Using Fabric Manipulation as an Important Aspect of Zero Waste Fashion Implementing Fashion Sustainability

Abstract

Fashion is the second most polluting industry after the oil industry while much of material waste comes from consumers; the preconsumer production chain is a significant contributor. On average, 15% of fabric is discarded on factory floors during cutting, assembly and quality-checking stages. This may sound negligible, but with nearly 400 billion square meters of fabric being produced per year a culture of excess and wastefulness, that devalues fashion garments without conscious consideration of the raw material, production or design value, is impacting the potential for more sustainable consumer practices.