Here are five innovative ways technology has found a way for fashion and its processes to be more carbon efficient and mindful.
1. Fabric From Food Waste
Germany-based QMILK has developed a patented, specially designed spinning process that helps convert 100 per cent renewable raw materials and non-food milk into QMILK fibers that are natural, silk-like and skin-friendly. The fibers are suitable for clothing and also have anti-bacterial qualities. The best part about QMILK’s innovation is that it can put waste milk to good use and reduce overall waste.
Image Source: welum.com
2. Lab-Grown Materials
From gemstones to plan-based leather, today a range of sustainable alternatives to environmentally harmful fashion materials can be grown in laboratories, reducing the carbon footprint of many fashion products. Both leather and gemstones like diamonds not only require carbon-intensive processes but also end up introducing a range of toxins into the environment during production. This is cut down by a lot as lab-grown materials require almost half of the energy utilised on conventional and produce a lot less waste.
Image used for representational purposes only.
3. Dyeing With Technology
As per the World Resources Institute, about five trillion litres of water is used each year for fabric dyeing alone globally. This quantity of water is enough to fill two million Olympic-sized swimming pools. Bringing forth a solution to this mammoth use of water, Japanese company Airdye has introduced a technology that enables printing and dyeing on fabrics to be water-free. Using Airdye’s technology can help reduce up to 95 per cent of water and an average of 170 liters of water per garment during the printing and dyeing process. Additionally, it is also energy efficient and waste-free.
4. 3D Printing
3D technology is another technology that can be used to create garments and accessories with a much lower carbon footprint than conventional garment-making processes, given that 3D printing involves a lot less amount of waste. Adding to that the fact that dimensions and measurements can be met with accuracy, 3D printing becomes a rather effective and efficient alternative along with being a more conscious one.
Image used for representational purposes only.
5. Resale Policy
Homegrown company Relove has used technology to enable brands to provide resale platforms on their website. This in turn helps customers buy and sell pre-loved items from the brand as well as helps enable brands to liquidate inventory with minor defects. So far, Relove has more than 35 Indian brands on board like Summer Somewhere, Okhai, Bunaai, WhySoBlue and many more.
Image used for representational purposes only.