Abstract
The global fashion industry is one of the largest and influential industries in the world. There is a plethora of applications of plastics in the fashion industry. Synthetic fabrics shed microplastics when washed and end up in the oceans posing risks to marine species and human health. Indeed, about 60% of textile fibres are synthetic. Most of our clothes contain plastics like polyester, nylon, rayon, acrylic and polyamide. This fact poses the question of both legal and social accountability of the fashion industry to reduce the production of plastics. This paper explores the efficacy of the current international and regional legal frameworks (EU) that regulate the use of plastics in the fashion industry. In order to tackle the problem of plastic-use in fashion industry, the ‘sustainable fashion’ concepts will be explored, which sit opposite with ‘fast fashion’. Based on the assumption that ‘sustainable fashion’ should the way forward to achieve ‘sustainability’ leading to circularity in the fashion industry, to what extent the current legal instruments support the sustainable fashion concepts will be the heart of this presentation. The successful promotion and the practical implementation of the sustainable fashion trend encouraged by the mixture of soft and hard law will ultimately lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to the reduction of the plastic-use in the fashion industry, which is relevant to combat climate change. The relevant stakeholders should also have a pivotal role for climate action, for reducing the use of plastics and protecting the sea/ocean.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Sustainable Development for a Dynamic Planet: Lessons, Priorities, and Solutions
KEYWORDS
Sustainable Fashion, Plastics, Legislation, Climate Change, Recycling, Upcycling, Circular Economy
