Are you a fashion brand looking for sustainable clothing manufacturing? Do you know if your garment factory has already implemented their environmental policies?
Consumers are pushing for sustainable clothing manufacturing more than ever. With climate change and economic instability on the rise, the urgency is building for brand owners to reduce their carbon footprint.
In a recent report by PwC, “46% of consumers say they are buying more sustainable products as a way to reduce their impact on the environment.”
In today’s CM Garmindo article, we’ll be exploring 3 trends in sustainable clothing manufacturing that you need to know about.
Emerging Trends in Sustainable Clothing Manufacturing
The clothing manufacturing industry is experiencing strategic operational shifts in sustainability. But what does “sustainable clothing manufacturing” mean?
According to Lianne Dennis, Co-Founder of CM Garmindo, sustainability in garment production:
“…happens when we more efficiently use available resources to reduce inputs and waste, while maintaining a high standard of product quality without negatively impacting our employees or our community.”
With that in mind, let’s have a look at the three trends that are shaping the future of sustainable apparel manufacturing; now and into the future.
1. Investing in Energy-Saving Machinery
The majority of apparel manufacturers in the world are using outdated machines that leak toxic chemicals, emit greenhouse gasses, and cause more pollution.
However, utilising modern machines, which are already designed to be energy-efficient, reduces waste and cuts down on energy consumption.
Taner Kilicarslan, Client Services Manager at CM Garmindo, says that;
“From the start, our factory chose to equip cutting-edge technologies such as digital direct to fabric printers and digitised automated sewing machines. They produce higher quality clothing while reducing waste. These advancements translate to significant operational cost savings without compromising on production quality; and our clients love us for that.”
Does your clothing manufacturer have these machines or intend to upgrade? If not, then maybe it’s time to switch to a more sustainable clothing manufacturer.
2. Taking Massive Action Through S.M.A.R.T. Objectives
As we look toward a more sustainable future, the focus is shifting from intention to making a tangible impact.
Forward-thinking apparel manufacturers are finally setting sustainability goals and tracking their progress.
The acronym is something that we use in business and it stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound.
This involves adopting incremental yet continuous, impactful, improvement strategies with measurable metrics and transparent reporting with benchmarks.
The United Nations created the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) so that business, and people, everywhere, can share a blueprint for peace and prosperity.
“At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.”
By moving from intent to impact, clothing manufacturers can commit to sustainability and drive meaningful change in their operations.
At CM Garmindo, we’ve integrated the SDGs into every aspect of our business. You can see our Fair Trade policies here.
3. Adoption of Digital Design for Efficient Garment Manufacturing
Digital manufacturing technologies, such as digitised 3D CAD design software, transform the way products are produced, which reduces waste.
For example, the 3D software we use does something called “pattern nesting”.
Nesting is when the design software calculates the perfect placement of a garment’s patterns across a roll of fabric so there’s almost no space between each panel.
When the fabric is cut, very little off-cuts are produced which reduces waste. This also saves the client money since they get maximum use of their fabric.
These technologies also shorten production timeframes which saves fashion brands money.
By adopting digital design technologies, factories can achieve greater sustainable clothing manufacturing.
Is your garment factory still selling you designs in Excel or on paper? Switch to a garment manufacturer that uses digitised clothing design software; it’ll save you money and time.
Bringing Sustainability to the Clothing Manufacturing Industry
Embracing trends such as investing in energy-saving machinery, taking action through the UN’s SDGs, and utilising advanced digital design technologies, can significantly enhance your environmental performance.
Here’s how you can implement these trends into your fashion business:
- Start small but start now.Implement a couple of changes into your manufacturing process so you can get those quick wins right away. It’ll also help you practice doing this better.
- Create a collaborate network.Work with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders to more quickly implement your sustainability goals. Time is of the essence!
- Install educational training programs. Make it super easy for your employees to learn and act on your sustainability practices.
If you’re a brand, then make your clothing with CM Garmindo. We’re already Bali’s #1 and only QA-approved clothing manufacturer.
The trends highlighted in this article show only a fraction of the innovative strategies you can implement to achieve environmental goals.
At CM Garmindo, we understand the challenges of adopting sustainable clothing manufacturing practices.
The nice thing is, our company has already established a network of the top-rated fabrics and hardware suppliers that are committed to sustainability.
If you’re a clothing brand looking to work with a top-tier sustainable garment manufacturer, CM Garmindo is here to guide you every step of the way. We got you covered!
Ready to implement these practices and drive sustainable growth?
Send us a message today; we’d love to support your journey towards sustainable clothing manufacturing.
