Fashion club director Mary Alice Rogoff discussed sustainability and ethics in fashion during an interview about how clothing production around the world is affecting the environment and workers today.
Sustainability and ethics in fashion are becoming major concerns as the clothing industry produces garments faster and cheaper than ever. The topic affects people globally as consumers begin to question where their clothes come from and how they are made.
“Sustainability is when, for example, there are lots of thrift shops and instead of tossing aside your clothes you can donate them,” Rogoff said. “They take them and recycle them instead of throwing them out.”
Sustainability is the practice or idea that humans must interact with the environment or practice meeting human needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs and also ensures there will be enough resources left for them. Ethics is a system of moral principles that helps distinguish between right and wrong.
One of the biggest issues connected to fashion is fast fashion, the rapid production of inexpensive clothing meant to follow trends and be replaced quickly. Rogoff said the low prices often come at a cost.
“To make the clothing it’s at a lower price point,” Rogoff said. “Some countries are not paying their employees and they just produce.”
Clothes are made all over the world, and the fast pace of production leads to large amounts of waste. Some companies also participate in greenwashing, which is when brands advertise products as environmentally friendly even if they are not.
“That’s not ethically correct,” Rogoff said.
Rogoff believes consumers can help solve the issue by making more sustainable choices when buying and disposing of clothing.
“More thrifting, more recycling, selling garments,” Rogoff said.
Using natural materials and supporting companies that encourage recycling can also reduce waste. As more people learn about the environmental and ethical effects of fashion, sustainability may become more important in the future.
