Print-on-Demand and the Circular Economy: A Sustainable Future for PoM - Peace of Mind ... Happy Life!

The fashion industry grapples with environmental damage. Print-on-Demand (POD) offers a potential solution, aligning with the principles of a circular economy. Let's explore how PoM - Peace of Mind ... Happy Life! as a young POD brand (launch: 20th March 2024), can embrace "slow fashion" and "circularity".

Used clothes discarded in the Atacama Desert, in Alto Hospicio, Iquique, Chile. [Martin Bernetti/AFP]

The Problem: Linear vs. Circular Fashion

Traditional fashion follows a linear model: extract, produce, consume, discard. This generates waste and strains resources. A circular economy aims to keep materials in use for longer. How can POD contribute ?

• Reduced Waste: POD eliminates overproduction by printing only what's ordered. No unsold items languishing in warehouses.
  
  (Rec.: The fashion industry generates a staggering amount of textile waste annually, with significant portions ending up in landfills. Here are some key numbers to consider:
  • Overproduction: While a precise figure is elusive, estimates suggest the global fashion industry overproduces by up to 80-100 billion garments every year.
  • National Geographic reports that 44 million tonnes of clothing waste from Europe, Asia, and North America arrives in Northern Chile every year, due to its massive duty-free port. According to Dazed Media, 85% of such garments have never been worn.
  • Landfill Waste: A significant portion of unsold clothing ends up in landfills. According to a report by Earth.Org, roughly 92 million tonnes of textiles become waste annually, with landfills being the final destination for a large percentage.
  • Landfill Impact: Unfortunately, data on the exact amount directly linked to unsold seasonal fashion isn't readily available. -  However, considering the high volume of overall textile waste landfilled, it's safe to assume a substantial portion originates from unsold seasonal items.)
    

Challenges and Solutions for PoM - Peace of Mind ... Happy Life !

• Materials:

  • Our Focus: 100% Organic cotton (PoM's eco-friendly collection) is a great start. We explore recycled polyester, hemp, Tencel™ (Lyocell), or organic linen.
    We are in close contact with research institutes like The Ellen MacArthur Foundation which offers resources about circular economies on a global scale.
  • Innovation: We are in the process to partner deeply with companies which are developing bio-based materials or closed-loop recycling technologies for textiles.

• Production:

  • Partners: We are scanning steadily the POD market and search for POD fulfillment centers with certifications for sustainable practices and low energy consumption.
  • Transparency: We like to be upfront about production processes and materials used. We are in preparations to partner with NGOs like Textile Exchange to promote transparency.

• Product Lifecycle:

  • Durability: From side of the POD fulfillment network we expect the use of high-quality inks and fabrics for long-lasting garments. - From our side we like to offer to our customers care instructions to extend the product life.
  • End-of-Life: At the moment we are exploring garment take-back programs for recycling or up-cycling. We like to partner with organizations like Circularity Coalition for solutions (with members in over 30 countries).

PoM's Sustainable Workflow ...

1. Digital Design: We target at timeless designs that avoid fast fashion trends. We expect from our fulfillment partners to use eco-friendly dyes and digital printing to minimize water usage.
2. POD Production: We are partnering with certified POD facilities using renewable energy and minimizing waste.
3. Packaging: We expect from our POD partners to use recycled or biodegradable packaging materials.
4. Customer Engagement: We are steadily educating ourselves and like to share your learning process with our customers about "slow fashion" and "circularity". - We like to encourage garment care and to offer repair services.
5. End-of-Life: Partnering with textile recycling companies or offering a take-back program for used garments is on our agenda and work-in-progress.

Future Developments

• Biomaterials: We do our researches about the advancements in bio-based materials like algae or mycelium which offer exciting possibilities for sustainable textiles.
  
  

  Lets take a short look at Algae Textiles:

  While still in its early stages, algae holds immense promise for sustainable textiles. Here's why:

  • Fast-Growing: Algae can grow incredibly fast, requiring minimal land and resources.
  • CO2 Capture: Algae absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows, contributing to a negative carbon footprint.
  • Versatile Properties: Depending on the species, algae can be manipulated to create textiles with varying textures, strength, and even water-repelling properties.

  
  Current Applications and Players for Algae Textiles:

  • Algae Clothing: Companies like Algaeing producing natural dyes and materials are the pathfinders for new pioneers in algae-based clothing and accessories.
  • Fiber Blends: Some brands are exploring blending algae fibers with other sustainable materials like organic cotton.

  
  Lets take a short look at Mycelium Textiles (aka Mushroom Leather):

  Mycelium, the root-like network of fungi, has emerged as a leading alternative to traditional leather.

  • Sustainable Growth: Mycelium can be grown on agricultural waste, promoting resource efficiency.
  • Leather-like Properties: The resulting material boasts a luxurious feel, similar to leather, but with greater breath-ability and fire resistance.

  
  Current Applications and Players:

  • Mushroom Leather Goods: Companies like Mylo by Bolt Threads - https://boltthreads.com/ and MycoWorks - https://www.mycoworks.com/ are creating high-end handbags, wallets, and even footwear from mycelium.
  • Furniture and Packaging: The versatility of mycelium extends beyond apparel, with companies like Ecovative Design - https://www.ecovative.com/ developing sustainable packaging solutions and furniture components. 

Targeting

With the upper named solutions PoM - Peace of Mind ... Happy Life ! can become a leader in sustainable POD fashion, aligning with the slow fashion movement and the principles of a circular economy.

As sustainability is a "journey through life" and not a destination it requires continuous research and innovations. - Synergetic Collaborations in our understanding are the key to a greener future for the fashion industry.