As I read more about the harmful chemicals used in the clothing that I wear every day, I grow more and more concerned about this particular issue. In this weeks’ video, Detoxing Fashion, Greenpeace sets a frightening example, “70% of China’s rivers, reservoirs, and lakes were polluted and half of China’s water is deemed unsafe for human contact”. Half! That is unreasonable and frankly, unacceptable. China may not be the largest country in physical size, but they do account for the most people and if half of their water supply is undrinkable, this makes for a massive amount of wasted water. However, this can be put to a stop. More often than not, the reason companies have hazardous chemicals is because they are either easier to use, cheaper, or make for faster production. Most brands do not even know harmful chemicals are used in their products and some even go on to promote how environmentally-friendly their products are. So, in this, we must all take responsibility to finding out exactly what is in each product. My idea is based off the technical value in Cradle-to-Cradle.
As one of our videos showed – it is possible to make apparel products and send out runoff liquids cleaner than when they came in to the factory. Because this is possibly, we must all work towards this goal. I believe each and every factory should have a regulation of doing this and should be held liable. Greenpeace takes about major brands such as Nike, Adidas, and H&M all using harmful chemicals in their products from China and most do not know about it or chose to ignore it. I believe consumers should also hold their brands and brand suppliers liable. Quinn puts it effortlessly, “In an industry characterized by style over content and image over substance, the movement to infuse fashion with social responsibility is one of the most radical changes in fashion’s history”. This is so spot on; each of us need to take the obligations upon ourselves because this is our Earth that we live on and it will be our grandchildren and their grandchildren’s Earth.
As future businessmen and women in the apparel industry, we must take accountability for our products from birth to – what should be rebirth.
Morgan,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your insight into the issues of fashion production in the industry today. When I watched the video last week, I was also shocked in how much wasted water was polluting China's environment. I agree, something needs to be done. However, I am slightly confused by your concept idea. Are you saying that you would like to enforce stricter regulation of the runoff liquids being disposed of from factories of apparel production? I understand what you mean by us needing to start taking accountability for our products throughout their life cycles, but I'm not clear on how you plan to enforce this concept. In the Cradle to Cradle reading, it talks about how products within the technical metabolism are reconceived as services that people want to enjoy. It goes on to say that when the consumer is finished using the item, the manufacturer replaces it and uses its materials as food for new products. How is monitoring the runoff water going to benefit consumers in this closed-loop cycle? Good job this week!
Morgan,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your general concept and enjoyed reading your blog. Half of China's water is polluted and there is no excuse for this. However, I would like to know what different ideas you have about putting a stop to this. I agree that the first step is educating consumers and retailers. Do you think this is enough? Even if our typical consumer knows what they are purchasing is hurting the environment will they still buy it? I think some of them would because of the simple fact it is cheaper. What incentives could we give them to buy merchandise that does not hurt the environment?
Morgan,
ReplyDeleteI whole-heartedly agree! Its scary to think what will happen to our earth even in the next twenty years. What kind of standards do you think should be set? And even more importantly, who sets them? That was an idea I struggled with while writing my post this week.
After seeing far too many food industry documentaries, anything government regulated seems to be too easily bought out. I was thinking it would either have to be industry-ran or an independent organization whose purpose is specific to sustainability in the apparel industry.
Great blog this week! :)