Since December 2020, The Fitting Room on Edward has been involved in an impactful initiative with B1G1, with a goal of reducing the ecological footprint of the fashion industry.
It’s no secret that fashion has a major impact on the environment. The most recent data estimates that the industry is responsible for producing over 92 million tonnes of textile waste globally. In the next ten years, this is expected to grow to more than 134 million tonnes of textiles a year .
Fast fashion is a major culprit for unsustainable practices. This sector of the industry is guilty of putting out cheaply made garments utilising microfibres that can take up to a thousand years to biodegrade.
This, coupled with cheaply made garments utilising microfibres that can take up to a thousand years to biodegrade, means that fashion is a major culprit for unsustainable practices.
What is B1G1?
B1G1 (Buy 1, Give 1) is a Singapore-based, social-enterprise initiative founded in 2007, focused on giving every business transaction the chance to make an immediate impact in the world through a small donation. With the majority of B1G1’s global members being small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this establishes a deeper sense of meaning in our everyday business activities.
While we’re not directly involved in the production and manufacturing of clothing, we recognise that we have a role in embedding more sustainable practices within the industry we participate in. As a result, we are pleased to have partnered with the B1G1 initiative, enabling us to provide our customers with ways to combat the environmental impact of the clothing they purchase.
How does our B1G1 partnership work?
Over the last six months, we have planted over 1,008 trees a on behalf of our customers through B1G1. A tree is planted when:
• An in-store alterations order over $150 is placed
• For every custom tailored shirt sold
• Each Google review we receive (don’t forget to leave yours here)
Our goal is to plant 10,000 trees to help counteract the impact of fashion production on the environment. While we still have a little way to go, we’re confident of getting there with your help.
What else can you do?
In addition to helping us offset our environmental impact, there are several other ways you can contribute towards building a more sustainable fashion industry. This includes:
Mending clothes: Rather than buying brand new, consider fixing up damaged items. Every March we run our mending drive, which focuses on giving attention to jackets, trousers and coats in need of repair. Sometimes, it’s better to spend that little bit on some TLC rather than replacing an entire piece.
Shopping responsibly: Look for brands with sustainable practices. Thanks to Good On You, shoppers can find a full directory of well-known names and details of their ecological impact. Brands are rated on the impact of their operations, including material sourcing, production standards and shipping emissions. No matter the size, corporate social responsibility is key for all fashion businesses.
