Eco-friendly fashion is quite a popular term in recent years. This term is used in the fashion industry simply to manufacture clothes while considering the environmental impact as well as the health of the consumers and the Laborers. This term is also becoming highlighted in Bangladesh.
In the fashion industry, there are several materials like synthetic fiber, natural thread, animal skin etc. But in the eco-friendly fashion industry, it emphasizes organic materials like wool, linen which are grown naturally without pesticides. The production process needs to be laborer friendly.
This practice in the fashion industry is becoming popular in western world. Brands like Nike, H&M are promoting sustainable fashion products. Bangladesh is also walking in their footsteps as many local brands and garment industry are supporting and embedding sustainability in the fashion industry.
In the RMG( Ready made garment) industry, Bangladesh is the second largest exporter in the world. According to UNEP, this industry is responsible for 10% carbon emissions annually. So Bangladesh, being “the textile capital of the world” can contribute to controlling carbon emission.
- Slow fashion can be a solution for sustainable fashion.
In fast fashion, people buy clothes from stores even if they don’t need those, maybe on sales or discount prices. This can cause a huge waste of clothes and material which is around 92 million tonnes. This wastage can be reduced by slow fashion. In this concept, people buy clothes without following fast trends. It causes less harm to the workers and the environment. Because of this, people are getting interested in slow fashion.
- Fast fashion is also responsible for 20% of global water waste.
To produce clothes with changing trends, a huge amount of water is wasted. Only eco-friendly industry policy can change this scenario. In Bangladesh, there are 200 Green Factories, which maintain the labor policy and make sustainable garment materials. Beximco is one the pioneering companies to promote sustainable garment products. As people are getting aware of the slow fashion, green and ethical fashion industry, they are buying from these particular brands more often than others.
- Consumers are concerned and aware of green fashion more than ever.
Brands like Colors Dhaka, Z&Z are promoting eco-friendly fashion. They are using natural threads with a safe working environment and non toxic fabric. There are other brands like Aarong, Khut who are promoting natural and traditional clothing materials. Aarong is known for their traditional handloom and cotton clothes.
As Bangladeshi consumers are being aware of the negative impacts of fast fashion,they are opting to buy clothes made from eco-friendly materials.
- Natural and handmade jewelry is getting a new dimension in the fashion industry.
Renowned brands are advertising sustainable and natural jewelry made of threads, plants instead of plastic. Many online and offline nature based jewelry shops are popular among the Bangladeshi consumers. Hair bands, neck pieces, bracelets, hand bags and other accessories are demanding natural handmade products.
Green industrialization has an impactful stand for water wastage reduction, land fertility and carbon emission reduction.
Though there is awareness and concern among the Bangladeshi consumers regarding the eco-friendly fashion industry, there are still around 3500 fast fashion garments in Bangladesh.
It will take more awareness to reduce the effect of fast fashion and fast changing trends. For this, more sustainable fashion brands and shops are needed to be opened.
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Writer,
Nusrat Jahan Sonia
Intern,
Content Writing Department
YSSE