We all know by now that we should be living more sustainably – at work, at home, in the way we produce, and in the way we consume. Governments and businesses worldwide have set out their economic sustainability goals, and consumers are demanding more from the companies they buy from more than ever. People are looking at manufacturers and providers in-depth to find out what their green policies are, what they are doing to reduce their environmental impact and how they are helping to move towards a more sustainable economy. Not only that, but they are willing to pay more for the products they see as ecologically sound.
The fashion and apparel industry is rife with areas that can be improved – doing so can give you a competitive advantage and help you stand out against a saturated marketplace. Tags, labels, hangers, and even barcodes can now be made sustainably using tree-free paper (recycled from cotton). Care and branding labels can be manufactured from recycled polyester or organic cotton, while tapes, elastics, and cords can all be produced from recycled polyester, organic cotton, and natural rubber. Even bags can be made from fully biodegradable, reusable, and non-toxic materials, proving that making your business more sustainable is achievable.
The key is to ensure that you are minimizing waste at every stage of the production, shipping, and sales process. Reusing, recycling, and ethically sourcing materials is the only way that we, as a society, can hope to make the most out of the ever-dwindling natural resources. As a result, we need to find a new way to think and work: no more plastics, no more pollutants, and no more non-renewables.
The best part for your business? Consumers that are scrutinizing the products they buy and the companies they buy from will flock to you. If you can demonstrate that you care about the impact your business has on the environment and show that the materials and processes you use are sustainable, then you’ll be in a position to charge more. This will improve your position as a sustainable clothing brand while also enhancing customers’ perceptions.
A quick and effective way of seeing these benefits come to fruition is by having the FSC logo on your goods. FSC certified paper can be traced back to responsible harvesters and producers and is an increasingly recognisable way of strengthening your eco-credentials. Any supplier that sources their paper stock from FSC certified sources should be able to give you the finished product with the printed logo. You can also stake your claim as a sustainable fashion company on your website and product descriptions. PSP can assist in your efforts to move towards more sustainable practices for your business.