Panel discussion: Who plays a role in making fashion more sustainable?

Moderated by Sara Cifani

Open CSR Meetup #1, June 18th, 2014

What is ‘sustainable fashion’?

“Sustainable fashion is an approach to the design, sourcing and manufacturing

of clothing which maximises benefits to people and communities

while minimising impact on the environment.”

SOURCE: http://www.ethicalfashionforum.com/the-issues/ethical-fashion

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What are the main issue areas in the fashion industry?

}  Environmental issues }  Resource use (e.g. raw materials, water and energy)

}  Social issues

}  Working conditions }  Fair wages }  Human Rights

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Environmental issues – Cotton production

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}  requires huge amounts of water

}  requires intensive use of insecticides and pesticides

}  may lead to the destruction of entire eco-systems (e.g. The Aral lake)

SOURCE:  www.envis.maharashtra.gov  

Environmental issues – Wool production

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}  Increases CO2 emission

}  Causes desertification of intensive farming areas

}  Pollutes water reserves due to the sheep’s manure

}  Often implies animal mutilations and suffering

}  Endangers native species (i.e. Kangaroos)

SOURCE:  www.peta.org/issues/animals-­‐used-­‐for-­‐clothing/wool-­‐industry/  

Environmental issues – Dyeing

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}  Requires most part of the water used in apparel manufacturing

}  Causes from 17 to 20% of global industrial water pollution

}  Fosters social conflict with local communities deprived of clean water

SOURCE:  www.not-­‐home.com/2012/03/inside-­‐slums-­‐of-­‐mumbai.html  

Environmental issues - Waste

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}  Pre-consumer waste }  Fabric clipping

}  Post-consumer waste }  Upcycling }  Second Hand

SOURCE:  hIp://sustainablesartorial.blogspot.de/2012_06_01_archive.html  

Social issues –Working conditions

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}  Safety and health

}  Vocational training

}  Equality of opportunity and treatment

}  Freedom of Association and collective bargaining

SOURCE:  hIp://thefableists.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/skc04.jpg  

Social issues – Fair wages

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}  Fair salary vs. minimum wage

}  Asia Floor Wage ($360.86 a month)

}  Bangladeshi officials recently raised the minimum wage from a $38 to $68 a month.

SOURCE:  www.humanosphere.org/human-­‐rights/2014/04/can-­‐fair-­‐trade-­‐clothing-­‐prevent-­‐next-­‐factory-­‐tragedy/  

Social issues – Human rights

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}  Indigenous and tribal people

}  Slavery

SOURCE:  hIp://news.naQonalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131222-­‐amazon-­‐kayapo-­‐indigenous-­‐tribes-­‐deforestaQon-­‐environment-­‐climate-­‐rain-­‐forest/  

Panel

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Who plays a role in making fashion more sustainable?

Speakers: }  Gabriela Kozicki (Former project manager at Redress) }  Anita Heiberg (Founder of 13dresses)

Event pictures

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