Let's talk Earth Day

Author

Induja from Trace
April 22, 2024

Happy Monday!

It’s Earth Day and we wanted to surprise you with a special newsletter. We hope you’re celebrating this beautiful day, wherever you are. We all receive the same advice about sustainable fashion every year on Earth Day – choose ethical brands, buy secondhand clothing, recycle or donate your clothes, and much more. We want to help you take the next step by helping you figure out where to go. One startup, Trashie, aims to help consumers recycle their unwanted clothes with reward incentives. Trashie wants to make recycling fun while properly recycling your clothes that are sent back. Consumers can purchase the Take Back Bag to ship unwanted clothes directly from their homes and once Trashie gets the bags, they analyze the material of the products and sort them to ensure they don’t end up in landfills.

In other news, as of March 2024, New York passed a New York Fashion Workers Act bill aimed to enhance labor protections for professionals within the fashion industry, including models, influencers, stylists, and makeup artists.

In conversation this week, with Earth Day bringing more consumer awareness, let’s break down how the EU vs US regulations apply towards sustainable fashion goals for 2030.

 TikTok ban might be right around the corner. The House of Representatives passed the bill on TikTok ban, next up it’s the Senate. Read here for more information.

 Thanks for reading!

Headlines

The recently passed New York Fashion Workers Act marks a significant legislative milestone aimed at enhancing labor protections for a broad spectrum of professionals within the fashion industry, including models, influencers, stylists, and makeup artists. Historically, many of these workers have been classified as independent contractors, which often left them without basic labor protections and vulnerable to various forms of exploitation, such as delayed payments and unregulated working conditions.

Key Provisions of the Act:

The Fashion Workers Act addresses these issues through several key provisions:

  1. Registered Requirement: The act mandates that model management and creative management companies register with the state, which helps in standardizing operations and ensuring accountability.

  2. Enhance Protections: It sets clear guidelines on fee collections, payment timelines, contract terms, and commission caps, aimed at preventing exploitive practices. It also imposes strict prohibitions on discriminatory practices, harassment, and retaliatory actions by employers.

  3. Enforcement and Compliance: The New York Attorney General’s office is empowered to enforce these regulations, ensuring that companies comply with the new standards and protections afforded by the act.

 Implications and Reception

The legislation has been generally well-received by advocates for workers' rights, as it provides much-needed protections to a vulnerable segment of the workforce. However, there has been some opposition, particularly from management companies within the broader artistic industry, who argue that the bill's provisions could be too restrictive and potentially harmful to New York's economy, particularly its vibrant creative sectors. These stakeholders have expressed concerns that the legislation might drive productions and creative enterprises out of the state due to increased operational costs and regulatory burdens.

Moving Forward

Despite these challenges, the Fashion Workers Act represents a proactive approach to addressing long-standing issues within the fashion industry. It underscores New York's commitment to improving working conditions and establishing fair labor practices in one of its most iconic and economically significant industries. For more details on the Fashion Workers Act and ongoing discussions around it, you can visit the New York State Senate's official page on the bill here.

Analysis of the Week

Earth Day is a reminder to revisit goals. This time we are revisiting the Sustainability Development Goals for 2030, set by the United Nations.

Aspect

European Union (EU)

United States (US)

Regulatory Framework

Comprehensive, with specific regulations and directives aimed at the entire EU. Initiatives include the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, aiming for all textile products on the market to be durable, repairable, and recyclable, with increased use of recycled fibers by 2030. Mandates also include design requirements, a Digital Product Passport, and restrictions on the export of textile waste​ 

More decentralized, with sustainability initiatives often driven by individual states, private sector leadership, and non-governmental organizations. Notable efforts like New York’s proposed Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act aim to require major fashion companies to disclose environmental impacts and supply chain practices​ ​

Goals and Targets

Targets include reducing the carbon footprint, increasing the use of recycled materials, enhancing product longevity, and eliminating hazardous substances in textiles. Strong focus on circular economy principles, including extensive recycling and minimal landfill use. Also aims to address the unintentional release of microplastics from textiles​ ​

Goals vary by state and organization but generally include increasing transparency, improving recycling rates, and reducing environmental impact.

Innovation and Technology

Heavy investment in research and development to support innovations in textile recycling technologies, eco-design, and sustainable materials. The EU funds projects to advance these technologies under frameworks like Horizon Europe​ ​

Innovation is driven largely by the private sector and academia, with significant contributions from startups and tech companies focusing on sustainable practices and materials. Federal support exists but is less centralized, often channeled through grants and incentives for sustainable business practices​ ​

Consumer Protection

Strong measures against greenwashing, with proposals for new regulations to ensure companies substantiate their environmental claims. Introduction of clearer labeling and advertising standards to help consumers make informed choices​

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Consumer protection varies by state; some states have introduced laws to combat greenwashing and promote transparency in sustainability claims. However, there is yet to be a nationwide policy equivalent to the EU’s comprehensive consumer protection measures specifically for fashion sustainability​ 

International Cooperation

The EU actively promotes international standards and cooperation in sustainable fashion, both within its borders and globally. This includes setting global standards for sustainability practices and encouraging other countries to adopt similar measures​ ​

The US participates in various international forums and agreements aimed at promoting sustainable practices globally, though these efforts are less coordinated at the federal level compared to the EU. Private sectors and NGOs often lead international collaborations​ 

A few examples of US state-led consumer protection regulation initiatives:

  1. California - The California Green Chemistry Initiative: This initiative, while broader than just fashion, mandates that manufacturers of consumer products develop alternatives to harmful chemical ingredients and provide clear and accurate information about the contents of products. It empowers the California Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the presence of harmful substances in consumer products, including clothing.

  2. New York - Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act (SHIELD Act): While primarily focused on data security, this act also includes provisions that protect consumers from misleading information and false advertising, which can extend to claims about sustainability and environmental impact in fashion.

  3. Washington - Textile Recycling Act: In Washington State, while the act primarily focuses on recycling, there is a strong component that ensures consumers are well informed about the sustainability of the products they purchase, particularly focusing on how products are labeled in terms of recyclability and environmental impact.

Innovation in Fashion

Dyecoo, is a leader in water-free and chemical-free textile dyeing. This startup uses carbon dioxide instead of water in the dyeing process, limiting the need for water during textile dyeing.

Algaeing, is decarbonizing the textile industry with algae-powered inks and dyes for large-scale planet-positive impact. Their patented technology uses zero-waste ink and dyes for textiles using renewable algae. According to their research, Algae saves 74% greenhouse gas emissions and 98% water compared to conventional dye and ink production.

Hue, a platform that allows brands and retailers to embed shopable user-generated video testimonials of a product.

Hurr, a clothing rental platform that allows you to rent designer items

Recurate, is a tech-enabled resale service welcoming customers to a brand’s ecosystem, driving circular economy.

Short Story, is a data-powered personal styling for petite women. Perfect-fitting clothes, delivered to your door.

Vestiaire Collective, is a global online marketplace for desirable pre-loved fashion items, promoting the circular fashion movement as an alternative to overproduction and overconsumption.

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