The ONLY THING we can do is literally to buy LESS. I suspect wool might have the least impact on the environment currently? If you raise your sheep herd ethically.Although there are strides in fiber development that might be less "plasticy" and would be more durable for the long-term future. Don't forget about zippers, buttons, ribbon, cording that runs through hoodies, so much more. And cotton isn't great either because of the amount of water used, and the headaches go on and on. Poly is a stronger thread in general than cotton. Even thread is hard to source, most are poly blends or straight up poly. Microfibers running into the water system is a headache. I'm part of a sustainable, ethical minded fashion group and we have daily discussions on how fucking difficult it is to source anything that reduces the ethical AND environmental footprint. Now as for the cotton industry in general being an environmental nightmare even if it's sourced locally, that's a whole other argument. It's no doubt pricier though and then the final products produced by the seamstresses through an ethical designer/design company would be more expensive of course. I work in the fashion industry - there are definitely manufacturers out there who are producing their fabric ethically with cotton sourced locally, labour hired locally, etc. “The particular chain in question has a reputation for paying above minimum wage and for empowering women in the supply chain which is presumably why Ivy Park chose the company,” explained Aidan McQuad, the Director of the anti-slavery charity. So, economically, the brand isn't breaking any labor rules and has shown no proof of fostering a harsher working environment than any other manufacturer in the area.Īnti-Slavery International say the working conditions described in the original article are typical of the wider garment sector across South East Asia. Her salary is 18,500 rupees a month, which surpasses the country’s monthly minimum wage of 13,500 rupees. The publication's allegations reportedly come from a “poverty stricken” 22 year-old seamstress struggling to survive in a vicious circle of low wages and poor working conditions. The workers in the factory used by Beyonce's Ivy Park clothing line were being paid much more than minimum wage.Īccording to The Sun, affordability has come at the price of Sri Lankan workers. Newsflash: Every garment industry worker in South Asia is being paid pennies. Untimed bans may be lifted when the moderators are confident that you will not continue to infringe on the community rules. Violation of our rules may result in a ban from this subreddit. See the wiki for details on each rule Disallowed comments