Sustainability

• World population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2040. Many have not experienced mass consumerism and deserve the right to. We must shift to a sustainable system to allow equality.

• Many of the clothes we wear today are made from synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester. These are made from petrochemicals, which are very polluting to the environment, causing global warming. They are also non-biodegradable. Viscose is another artificial fibre, made from wood pulp. Wood pulp is treated with toxic chemicals such as caustic soda and sulphuric acid.

• Non-organic cotton uses more pesticide per cotton plant than almost any other crop in the world. Some pesticides are carcinogenic and cause illness, even death, after lengthy exposure. The pesticides also affect local eco-systems, killing certain plants and animals and causing an imbalance.

• The chemicals used to grow cotton remain in the fabric and are released during the lifetime of the garments. They are known to affect people wearing clothes too.

• In many ways, the economic crisis of 2008 is the epitome of non-sustainability. Now is the time for corporations to bring fresh ideas, knowledge, collaborative resources and innovation together in ways that link sustainability, with opportunities for sustainable, global economic growth.

• Sustainable production educates the world, and particularly newly developing countries, into not making the same industrial mistakes as developed economies.

• Sustainability is a key part of Corporate Social Responsibility and has a positive impact on the corporate image and brand image, on recruiting and retaining personnel, and therefore on the operating results. People want to work for responsible companies.  

• Ethical sourcing is remembered. Are you manufacturing in a future market?

• Stakeholders from Governments to consumers will demand more transparency from corporations, why play catch up?

• Public sectors in developed economies are increasingly opting for sustainable uniforms – can we expect legislation…

• Being responsible is fashionable. We have to think of our surroundings. Sustainability is, above all, about not being ignorant…