Sustainability Pulse #100

Sustainability Trends & News Worth Exploring — November 10, 2024

Nov 10, 2024

This week’s lineup dives deep into what makes our world tick—especially regarding sustainable choices and the voices pushing for change.

First up, a jaw-dropping story on how 3M scientists were pressured to ignore "forever chemicals" in our bloodstream, only for the truth to bubble up decades later as we now struggle to scrub these toxins from our water.

Then, we’re shifting gears to fashion, where entrepreneurs are stepping up, determined to reshape a notoriously wasteful industry. But they can’t do it alone; they need buy-in from big brands and consumers like us who care about what’s behind the seams.

For those of you looking for tangible innovations, we've got the latest on textile recycling, a metal-free underwire bra shaking up the comfort game, and the surprising rise of thrift shopping in Saudi Arabia. Plus, Levi’s bold climate goals, fashion-forward Halloween costumes with a conscience, and Patagonia’s commitment to making “Worn Wear” part of every shopping experience.

So, get yourself a warm drink, and let's dive in; a lot is going on right now that’s important to be aware of.

Enjoy the reads!

How 3M Executives Convinced a Scientist the Forever Chemicals She Found in Human Blood Were Safe

Decades ago, Kris Hansen showed 3M that its PFAS chemicals were in people’s bodies. Her bosses halted her work. As the EPA now forces the removal of the chemicals from drinking water, she wrestles with the secrets that 3M kept from her and the world.

How Fashion Entrepreneurs Are Leading The Shift To Sustainability

The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters, using vast amounts of water and generating billions of tons of waste. A new wave of entrepreneurs aims to reshape it with sustainability at the forefront. However, their success relies on the support of major brands, consumers, and policymakers.

This company redesigned the underwire bra to actually be comfortable

The EBY bra that relieves back pain generated more than $10 million in revenue last year. Can the company replicate this success with its new metal-free underwire bra?

Textile recycling startup Circ inks new partnership to help it scale

Indian conglomerate Aditya Birla Group has invested up to 5,000 tonnes of Circ pulp per year for five years.

FORGET DEPOP: ARE CLOTHES SWAPS THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE FASHION?

Writer Genie Harrison asks the experts.

2 Mumbai Women Are Turning Textile Waste Into Fashion You Can Use for Years

In the heart of Mumbai, where the controlled chaos of city life often overshadows its environmental challenges, Prakruthi Rao and Akshara Mehta, co-founders of Juhu Beach Studio, are revolutionizing fashion by turning textile waste into durable, handcrafted products. With an all-women team, they emphasize sustainable practices and community support, creating timeless pieces that promote responsible consumption and redefine the relationship between style and sustainability.

Selenis, Syre to open textile-to-textile recycling plant in USby 2025

Speciality polyester producer Selenis and textile recycling company Syre have announced a strategic partnership to establish a textile-to-textile recycling plant in Cedar Creek, North Carolina by mid-2025.

Fashion Giant Levi’s Launches Inaugural Climate Transition Plan

Key Impact Points:

Ambitious Net Zero Goal: Levi Strauss & Co. unveils its first climate transition plan aiming for Net Zero emissions by 2050.
Strategic Focus Areas: The plan centers on improving operations, engaging the value chain, and ensuring robust governance.
Concrete Targets Set: Targets include a 90% reduction in scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2025 and a 42% reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030.

Three Rivers Fibershed connects people with local fiber

Like locally-grown food, people are seeking locally made clothing

Sustainability in focus at this year’s Climate Action Festival

This year’s themes are Climate Education, Nature Positive , and Community, and will include events that celebrate nature, sustainable fashion, art, and more.

The Festival has also been recognised by the prestigious UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards, and will be on the shortlist at this year’s award ceremony.

Shelf Life: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

The marine biologist and author of What If We Get It Right?

Kering, Centre for Sustainable Fashion launch governance initiative

Global luxury group Kering has partnered with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion to launch a program that will place sustainability at the center of fashion industry decision-making.

The Environmental Cost of Fashion

Fast fashion comes at an astonishing environmental and social cost. While the industry's impacts on pollution, water use, carbon emissions, human rights, and gender inequality are increasing, the need for a shift to sustainable fashion is evident. Organizations in Geneva and beyond are joining efforts to shift the fashion economy and foster international cooperation on the issue.

Mike Ashley slams 'desperate' Boohoo following CEO snub

Frasers, which owns brands including Sports Direct and Flannels, has built up a 27% share in Boohoo.

Last month, the group published a letter attacking Boohoo’s management and calling for Ashley to be appointed as a replacement for John Lyttle, the retailer's outgoing CEO.

BFC launches new report for driving commercial growth and creative success in fashion industry

Over the past decade, the sector has undergone significant changes and challenges, including the impact of Brexit, the rise of omnichannel strategies, a global pandemic, instability of wholesale models, and shifts in buying habits and consumer segments.

By Rotation to open biggest-ever fashion rental pop-up in London’s Mayfair

The five-story space at 31 Brook Street will showcase the brand’s most popular garments and accessories, "creating an immersive and interactive retail experience"

Goodwill, Reju, WM partner to bolster textile recycling in North America

A new initiative aims to build a sustainable model for textile recycling by diverting discarded textiles from landfills for resale or regeneration, helping it go to its next best use.

Patagonia adopts Trove resale Plugin

Patagonia has implemented Trove’s new Resale Plugin, a tool that allows the sustainable apparel brand to integrate pre-owned items alongside new products on its e-commerce site, offering shoppers a streamlined way to browse both options as part of its expanded Worn Wear programme.

Thrift stores in Saudi Arabia: A rising trend with surprising costs

RIYADH: Thrift shopping, long associated with affordable and unique finds, has taken Saudi Arabia by storm.

But what is catching the attention of fashion-conscious Saudis is not just the idea of sustainable fashion, but also the rising price tags attached to these second-hand gems.

Burberry sales expected to fall again amid luxury market slowdown

The company, which recently dropped out of the FTSE 100 because of its declining share price, will announce its first halfresults on 14 November.

Analysts expect sales to come in at about £1.1 billion for the first half, significantly lower than the same period last year.

Halloween costumes shine a light on labor and climate activists calling for fashion regulation

Wolverine, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, and characters from the film Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice are just some of the top Halloween costumes this year. Consumers are flocking online and to Spirit Halloween stores; however, approximately 35 million of these costumes will end up in landfills across the country before the New Year.

Harvey Nichols appoints Vogue and former Topshop fashion lead as Creative Director

Luxury fashion and beauty retailer Harvey Nichols has today announced the appointment of Kate Phelan to the newly created role of Creative Director, with immediate effect.

Temu under EU Commission probe

The Commission opened formal proceedings to determine if the fast fashion giant violated the Digital Services Act.

The Eric Musgrave Interview: Why Strathberry founders have bags of confidence

The woes affecting much of the luxury and premium accessory sector have bypassed fast-growing Scottish brand Strathberry, which has seen sales leap by 40% in the past year to reach £40m. The target now is to reach £100m over the next three years.

How EPR for textiles is contributing to a sustainable future for the textile industry

The EPR mandates that producers contribute to the collection, recycling, and processing of textile waste as soon as their products are brought to market. In essence, it makes them responsible for the entire life cycle of their products.

Is Fast Fashion Worth Recycling?

As the EU seeks to crack down on a growing glut of clothing waste, the rise of low-value ultra-fast-fashion, along with increased competition and geopolitical disruption, are putting pressure on the economics of collecting, sorting and recycling used textiles.

Corporate Social Responsibility Influencing Sustainability within the Fashion Industry. A Systematic Review

The study concludes that while CSR engagement in the fashion industry is increasing, challenges remain. Although some companies incorporate eco-friendly materials and worker protections, the broader implementation of CSR practices needs to be more consistent. Many companies still prioritize low-cost, fast-production models, which undermine sustainability efforts.

Key Takeaways

Comprehensive Analysis: The study provides a thorough overview of CSR and sustainability in fashion, covering economic, environmental, and social aspects.
Framework for Understanding CSR Levels: The micro-meso-macro framework helps contextualize CSR practices at different organizational levels.
Industry Insights: It identifies specific CSR trends and gaps, offering useful insights for academia, policymakers, and practitioners.
Limited Scope: The study is restricted to literature up to 2019 and may not capture recent shifts in CSR practices.
Focus on Large Companies: It emphasizes larger, more visible fashion brands, potentially overlooking small or emerging brands that may practice sustainability differently.
Lack of Quantitative Analysis: While qualitative, it lacks quantitative analysis on the actual impact of CSR measures on the environment or society.

Read Study

Sustainability Pulse Newsletter

Discussion about this post