The fashion industry has been criticized for the poor working conditions and other substandard labor practices that can exist throughout its extended supply chains, as well as for the adverse impact its production, use, and disposal of raw materials and finished products has on the environment. The United Nations established the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion in 2019 to hold fashion brands to a higher standard. The factors complicating the industry’s move toward becoming more socially and environmentally sustainable come down to cost—mainly, the costs of paying people better, improving working conditions, disposing of waste properly, and using environmentally friendly materials. However, the fashion industry is making progress in many areas.
Sustainability Challenges in the Fashion Industry
Oracle has published an article on sustainability in the fashion industry, covering 9 sustainability challenges and the solutions to meet them.