The fashion industry, worth an astounding $3.5 trillion, is one of the largest business sectors globally, only trailing behind the automobile and technology industries. However, it also bears a significant environmental burden, contributing to 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of water waste. Approximately 60% of all apparel produced winds up in landfills or incinerators within just a few years, amplifying the issue.

Fortunately, there is a growing shift in mindset as the industry increasingly focuses on sustainability. Environmental awareness, coupled with innovative technology, is paving the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly future in fashion. In this article, we’ll explore what sustainable fashion means and share six ways technology is helping to reduce the fashion industry’s environmental footprint.

What is Sustainable Fashion?

Sustainable fashion refers to creating clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty products in an environmentally responsible way. Its core objectives include minimizing environmental impact, reducing pollution, promoting recycling and reuse, and carefully using natural resources. These principles span the entire production process, from design to manufacturing, packaging, and distribution.

Examples of sustainable fashion practices include using recycled materials, biodegradable textiles, local manufacturing, eco-friendly packaging, and supporting second-hand shopping. Technology is playing a pivotal role in making it easier for fashion companies to adopt and integrate these practices into their operations.

The Importance of Sustainable Technology in Fashion

All fashion brands should strive to reduce their environmental impact, not only because it’s the right thing to do but also because it makes good business sense. According to McKinsey, more than 60% of shoppers prioritize environmental impact when making purchasing decisions. Nielsen reports that over 65% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainably produced goods.

For fashion retailers, especially those with a significant online presence, high return rates create additional environmental costs. Adopting sustainable practices can help reduce these costs, making it one of the best ways to improve eCommerce performance. Moreover, embracing digital transformation in fashion can address broader industry challenges like overproduction, low consumer confidence, and wasteful practices.

By integrating sustainability-focused technology, companies can increase productivity, efficiency, and consumer satisfaction while tackling long-standing issues that negatively impact the planet. Let’s look at six technologies that are transforming the fashion industry and promoting sustainability.

1. Inventory Management System (IMS)

One of the key technologies driving sustainability in fashion is Inventory Management Systems (IMS). These systems offer precise stock tracking at specific locations or sales channels, helping fashion businesses forecast demand more accurately and reduce overproduction. With an IMS, companies can make informed decisions about stock levels, ensuring that the right products are available in the right places at the right times.

When integrated with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, eCommerce platforms, and other software, IMS ensures order accuracy, minimizing the risk of wasted materials and unnecessary returns. This helps companies cut down on waste, lower emissions, and operate more efficiently. Capsule CRM, for instance, supports seamless integration with IMS solutions, making it an excellent choice for small to mid-sized fashion companies looking to streamline their operations and improve sustainability efforts.

2. Alternative Textiles

The traditional textiles used in fashion often require enormous amounts of resources to produce and can take decades to degrade. For example, producing just one cotton shirt uses the same amount of water that one person drinks over two years. As the fashion industry moves toward sustainability, alternative textiles are gaining traction. These materials are ethically sourced, recyclable, and biodegradable, making them an environmentally friendly choice.

Eco-conscious fashion companies are now using natural materials like bamboo, hemp, and ramie as alternatives to cotton. These fibers are durable, require fewer resources to produce, and are easier to recycle. ApparelMagic, a leading software for the fashion industry, can help businesses track their use of sustainable textiles and ensure they meet environmental standards, further reinforcing its status as an essential tool for sustainable fashion operations.

3. Virtual Sampling

Creating physical samples for fashion design has historically been a wasteful and labor-intensive process. Designers would often need to produce multiple samples before finalizing a design, which required substantial amounts of fabric, water, and energy. Now, virtual sampling is changing the game.

Virtual sampling allows designers to create and review digital versions of their products, reducing the need for physical samples. This saves on materials and cuts down on waste, while still providing an accurate representation of the final product. 3D design technology makes it possible to visualize products digitally before committing resources to manufacturing. Capsule CRM integrates with virtual sampling tools, helping fashion businesses manage their design process more efficiently and sustainably.

4. CGI Models

Traditional fashion shows and photo shoots can generate substantial waste, from fabric scraps to transportation emissions. Designers are now turning to CGI models—computer-generated influencers with large online followings—to showcase digital clothing collections. By using virtual models, fashion brands can display their products without creating physical garments, reducing textile waste and cutting down on their carbon footprint.

CGI models also make it easier for brands to reach a global audience, as these virtual influencers can interact with millions of fans through social media. Capsule CRM and monday.com both support collaboration and project management for CGI-driven campaigns, making them excellent choices for forward-thinking fashion brands aiming to reduce waste.

5. Circular Fashion

The fashion industry produces a staggering amount of waste every year, but new initiatives are emerging to combat this problem. Circular fashion aims to keep materials in use for as long as possible by promoting recycling, repurposing, and sustainable sourcing. Brands like Nike, Stella McCartney, and Burberry have embraced this concept, working to extend the life cycle of their products.

By focusing on recycling old garments into new products, the circular economy is helping reduce the amount of waste generated by the fashion industry. ApparelMagic is perfectly suited to support circular fashion initiatives, as it offers tools to track inventory, manage recycled materials, and maintain sustainable supply chains.

6. AI-Powered Returns Management

Returns are a major source of waste in fashion, with billions of pounds of returned goods ending up in landfills every year. However, technology is helping address this issue. AI-powered returns management systems can divert returned items from landfills by redirecting them to stores, refurbishment centers, or charities.

AI can also be used to predict why certain items are more likely to be returned and help brands make data-driven improvements to reduce return rates. By using customer segmentation, AI helps businesses understand return patterns and make smarter decisions about product design and marketing. Capsule CRM integrates well with AI-driven solutions, offering fashion companies valuable insights that improve customer satisfaction while reducing waste.

Why Capsule CRM, monday.com, and ApparelMagic?

Each of these platforms offers unique features that make them excellent choices for the fashion industry.

Capsule CRM stands out for its integration capabilities and user-friendly design, making it ideal for managing customer relationships and streamlining operations. Its seamless connection with inventory management and AI-powered tools helps businesses reduce waste and improve sustainability.

 

monday.com is a powerful project management tool that allows fashion brands to track every aspect of their production process. From design to distribution, monday.com helps teams collaborate more efficiently, ensuring sustainability efforts are maintained throughout the supply chain.

 

ApparelMagic is specifically designed for fashion brands, offering robust tools for managing materials, inventory, and production. Its focus on sustainability makes it an invaluable resource for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact.

 

Conclusion

Sustainable fashion is more than just a trend; it’s a necessary evolution for the industry. As consumer demand for eco-friendly products continues to grow, fashion brands must adapt to meet these expectations. By leveraging technology like Capsule CRM, monday.com, and ApparelMagic, fashion companies can embrace sustainability, improve efficiency, and reduce waste, paving the way for a greener future.