British fashion industry growth targets are encountering stiff challenges in ensuring sustainable fashion. Over 62% of the brand retailers have signed up for a program to ensure green products and sustainability, per the WARP report.
The focus is on adopting environmental-friendly fabric to decrease the damaging effect on the ecosystem. Efforts like fibre substitution and re-designing the product by reducing carbon footprints conclude the initiative precisely.
However, the most unfortunate happening amid this massive transformation in the fashion industry is- false Greenwashing claims. With most environmental-oriented products invading both the internet and wardrobes.
Claims like- “100% environmental-friendly”, “all-natural product,” and “Organic” are simply unreal. With most customers getting conscious of their purchasing decisions and environment, most businesses are playing it as a bandwagon for sales.
Doing so, they claim to be selling the most tolerable product in the market. And, of course, most of these affirmations are a farce. In this lieu, you must be vigilant and adopt sustainable fashion by spotting false greenwashing claims.
What does Greenwashing imply?
Greenwashing is a buzzword that implies a company that misleads customers by claiming its products to be exclusively environmental-friendly. In actuality, it offers anything but green products.
Not only do they provide false products, but they need to align with environmental-friendly protocols to design apparel. They pretend to be something they are not to attract customers looking to buy ethical, eco-friendly products. Making a profit is their sole goal.
How to Spot false Greenwashing claims?
While spotting greenwashing could be tricky amid the shifting fashion trends, you can take a few steps to adopt sustainable fashion by spotting false greenwashing claims. Environmental experts have been continuously working on this. Here are some periodic actions you can take:
1. Look out for vague language
Does the company that claims to provide eco-friendly products by flashing banners like “no artificial colors,” “sustainable,” “green,” etc., have any claims to back it up? If you cannot spot any from the text or campaign, visit the company website. Check out for reliable sources from reputable brands like Ethical Consumer. Check out the testimonials from environmental charities and organisations.
2. Identify the brand for certification
Is the brand certified by Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance? It is the most significant parameter that reveals whether or not the brand is authentic to its words. Check whether the company meets B-corporation requirements in the core. What if the packaging does not show that? An original brand flashing eco-friendly products must satisfy precise environmental and social benchmarks. If you cannot find any tangible information from the website, switch to Green claims codes that the UK government has essentially released for avid shoppers and trend followers. It helps customers spot the right brand for their environmental-friendly product purchase and standards.
3. Check the recycling product terms (does it even exist?)
Many individuals think a million times before shelling off precious pounds on apparel. The primary concern remains the durability and the recycling aspect. Check whether the product is recyclable or not. What if the packaging conceals the farce claims? Identifying these aspects from authentic sources is essential if you are a strict follower of eco-friendly products.
Find out where you can recycle the product or the source of disposing of it aptly after using it for a reasonable timeframe. Ideally, a company must reveal the rules on correctly disposing of the product. Which bin should you use to dispose of it? It must be mentioned clearly in the guidelines or policies.
4. Read between the lines/ research the untold facts
Things that a business does not reveal say a lot about the brand and influence people’s choice to buy. For example, the “trendy pullover that you purchased for good bucks with an eco-friendly packaging tag may not be as it seems.”
Thus, always pack your research with good supportable facts and evidence to ensure the best buy for your lifestyle. You must provide the total value of the money you buy that piece for. Approach claims like – “carbon-neutral” with caution. However, it is mainly applied to other industries like- aviation and automobile.
Words like these differentiate a product from other products in a similar range. Many companies offset claims by doing well elsewhere, like planting trees. This way, they cancel out the impact of selling products with false claims. Beware of any such brands. Such schemes may help reduce the overall effect on the climate and environment, but their products reveal a different perspective.
5. Figure out the supply chain networks
The bigger the brand, the more massive the supply chain network. While a company may publish details or ensure transparency on the supply chain networks, they may not tell everything. Like- the method by which the clothes are made or the treatment of the workers.
Unfortunately, sometimes it isn’t straightforward to figure out owing to outsourcing and subsidised supply chains that subsidies works to other factories. In this way, the supply chain almost remains untraceable.
How to spot the best brand within it?
A company with the most miniature supply chain and transparency on manufacturing products is a good sign of sustainable production practice. Apart from that, industry-verifies testimonials on the website say the rest. Brands that ensure complete protection of workers during manufacturing and supply is the one to fall for.
The most pressing concern regarding shopping is:
How to combat a cashless situation while shopping?
Thus, adopting the latest fashion by aligning with these environmental-friendly standards is an excellent step towards committing to sustainable fashion. However, sometimes the actual products may rob you of the available cash.
And it is routine when you are on the way to transforming your wardrobe into an aesthetic and green one. While shopping for the latest summer fashion, which is nearly out now, you may need more cash quickly. The reason is nothing- but passion to re-design your wardrobe and ensure a new you.
However, when you do not want to skip an exclusive design, you need a facility that could provide you with instant cash. You can rely on quick and instant loans and effortlessly add unique apparel for the year to your wardrobe. Bridge the amount needed with fast cash in your account by leveraging the facility. Be sure to check it for green washing.
Bottom line
These are some ways to adopt sustainable fashion by spotting false greenwashing claims and saving yourself from misleading brands and products. Research and grab authentic green products to ensure your goal of sustainable fashion.