Fashion Forward: How Tech is Targeting Waste & Pollution in the $2.4T Fashion Industry

This article examines how fashion companies are leveraging technology and alternative materials to make clothing production and consumption more sustainable. It looks at how companies are using plant-based textiles, bacteria-based dyes, and blockchain-based supply chains to increase transparency. It also discusses how regenerative agriculture and the circular economy can help reduce the industry's environmental impact. Natural fibers such as cotton are very resource-intensive, and so companies are exploring agricultural waste products, such as pineapple leaves and orange rinds, to create more eco-friendly textile alternatives. Regenerative farming and the circular economy offer promise for the industry, but there are challenges to overcome, such as the cost of certification and ensuring that customers are willing to participate in return programs. With increasing consumer demand for more sustainable products, the fashion world is taking steps to lessen its negative impact on the environment. Automation could reduce emissions and improve labor conditions, but it could also put people out of work. Blockchain technology could create a transparent supply chain and build brand trust, while biotechnologies such as bioyarn, lab-grown leather, and microbial dyes could reduce the industry's reliance on synthetic fibers and chemical dyes. Additionally, the secondhand economy and clothing rental services are becoming increasingly popular, emphasizing access over ownership and offering budget-friendly alternatives to buying designer clothes. These advances could help the fashion industry become more sustainable in the future.