Will Fashion become Greener post Covid-19?

The global pandemic has now permeated all aspects of life on our planet. From job losses, strains on our resources to changes in our shopping habits. One really does wonder if we will ever get back to pre-pandemic life?

Sustainability has been a buzz word that’s grown in popularity, but as the pandemic continues, more and more business professionals can clearly see the need for a stronger link between sustainability and how their businesses operate.

Photo by: ev

A breath of fresh air

We all know the polluting effects factories and petrol vehicles have on our global eco system. It is therefore noteworthy that during the initial phase of the pandemic, the world’s most polluting cities saw a 60% reduction of deadly particulate matter after just 3 weeks of lockdowns! This seemingly miraculous reduction has demonstrated the possibility for change and businesses are now answering the wakeup call to focus on greener strategies or get left behind.

Companies around the world are using the pandemic as an opportunity to revaluate their energy, water and paper consumption. For instance, in the case of energy, audits are being performed to understand the consumption patterns of buildings and facilities which will allow business segments to pinpoint energy sapping machinery that contribute to hefty power bills.

Fashion feeding frenzy

Major retail brands have suffered plummeting sales as a result of our curtailed shopping habits during the pandemic. With the customary overproduction of cheap garments paused, a platform for sustainable fashion brands has emerged, offering consumers the choice to shop for sustainable brands that offer value for money, comfort and quality instead of seemingly insane discounts.

When we started Eco Staples, we discovered that there was a lack of sustainable T-shirts to choose from. We saw the words “eco friendly” on many labels, but on closer inspection, these claims would not hold up. If you visit our page about Bamboo Lyocell, you will see a great example of where companies tout Bamboo Viscose clothing as “eco friendly”, when in reality Viscose is an extremely polluting fabric production process and harmful to the health of workers that make it. In fact, the only thing eco friendly was the bamboo itself!

Making the switch to sustainable products

As more of us now work from home, it is likely that the demand for formal work wear will diminish.  It comes as no surprise that clothing has been the hardest hit product during the course of this pandemic as the relentless pace at which we were buying has abruptly come to an end. It begs the question, does buying more really make us happy?

If you ask a psychologist, they’ll say buying more stuff is not making us happier people. So, you could say the pandemic has presented us with a golden opportunity to really think about what our true needs are. Will this be the time we change the brands we buy from and go after more longer lasting, ethical & sustainable products? Change can be difficult for some, but the writing is on the wall for fast fashion!

So why should you support a sustainable brand? These businesses are run by people who have a passion for what they produce and are keen to learn what you think of their brand. You can help them grow and feel good that you played a part in not only their success, but the realisation of a greener future for our planet.