Environmental And Environmental Issues In The Textile Manufacturing Industry

The textile manufacturing industry is one of the biggest industries in the world that is currently worth nearly three thousand trillion dollars. The industry is constantly growing with the wants from consumers around the world. In order to meet and satisfy these wants from customer, “Development in the textile and clothing industry has focused on technological and cost aspects. Emphasis has been placed on keeping the price of the final product low and increasing efficiency in production.” (Niinimaki & Hassi, 2010, p. 1876) At the same time, with this expansion of the textile manufacturing industry and its consumption, pollution, climate change, fossil fuel and raw material depletion, and water pollution and shortage are constantly occurring

As a response of various environmental issues from the textile manufacturing industry, green or sustainable textile manufacturing has aroused in recent years. The idea and concept of sustainable textile manufacturing is involving ethical and sustainable considerations to the entire supply chain process, from textile production to apparel manufacturing to retailing. “According to the Ethical Fashion Forum (2011), ethical fashion “represents an approach to the design, sourcing and manufacture of clothing which maximizes benefits to people and communities while minimizing impact on the environment.” The ethical fashion industry follows an ethical production cycle which creates social and environmental value.” (Cervellon & Wernerfelt, 2012, p. 177) Consumers is the biggest contributor and the reason of success for the textile manufacturing industry, therefore, in order to promote the growth and future for sustainable textile manufacturing, the education and knowledge that consumers have on green fashion and a new mindset for business and manufacturing are crucial for the future of a better environment for

Sustainable manufacturing requires the green fashion knowledge from consumers to make it work. Green fashion knowledge is, “Environmental attitude models or consumers’ perception and beliefs on green products”. (Cervellon & Wernerfelt, 2012, p. 178) This is crucial because it raises awareness for consumer for the environment and hence promote the importance of green and sustainable textile manufacturing. But consumers often get the wrong idea and clarity of the true meaning behind it, “Consumers seem to doubt the existence of sustainable production processes, especially in the fashion industry where manufacturing is often outsourced to emerging countries” (Cervellon & Wernerfelt, 2012, p.178) Consumers often believed that sustainable manufacturing is only practiced by a minimal amount of manufacturers, so the concern for sustainable fashion is often neglected. On the other hand, the image of green fashion is often related to dull and not in style, so the majority of people will prefer fast fashion that is trendy, up to date and cheap. To promote the benefits of green fashion, it will take time to educate consumers and transfer knowledge to them. In a study performed by Marie-Ce ́cile Cervellon and Anne-Sophie