5 Ways to Make a Sustainable Impact in your Business Today.
I saw a brilliant post on Instagram a few days ago asking for nuanced perspectives into what brands could be considered sustainable and how do we bench mark it in the age of greenwashing. Ultimately it’s really difficult to be sustainable in fashion because we have a crumbling infrastructure that is designed to churn out more product cheaper. Sometimes it can feel like such a minefield you just don’t know where to start. So in the back of this post here are 5 things you can do today that will start you off into becoming a more sustainable product business. And if you still aren’t sure about starting these, please send me an email via the button top right.
1) Ensure you have copies of up to dates audits on all the factories you use. If they’re new to you its good to have the last 3 years (where possible, Covid did play havoc with manufacturers being able to be audited). Cross reference what they’ve improved upon and what they’ve let slip. If they don’t pay living wages yet (and many don’t), you can check how close they are to living wages through either the International Labour Organisations website, or the Clean Clothes Campaign. Understanding the percentage difference will help you build a financial plan to increase the amount you are paying them over a time period to match up to living wages. That plan could help them navigate price rises to the other brands that work with. You can use any preceding audits to ensure the price increases are going to the sewers.
Build a corrective action plan with reasonable timelines. Good CAP’s will have give a score for the level of severity the problem is, actions to be taken immediately; which is used for things like blocked fire escapes, ensuring fuse boxes are locked etc, getting the first aid kit fully stocked etc. Actions to be taken over the next month; which is for having a union representative voted in or engaging employees in other matters, replacing any equipment that may need to be ordered in, for example hand held metal detectors etc. Actions to be taken over the next 3 months; these are most often related to building regulations or any local regulations that need updating. And finally 12 month actions; this is for things like increasing wages to living wages. A good CAP will require evidence from the supplier and will work with them to ensure they’re hitting their goals. Having a strong financial plan and corrective action plan with your supplier helps build long term relationships.
2) Make sure you have visibility on your whole supply chain. And I promise it is not as hard as the larger brands make you think! It may also bring up opportunities to consolidate some of your items which will bring about its own financial rewards. If your supplier doesn’t seem keen to share then Non Disclosure and Buying Agreements will help alleviate any concerns they have that you could cut them out. When it comes to chemical suppliers for dyes and resin suppliers for polymers, there really isn’t that many around the world. And getting to know your supply chain can open up your brand to so many more developments and innovations.
Image: Unsplash
3) Have a plan for your fabrics (or components if you’re non apparel). There really is no reason to be using virgin polyester in this day and age. Polyamides and elastane are slightly trickier as there is a finite number available, compared to polyester anyway. The price difference on products is virtually negligible. And if that price increase does both you, spending time reviewing your patterns, lay plans and markers will most likely reduce your consumption to mitigate those costs.
Start building phase out options over the next 10 years to switch fabrics and trims to ones that are more sustainable. Can you start reducing how many multiple blends you use and opt for mono component garments? How can you offset your carbon? Where can you start reducing waste now and how do you build on that over the next 10 years? Review this every quarter like you would your financial plans.
Image: Unsplash
4) Reduce and change your packaging. There are so many great options out there are the moment, you just have to decide on your direction and start emailing! A lot of the work has already been done for you through FMG.
5) Invest money in something outside of increasing your business profits. Be that charitable causes, in interest free loans for your factories to update their infrastructure to reduce their environmental impact, or in innovations happening within the industry.
These 5 actions can be taken today and they will empower you, those in your organisation and your suppliers. The first step is always the hardest, so if you need that support to take it, you know how to reach me.
