While it may be easier for new designers and businesses to adopt a new “code of conduct”, there are a several practices that established designers and business owners could adopt now to in order to reduce their impact on the environment. Below, ethical fashion designer Elena Garcia provides 10 of the simplest ways to make your business more ethically conscious:
Reduce your energy and water consumption –Installing installation panels and using energy saving devices can dramatically reduce your energy consumption.
Reduce your use of paper - Always recycle and use the back of papers for note taking drawing or even printing. Buy FC certified paper and stationery from an eco suppliers such as Green Stat and be proud of your recycled envelopes and parcels!!!
Use eco-friendly inks for your printing – Companies like www.alocalprinter.com uses vegetable inks that have a much lower impact on the environment.
Reduce your use of plastic- use recycled paper garment tags attached with string. Re-use plastic bags and garment covers is an easy way to save money and benefit the environment.
Off-set your travel and energy use- Take advantage of companies like CoCo2 (http://www.coco2.org) that help you offset your travel and energy consumption
Use less cotton- Cotton growth requires an incredible amount of water and should only be grown in rain fed areas. Alternative fibers like hemp, linen, bamboo, nettle and mulberry trees for silk are much better for the environment, as they do not have a harmful affect on the soil. If you want to be as ethical as possible, try to use these fibers alone. However, mixing these fibers with cotton is less harmful than using cotton alone. If you decide to carry on using cotton, encourage suppliers to produce it organically. The price for organically produced cotton and its accessibility will only reduce when enough people demand it!
Deal with your textile waste- Many new designers use textile waste in their collections. Collaborate with them and dispose of your waste responsibly. One of my projects www.sewlastseason.com tackles the excess production and waste. Have a look for updates.
Enter into fair-trade or similar agreements with your suppliers
Buy pesticide free fabrics
Take care to find out how your fabric is produced and the processes involved - Ask questions; find out how your fabrics are made and make suggestions. Most designers don’t know anything about the fabric making processes so make an effort to learn about eco-friendly dyes.
(http://www.elenagarciastudio.com/)
0 Response to "Make your brand eco-friendly in 10 easy steps"
Post a Comment