The fast fashion industry allows shoppers to stay on the latest trend without breaking the bank in just a click of a button. However, this rapid and high-volume production nature is quickly taking its toll, making the fashion industry a significant contributor to the climate crisis.
Currently the industry is responsible for 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases annually and if nothing changes, this figure is projected to increase by up to 50% by 2030.
Alongside this, it’s estimated that 2,700 litres of fresh water is required to produce a single cotton t-shirt. To add perspective, that’s the amount of drinking water that one person needs for 2.5 years!
This type of consumerism also leads to a devastating amount of waste. In the US alone, 11.3 million tons of textile waste is reported each year, with 85% ending up in landfills. It then takes over 200 years for these garments to decompose.
So how do we solve this problem?
Although technology has played a role in fuelling fast fashion, it also holds the potential to address many of the sustainability challenges facing the fashion industry.
That said, we’ve been doing some research into innovative ways that new and developing technology is likely to help out in the future.
Much of the fashion waste that ends up in landfill comes from overproduction and overstocking. Effective inventory management that uses data analytics to analyse trends and accurately predict demand, would allow retailers to only order what they need, reducing the risk of overstocking.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and other tracking systems could also help to improve inventory control by providing a view of inventory levels across locations, while also reducing waste from sending the wrong product or too many products to a retailer.
Software that automates the ordering process could streamline stock replenishment and allow for new stock to only be ordered when needed.
Two promising emerging technologies in sustainable fashion that could work hand in hand are 3D body scanning and 3D printing.
3D body scanning and virtual try-on technologies may seem futuristic but this technology could be used to see how a garment will fit before it’s produced, or even to create custom fits for consumers.
Brands can then use 3D printing for on-demand production, meaning clothes will be made to order without the need for excess stock.
This will also help decrease the number of returns from online orders, which often end up in landfill due to the high cost of sorting and repackaging - an expense that can exceed the cost of producing a new garment. As a result, this approach contributes to waste reduction as well as reducing overproduction.
The use of AI to identify different types of fabric could streamline the fabric separation process, making it quicker and easier to recycle garments.
Alongside this, advanced recycling technologies are currently being developed that can break down textiles into their raw materials. Transforming waste into a resource that can be used to make new fabrics, rather than sending it to the landfill helps to create a circular fashion economy.
Blockchain is like a digital notebook that everyone can see, no one can secretly change, and once you write something in it, it’s there forever.
Blockchain technology is key to transparency and traceability in the fashion supply chain. It enables brands to monitor the origins of materials, uphold ethical standards, and verify sustainable sourcing practices throughout production.
For instance, a brand could use blockchain to generate a QR code on a garment, allowing customers to trace the product’s entire lifecycle, from raw materials to the manufacturing facility. This not only helps minimise waste but also allows consumers to make more informed choices.
These cutting-edge technologies can work together to help build a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.
At MCD Systems, protecting our planet and driving sustainable innovation is extremely important to us. We’re dedicated to developing technology that supports greener practices and paves the way for a more sustainable future.
Explore how MCD Systems can develop customised solutions and help you integrate innovative technology into your business. Get in touch.
