Sustainability is a vague term. Lack of adequate standards, regulations, and proliferation of claims leaves less room for the interpretation of the term sustainable clothing . Ethical manufacturing, using organic cotton for clothes, recycling old fabrics, etc, mean sustainable. Sustainability is a broader term encompassing all the things; functioning with numerous complex mechanisms.
There is mounting pressure on the apparel industry to reduce environmental impact with regards to farming, processing, dyeing and bleaching of fabrics. Also, there is an expectation to eliminate exploitation of labor, remove the existing labor inequalities and have a fashion forward approach towards the manufacturing process.
Best practices, policies and standards are set out in the textile and apparel industry for sustainability. Companies should curtail excess manufacturing by maintaining a balance between demand and supply. They should eliminate the practice of 'greenwashing', by creating transparent and substantive social responsibility initiatives.
Consumer awareness is getting boosted up frequently through institutions that promote awareness and other environmental and health related concerns. This initiates a high level of sensitivity in all dimensions of ethical manufacturing processes.
