Over the last 30 years the production of polyester increased by nearly 900%. Roughly 60% of the clothing you find in stores today is made of plastic. A figure expected to rise to 75% by 2030.
On average Europeans use nearly 26 kilos of textiles and throw away about 11 kilos of them every year. Which is either burned, dumped on landfills, or shipped overseas.
Each year, we use resources as if we have 1.7 Earths. One thing is clear: we have to act and strive for a systemic change: environmentally, socially and economically. Redefining what we use, how we use it, and how we treat others.
planet-centric
Strategy and design lay at the core and should be sustainable. By working with a set of strategy and design principles that centralizes the planet’s well-being, and using what’s available wisely, we can not only (re)create products and services that are environmentally friendly and regenerative, but are also ethical, made to last and profitable.
what is fair
Virtually everybody wanted more stuff. Convenience has become a given. However, the inconvenient truth is that our daily lifestyle, production, and consumption harm vulnerable populations, greatly impacting millions of lives, particularly in the Global South.
new economy
Traditional funding strategies and equity splits rely on speculation, negotiation skills, and the rule of maximum growth. I’m sorry, but growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell. It has rarely resulted in healthy company structures and happy founders.
The citizens of 2050 are being taught an economic mindset that is rooted in the textbooks of 1950, which in turn are based on the theories of 1850.
Kate Raworth,
Doughnut Economics
Where do you start? Key is to find out what works for you and actually fits your company’s mission. It is possible to raise money with the right partners to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.
changing regulations
In 2019 the European Commission introduced the European Green Deal (EGD): a package of policies that define Europe’s strategy to reach net zero emissions and become a resource-efficient economy by 2050.
The Strategy looks at the entire lifecycle of textile products and proposes coordinated actions to change how we produce and consume textiles. All sectors of the economy will be affected by the EGD, and these policies include both binding and voluntary measures.
ethics
People don’t expect brands to instantly become perfect in sustainability, but they do want to know where you stand. Key to this is being radically transparent and ethical.
Visualize and explain your sourcing and production chain: What materials are used, where they’re made, and who makes them. Keep customers informed and let them know where you can improve.
Honest business ethics should be at the core of any strategy. Principles that go beyond the law, providing a trustworthy foundation for your team and customers.
Nobody’s perfect, but we can always do better.