We are living in a world where technology is a staple for human beings, dominating all spheres of life. So it’s not exactly a surprise that the future of a sustainable industry also seems dependent on the same digital technology.

The fashion industry is largely centred around fast fashion these days, resulting in escalating environmental damages. The global output of waste from the fashion industry has alarmed thinkers around the world. Efforts towards sustainable fashion have been set in motion, but so far, they have failed to make a notable difference. Cheaper synthetic products still dominate the mass market, shaping the demands and choices of the consumers. But luckily for the planet, all is not lost. The younger “woke” generation is becoming increasingly vocal about their concerns regarding climate changes that are expected to affect the world in the next fifty years. They understand this is no time to turn a blind eye to the rising threat of these wastes - that sustainability is the key to a safer future. We’re hopeful that this push from millennial and Gen Z consumers will have an impact on the industry’s choices, and traditional stakeholders will be forced to make adjustments to maintain their foothold.

While trying to implement sustainability across the length and breadth of the fashion industry, technology has been found to be the most effective tool. We are already living in a world where technology is a staple for human beings, dominating all spheres of life. So it’s not exactly a surprise that the future of a sustainable industry also seems dependent on the same digital technology.

Digital technology is a necessary tool for building a circular economy; in the fashion industry, it would mean “designing out that waste and pollution...within the supply chain, and then keeping those products and materials in use for as long as possible, and then regenerating them back into the supply chain at the end of their life” as pointed out by Sara Swenson, global senior manager sustainability at Avery Dennison. The same technology empowers brands to keep a transparent database that informs consumers about sustainable practices at the sourcing end. Interestingly, many brands today are using QR codes on their labels which can be scanned to know how to care for the fabric, where it was sourced from, and whether it is a certified sustainable product.

Technology has similarly pervaded the manufacturing side of the industry. Samples or prototypes, for instance, are indispensable when it comes to the production process, and trials and errors often lead to 10-25 per cent of fabric wastage per item. Digital 3D sampling is a ground-breaking new technology that has started solving this issue. Unlike traditional sampling, the 3D variant can be created in only a few hours, and as such, it not only reduces wastage but also fastens up the process. In addition to this, usage of energy efficient automated equipment at the factories help to reduce flaws and errors during production, thereby minimising wastage and reducing energy consumption. If we look further back into the supply chain, innovations in textile technology have also been helping us to produce sustainable and recyclable fabrics as alternatives for the harmful synthetic ones.

In addition to this, a data-driven approach to apparel and garment manufacturing can also help us to pull up the industry’s sustainability score. AI-generated data can help predict consumer behaviour, trends and preferences, which in turn can inform production. E-commerce today is literally thriving by profiling consumer tastes from social media platforms with the help of social listening apps and tools. Similar tech-driven approach can prevent overproduction and losses, and tackle the problem of excessive waste generation.

All things considered; people too have an important role to play in prioritising sustainability. As consumers, we need to educate ourselves about eco-friendly fashion and make the right purchases. Demand and supply are interrelated, demand for sustainable products will organically boost sustainable production. Buyers need to demand more accountability from the fashion industry and say no to the ‘use and dispose’ culture. Social initiatives combined with tech innovations can definitely help us build the sustainable future we dream of.

About the author: Abhishek Sharma, COO and Co-Founder at Fashinza.