Fast fashion etches its name among global polluters. The industry adds to global carbon emissions by using synthetic materials. However apparel and footwear are striving to improve the present situation by switching to greener options. They are also getting into collaborations to explore more sustainable options. Therefore one can expect these companies cut their cost and future prices.

With every passing day global pollution is seeing a new high. The trending consumerism has given way to more emissions and carbon footprints. Companies have inundated markets with countless products and their varieties. Burgeoning demand and incomes on the consumer side are also bolstering the supply. However given the resource constraint many companies have hinged on synthetic methods of production to cut their cost. That has vitiated environmental conditions. Fast fashion is one example. It has hogged the limelight for its polluting facets.

Fashion is not unique to this age. Humans always had a corner for fashion in their hearts. Since the very beginning of human civilization they have been adorning themselves with jewels and apparel. But modern times have pushed the fashion narrative to a new high. A plethora of brands line fashion streets. They manage to make a mark with their products. But their polluting shades have added a blot to their image.

Fast fashion makes up 10% of global carbon emissions. Not just that 70% of the $3 trillion fashion industry products trace their origin to synthetic and petrochemicals. However the trend is changing with companies turning to greener options. Taking on that part many have altered their manufacturing to cut carbon emissions. Others have switched to a different set of raw materials.     

Therefore one can witness the rising trend of sustainable clothing. Plant-based material is gaining its ground. The list of these trendsetters includes companies like Activ activewear Kent underwear and startup Unless. Unless celebrates itself as “the first streetwear brand to create products that will harmlessly decompose at the end of life.” These fashion products stand out as one can compost them with ease.

They get on the board with 100% plant-based nutrients like recycled cotton hemp plant-based leather and coconut fiber. Taking on that part Eric Liedtke (CEO of Unless) said “We started the company because we’re a bunch of fashion executives that got tired of the make take and throw away culture of fashion. The planned obsolescence of fashion is basically based on a petrochemical or petroleum-based feedstock which means it’s cheap. But what you don’t know about that is it creates synthetics which are forever materials that never go away.”

Liedtke also had a career with Adidas. Therefore it is no surprise to find footwear sharing its space with apparel and other accessories on the list.

Shedding light on that part Liedtke shared “Our product starts with the end in mind. That becomes a very easy story to tell the consumers because the clearest thing is what happens when I’m done using it. it harmlessly goes away and becomes plant and worm food. And that to me is just as important as the quality of the product you make. It’s the product times the story.”

To one’s surprise Unless has only one pop-up retail store in Portland (Ore). Adding to that it has many online stores. The company reckons on an increase in demand for greener products over time. Building on that part it has announced a collaboration with Mammut (a 160-year-old Swiss climbing company).

Liedtke said “We did that around International Mountain Day and I’m happy to say the product sold out in 48 hours.” One can also expect these collaborations to bring prices down. A shopper Dru Ueltschi said “I would pay more for sustainable clothing I think it is partly just like it’s my contribution to helping the planet and I think we should all contribute the way we can.”