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The global textile industry has long been scrutinized for its enormous environmental impact. As the world continues to prioritize sustainability, the textile industry is experiencing significant transformation to meet eco-friendly standards and government regulations. Let’s probe into what sustainability means for textile and apparel companies, the metrics and certifications that define it, the current state of sustainability in these industries, and how digital printing is paving the way for a more sustainable future.
What Does Sustainability Mean?
“Sustainability,” at its core, refers to the ability to maintain or improve systems and processes without depleting natural resources or harming the environment for future generations. In the context of the textile industry, sustainability encompasses several key aspects: minimizing pollution, waste, and resource consumption; ensuring fair labor practices and supporting communities; and creating long-term value without compromising future resources.
For a company to be considered sustainable, it must integrate these principles into its business model—which involves assessing and improving its environmental footprint, social impact, and economic practices. Companies often perform sustainability audits to identify areas for improvement and track their progress over time. Several metrics are central for companies aiming to achieve sustainability, including measuring greenhouse gas emissions (their carbon footprint), monitoring and reducing water consumption, tracking and minimizing waste production, optimizing energy use and incorporating renewable sources, as well as ensuring ethical sourcing and production practices through supply chain transparency.
Certifications and Programs for Measuring Sustainability
Various certifications and programs help textile manufacturers, printers, and apparel decorators measure and achieve sustainability. Notably, several European Union (EU) initiatives play a pivotal role. The European Green Deal is a comprehensive plan aiming to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050. It encompasses policies to reduce carbon emissions, promote clean energy, and foster circular economies. The Eco-Design for Sustainable Product Regulation sets criteria for designing products with minimal environmental impact—focusing on durability, repairability, and recyclability. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates that producers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including take-back, recycling, and disposal. The Digital Product Passport initiative provides detailed information about a product's sustainability, helping consumers make informed choices and promoting transparency in supply chains.
Other widely recognized certifications include the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX, Cradle to Cradle (C2C), and the Higg Index—each addressing various aspects of sustainability in textiles and apparel. Cascale (formerly “Sustainable Apparel Coalition” or SAC) provides a suite of tools that enables brands, retailers, and facilities to accurately measure and score a company or product’s sustainability performance.
The Current State of Sustainability in the Textile Industry
The textile industry has made some great strides in sustainability—notably with digital printing, which reduces waste and energy consumption compared to traditional methods. However, the industry must further develop eco-friendly inks and substrates to achieve greater sustainability. In the home décor sector, sustainable materials and production processes are increasingly popular, but widespread adoption is still limited by higher costs and limited consumer awareness. In the decorated apparel industry, fast fashion continues to be a major sustainability challenge. While some brands are shifting towards on-demand production, overproduction and waste remain prevalent.
To enhance sustainability, these industries must invest in research and development to develop more sustainable materials and production technologies, adopt circular economy practices through recycling and upcycling initiatives, provide consumers with clear information about the sustainability of products, as well as encourage industry collaboration to set and achieve higher sustainability standards.
How Digital Printing Enhances Sustainability
Traditional high-volume fashion production involves an 18-month lead time, on average. Digital printing enables on-demand manufacturing, where products are made only after they are sold—reducing waste and excess inventory. Additionally, digital printing significantly cuts down on water and energy consumption, whereas traditional textile production is water-intensive and many regions are facing water scarcity. Digital printing methods also reduce CO2 emissions by streamlining production processes compared to traditional production. On-demand production eliminates the need for large inventories, reducing storage costs and financial risks associated with unsold stock. With limited water resources and rising labor costs, the urgency for sustainable practices is higher than ever. Digital printing not only addresses these issues, but also aligns with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products.
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
The journey towards sustainability in the textile industry is well underway, with digital printing leading the charge. While significant progress has been made, ongoing efforts to innovate, collaborate, and adopt sustainable practices are essential. By embracing sustainability, the textile industry can not only reduce its environmental impact, but also meet the evolving demands of conscious consumers. The future of this industry depends on its ability to create a balanced and sustainable ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.
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