This year – last week, Muslims all over the globe were facing a dilemma as they celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the end of fasting month on April 22nd, while it falls in conjunction with Earth Day. This event holds immense cultural importance and joyful festivities.
By numbers, Morocco World News stated that Muslim population accounts to 2.1 billion with the majority being found in the Asia-Pacific region especially Indonesia with more than 250 million Muslims. GoodStats Indonesia recently reported that Indonesian Muslims frequently purchase new clothes as part of their tradition during this period to symbolize a fresh start and new beginnings. Approximately 90% of those surveyed plan on buying new clothing for themselves or their families while budgeting IDR1-3 million for these purchases; however, concerns arise regarding overconsumption and its environmental effects despite being a long-standing practice.
On the day of Eid al-Fitr, coinciding with Earth Day, it is crucial to emphasize the significance of sustainable fashion choices that promote responsible consumption and production methods. By opting for conscious and eco-friendly attire options during this festive time, we can take steps towards minimizing the severe effects caused by fast fashion on our environment while also celebrating joyous moments.
The negative environmental impacts
We must recognize fast fashion’s potentially adverse environmental impacts and acknowledge their responsibility to protect our planet. Ellen MacArthur Foundation and UNEP have provided compelling evidence that the textile industry’s carbon footprint now exceeds that of international aviation and shipping, amounting to a shocking 10% of global emissions. Moreover, its manufacturing practices contribute extensively to resource depletion and water pollution and emit harmful chemicals causing detrimental environmental effects. The impact doesn’t just end there; textile and apparel waste, when it reaches the end of its life cycle, presents a considerable hazard. Approximately 92 million tons of such waste is generated annually, which requires several generations to decompose fully.
What are some ways to contribute towards sustainable fashion?
Due to those reasons, we need to take action toward sustainable fashion. We must raise awareness and promote a balanced approach to utilizing raw materials while ensuring practices and ethical labor standards are upheld and, simultaneously, considering the profit margins to benefit the shareholders. Roading this change might not be easy, as the culture of consumption has become a part of many daily lives. Consumers are accustomed to buying new clothes frequently on various occasions and disposing of them just as quickly. However, we must understand how these actions affect our environment and take holistic steps toward more sustainable practices.
There are many ways to contribute towards sustainable fashion. Being conscious of our consumption and reducing it is one such approach. We can opt for owning fewer garments and fashion items that we wear for longer. Another alternative would be to acquire pre-owned clothes, trade apparel with acquaintances and relatives, and upcycle the old clothes. The approach not only lessens textile waste but also encourages circular economies. In recent times, customers have the choice of purchasing from emerging sustainable fashion labels – often local brands that use eco-friendly materials like hemp, organic cotton, and recycled polyester, amongst others and follow ethical labor practices. According to a report by The Roundup, the sustainable fashion market in the APAC region accounts for 36%, with young adults as a target. The report also states that the sustainable fashion market will be worth $10.1 billion by 2025. Furthermore, we can participate in sustainability efforts by joining movements such as Fashion Revolution, which advocates for transparency and ethical practices within the industry, encouraging buyers to hold brands accountable by asking questions like “Who made my clothes?”.
The emerging sustainable fashion labels in the APAC region
The APAC region has seen an emergence of sustainable fashion labels in recent years, with brands in various countries such as Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Australia.
The label Sejauh Mata Memandang (SMM) has gained popularity in Indonesia for its eco-friendly materials and traditional Indonesian weaving techniques. SMM’s collections feature pieces made from natural materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, and linen, while using hand-weaving and natural dyeing techniques reduces the environmental impact of the production process. To educate its current and attract more potential consumers, the brand participated in ARTJOG 2022 – a large-scale annual art fair and exhibition held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This event is highly esteemed as one of Southeast Asia’s most significant art happenings. The artwork presented by this renowned brand at the exhibition was entitled “Kisah Punah Kita,” which can be translated literally as “Our Vanishing Story.” Its captivating visuals offered an insightful reflection on how human activity impacts our natural world –challenging viewers’ thinking about these crucial issues.
In Hong Kong, The R Collective creates sustainable fashion pieces by upcycling fabric scraps and end-of-roll materials. The brand uses innovative techniques to produce new designs from discarded materials, reducing textile waste and promoting circular fashion. While in Australia, the emerging sustainable fashion label Outland Denim has made a name for itself by promoting ethical manufacturing practices and empowering vulnerable communities. Outland Denim not only prioritizes fashion but also takes a stand against human trafficking by empowering women who have been rescued from it. They provide these brave survivors with a chance to rebuild their lives through training and employment opportunities in the fashion industry. In addition to this social initiative, Outland Denim is also environmentally responsible – using sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester during production.
The bright future
The future depends on us taking the necessary steps to combat the climate crisis and one area where we can contribute to the positive impact is by embracing sustainable fashion. Should consumers proceed with the current practices and producers proceed with the Business as Usual (BAU); the fashion industry will account for 26% of the world’s carbon budget by 2050. Such an outcome cannot be tolerated. Nevertheless, if we adopt eco-friendly approaches to fashion production, it is plausible that this impact can be considerably minimized. It must be acknowledged that every garment made comes at a cost to our planet. According to research by Future Green, creating just one t-shirt generates 6.75 kg of carbon footprint equivalency, equal to driving a car for 35 kilometers! We cannot afford such waste and excess anymore. It’s time for all consumers and producers alike to take responsibility for understanding their actions’ impacts on our environment through conscious decision-making toward sustainability. It is not just about buying “green” products but also being aware of what goes into every garment production process – from raw material sourcing to the end of its life cycle.
Beyond the two significant events
In order to promote sustainable consumption and production, it is important to acknowledge that the issue of environmental degradation caused by overconsumption extends beyond just Eid al-Fitr and Earth Day celebrations. Many other cultural and religious festivities also involve purchasing new clothing such as Chinese New Year, Christmas, Diwali, among others. Therefore, educating people about sustainable fashion practices beyond these two significant events is necessary. It is crucial to encourage conscious consumption habits while reducing textile waste through supporting ethical and eco-friendly fashion brands. By adopting these approaches towards sustainability, it will enable a positive contribution towards conserving our environment for future generations. As consumers with considerable power in shaping the industry’s practices, making responsible choices could pave the way for a better and more environmentally sustainable future.
