What is Cleantech, and How it Helps to Push for Sustainability in Fashion?
“Not a day passes for me without seeing the many ways in which digital technology can advance peace, human rights and sustainable development for all.”
António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations
Sustainability is a complex concept. The most frequently cited definition comes from the UN World Commission on Environment and Development: “sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs.”
Our planet is tearing towards disaster, and our collective desire for cheap button-downs is one reason why. The fashion industry is accountable for 8 to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions, to say nothing of its water use and exploitative labour exercises in countries across the world.
Generally speaking, the idea is defined as a set of ecologically secure and stable factors and principles that refer to the long-term perspective for social and economic development.
The term “Sustainable Technology” or “Cleantech” describes technologies that enable more practical use of natural resources and significantly reduced environmental impact, among other technological benefits.
Although there is currently no comprehensive standardized definition for Sustainable Technology (such as the SIC code), some characteristics define Sustainable Technology, like shifting from non-renewable resources to renewable ones. Also, the technology prevents emissions, contamination and/or negative environmental impact.
With an unparalleled COVID-19 global health crisis, the artificial intelligence and analytics part is expected to see a significant growth rate, owing to the growing adoption of artificial intelligence and analytics among manufacturing to resume their supply chain processes.
Global green technology and sustainability market size was valued at $8.79 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $48.36 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 24.3% from 2020 to 2027.
Technically speaking, every digital business wants to make a difference, so it is opting to become environmentally sustainable. Working towards cleaning up their supply chain, fashion brands are implementing technology to optimize the entire process, from design to finished garments. Additionally, brands are now supporting programs and new startups that tackle both water use and chemical use in the manufacturing process, while new-age bio-designers are adding methods that use bacteria-secreted pigments to dye fabric.
Besides its garment recycling programs, retail giants such as Levi’s and Adidas have turned to technology to develop biodegradable materials to replace synthetic and other damaging fabrics. Adidas, which has initiated programs that use nylon reclaimed from confiscated nets from illegal fishing operations reprocessed the material and created a shoe containing polyester from recycled soft drink bottles.
Another excellent example of a startup revolutionizing the sustainable fashion industry is Agraloop. They collect waste from fibrous food-crop production, including hemp, flax, banana and pineapple, transforming these into fibres for textiles. Processed using conventional cotton machinery, this new material offers a biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fibres.
Technology has served the fashion industry to meet increasing global demands by making production more effective. But with the arrival of digitization, recently developed software, bio-engineered materials, recyclable fabrics and fully automatic production processes, brands’ investment in technology knows no limits.
All these companies are striving for is a future where petroleum and plastic are replaced by biodegradable materials that do not leave waste behind. Technology has helped the fashion industry meet growing global demands by making production more efficient. And while I support each company’s efforts to reach their eco goals, improving fashion’s sustainability is definitely a team effort. It might also require the support of industry influencers, most of whom are cultivated through eco-friendly organizations.
