Sustainable Fashion Matters
Sustainable Fashion Matters
By: Garry Knox
Corporate Social Responsibility as a whole has been increasing in importance within the corporate agenda, with particular attention being paid to Sustainability and Ethics.
On April 5th, the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry (ASBCI) is holding a conference dedicated to sustainability within the Fashion Industry: ‘Doing the right thing? Best practice for sustaining our people, planet and profits’.
The keynote speaker on the day will be Mike Barry, Director of Sustainable Business at Marks and Spencer.
Ten years ago, Marks & Spencer launched its game changing ‘Plan A’. Sustainability was placed top of the global fashion industry agenda. Since then most big brands and retailers have implemented their own robust ethical and environmental sustainability programmes with the collective objective of protecting people and the planet. Some are doing it better than others and reaping the rewards.
The best sustainability practices, processes and products are reducing waste, transport and material costs and boosting brand image, efficiency, customer loyalty and share prices. The ASBCI sustainability conference has assembled speakers with unparalleled experience of the most effective and commercial, sustainable initiatives and innovations. They have agreed to share their experience, insight and vision in a bid to give us all a sustainable and profitable future.
Amongst the other speakers on the day are Rakesh Vazirani, Director Environmental Information Management at TUV Rheinland, Tara Luckman, Fabric and Sustainability Manager for ASOS.com, Elaine Gardiner, Sustainability Manager at Berghaus Limited and Ross Barry of Lawrence M Barry & Co.
ASBCI Chairman Alistair Knox said:
Corporate Social responsibility within manufacturing, whether in the UK or further afield has come under closer scrutiny over the years and Sustainability is no exception. Whether it’s the working environment for manufacturer’s employees or the impact on local climates. All parts of the supply chain are putting manufacturing under increased pressure with objectives to be met and consumer needs to be fulfilled. Everyone involved is starting to explore beyond ‘Green Wash’ and demanding real answers.
Subjects on the day will include an update on M&S Plan A, The Circular Economy, Water use in the Supply Chain and Fashioning Fibres for the future.
The bigger focus there is on sustainability in fashion, the more hope there is that a sustainable form of aftercare like GreenEarth, makes its way up the agenda.
For further information visit www.asbci.co.uk/events