture, where repeating an outfit is seen as a mistake, and buying new clothes every season is mandatory.
Working on sustainability is paramount for eliminating toxins from your apparel. Focusing on sustainable fashion brings forth concepts like circular design or creating sustainable items to use (and reuse) for an extended period.
According to the Sustainable Fashion Forum, designers should create items that have an enduring emotional appeal for users, encouraging them to wear them for a long time. Repairable clothes and items that one can disassemble at the end of their useful life are also core tenets of the circular design philosophy.
When you have made manufacturing practices sustainable, you don’t need to rely on cheaper but damaging alternatives to speed up production or deliveries. Likewise, companies learn to minimize waste and utilize recycled materials for their items. Avoid Using Toxic Dyes
Many companies still use dyes that contain toxic chemicals such as tributyl phosphate. These chemicals can cause skin reactions and asthma. The Guardian reports that some also have links to reproductive toxicity and reduced immunity.
Some dyes may also contain PFAS, chemicals connected to various cancers. These chemicals have plagued those working in manufacturing and firefighting for years. In fact, an ongoing PFAS lawsuit aims to bring justice and accountability to many who have faced the impact of these forever chemicals, which never exit the natural cycle.
As a considerate fashion entrepreneur, you should make an effort to refrain from such questionable ingredients in your apparel. Besides dyes, harmful chemicals may be present in items such as water-repellent jackets and outdoor gear.
According to TorHoerman Law, business owners must persevere to bring greater accountability in their practices. It is essential from a business and humanitarian standpoint.
When striving for sustainability, brands should consider toxin-free options, like natural dyes. For example, plant-based dyes are better options than synthetic ones. Moreover, the latter may also have harmful side effects for consumers with sensitive skin. WHYY enumerates several natural dyes that can lend vibrant colors to clothing: from marigolds for yellow to madder root for reds and avocado pits for pale pink.
Another consideration is the extensive use of water in dyeing. Responsible brands must limit the use of water, focusing on conservation instead.
Consider Cleaner Materials
Ultimately, a fashion brand can only be as clean as its materials. Besides dyes, companies must also consider the fabrics they use to manufacture clothes.
For example, many prominent brands have switched to 100% organic cotton. The WireCutter notes that it is a lower-impact crop that does not use synthetic herbicides and pesticides. It is also better for soil health, even though it may not feel as soft or look as good as regular cotton.
Even so, the source of the organic cotton also matters. Fashion brands should aim to purchase traceable cotton to have complete accountability for its journey from the farm to the retailer.
More clean fabrics include hemp and linen. On the other hand, fabrics like polyester, a common choice for fast fashion companies, are questionable. Polyester production requires fossil fuels, and the material itself can shed off harmful microfibers. “Classic” choices like leather are connected to deforestation and toxins from tanning.
One way to verify materials is to seek globally recognized certifications, like the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label. This certification covers everything from material sourcing to water sustainability.
Prioritize Fair Labor Practices
Inspecting the company’s labour practices is indispensable for producing non-toxic products. The cleanest items will be ethically questionable if the organisation practices worker discrimination and does not ensure fair practices.
For example, many workers in fashion manufacturing work in abject conditions on low wages. They routinely face exposure to toxic chemicals, experiencing health issues they cannot tackle due to their low income and lack of a security blanket.
The problem is rampant in Bangladesh, which supplies garments to global brands. Many workers in the fashion industry remain poorly paid despite widespread protests. Recent reports suggest that Bangladeshi garment workers earn the lowest wages globally—around $113 a month, whereas the local living wage is around $460.
Companies can step forward to rectify the situation by partnering with dependable suppliers who are transparent about their sourcing. Non-toxic fashion isn’t only about cleaning up your clothes and overall actions.
The increasing manifestations of climate change have made it impossible to ignore the need for sustainability and “cleanliness” in every field, including fashion. Removing toxins that pollute our water and soil in this glamorous industry has become a pressing need. It is the only way we can pave the way for a stable future for our planet, one that is not petrified of adverse weather events and health epidemics.
We hope this Campus Fashion – Essential Wardrobe Staples for University Learners gave you a good starting point for you to build something that stand the test of times. If you are looking to start a clothing brand, we recommend that you read our guide – how to start a clothing brand.
If you have already started a fashion brand and you are looking for suppliers, do read our guide on how to find clothing manufacturers and do not forget to download our checklists. If you want to get in touch with us, please connect with us here.
We also have a separate section – Commonly asked questions about the most expensive clothing brands, it is worth checking out.
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About Author
Prakhar is an architect and writer driven by an insatiable curiosity for technology and history. His keen interest in the ever-evolving tech world leads him to avidly absorb the latest trends and innovations.
