To act as indicative guidelines to introduce key environmental issues, The Sustainable Angle have developed a number of criteria which are used to select materials in curating the Future Fabrics Expo. These criteria recognise some of the most pressing resource issues and environmental impacts that relate to the fashion supply chain. We work with best-practice suppliers and innovators who demonstrate positive action in one or more of the following areas:
Criteria
WATER
Materials created in systems that reduce, recycle, reuse and treat water to ensure water courses and ground water are not depleted or polluted. Suppliers demonstrate the use of progressive methods and technologies to significantly reduce water inputs across the textile supply chain. This may include programmes that improve water quality and community access to clean water.
ENERGY
Materials suppliers that use renewable energy, or demonstrate concrete action to decouple from, or transition away from the use of fossil fuels, both as a raw material and energy source for production processes. Important recognition is given to materials grown within regenerative agricultural practices, avoiding petrochemical-based fertilizers.
waste
Materials produced by reducing or eliminating waste at every stage of the textile production process. Suppliers demonstrate exemplary recycling and re-use practices following circular models and cradle 2 cradle principles. Recognises materials that are created by optimising the value locked in to agricultural, industrial and both pre-consumer and post-consumer waste streams.
BIODIVERSITY
Natural source materials grown using organic and regenerative agricultural practices that respect and support biodiversity in soil, on land and in water. This includes raw material sources and practices that preserve high value ecosystems, such as ancient and endangered forests, also recognising the importance of communities that act as custodians of such ecosystems.
chemicals
Materials produced by eliminating hazardous chemicals (such as ZDHC MRSL compliant) and prioritise the removal of petrochemicals from cleaning, dyeing, printing and finishing processes. Suppliers demonstrate proactive action in clean-up initiatives and the responsible management of effluents and exemplary water protocols; this may include programmes that improve water quality and community access to clean water.
animal welfare
Materials produced from suppliers that demonstrate high animal welfare standards, respecting the Five Domains (ref: Textile Exchange) of farmed animals, or responsible herding practices that prioritise both animal and ecosystem welfare. Includes suppliers who demonstrate wildlife friendly habitat and ecosystem diversity practices, both on the farm and in the surrounding ecosystems. Incorporates standards that go beyond land management to maintain animal welfare, productivity and consideration of soil health and wider biodiversity.
social justice
Materials suppliers that demonstrate initiatives and programmes that align with fair trade principles, pay a living wage and respect the health, well- being and voice of the communities that provide their workforce. Positive initiatives include investment in community programmes that support health and education. Includes suppliers that demonstrate recognition of the significance of local communities that act as custodians of the local biosphere, actively preserving raw material sources and high-value ecosystems.
traceability
Suppliers that can provide transparent proof of supply chain traceability from raw material through to their finished product, either through the use of digital markers tracked with technologies such as block chain, a third party verified certification, or transparent disclosure of supplier networks. The positive benefits of local supply chain networks are recognised through the development regional fibre systems that build ecosystem and community health.
Please note: The information presented on our fabric cards and posters are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time the information was produced. Please verify with the supplier before placing orders.
