February 2020 Issue Apparel February 2020 issue | Page 68

FEATURE
AS MOST FAUX FUR IS NON-
BIODEGRADABLE, IT POSES A
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT
DOWN THE LINE.
to know for sure what the future holds, since
fur-based goods don’t necessarily fit into the
fast-fashion product segment.
There are many who have highlighted that
faux fur is not the solution. Most fur proponents
are quick to remind that fur is a naturally
sourced and long-lasting good. This is true, as
most fur products are rugged and of long-
term use, which can last for years and even
generations, whereas faux fur is an artificially
produced synthetic material, which has been
developed using technological advancements
in synthetics. This leads us to the core dilemma
of faux fur-based goods becoming a part of the
fast-fashion problem.
As we have discussed in our earlier articles,
fast fashion has a major environmental impact
on a global scale, with over US$500 billion’s
worth of waste arising from its business model.
If we add faux fur to this mix, we risk more
plastic-based synthetics to join this heap. As
most faux fur is non-biodegradable, it poses
a major environmental threat down the line.
However, we are too early in this transition
60
I APPAREL I
February 2020
MANAGING SUSTAINABILITY
As it stands, the irony of the fur industry is
palpable. While a new generation of progressive
and ethically minded producers and consumers
moves away from animal products, we’re still
not sure if it is ready to give up on affordability
and convenience. Sustainable apparel requires
producers and consumers to change their ways
together due to their intricate interdependence.
As long as consumers continue to purchase
cheap, fast-fashion products, brands will
continue producing these goods.
The true ethical and environmental
choice in apparel trade has to be led by the
consumers. And while we can expect a few
local governments to intercede and lay down
progressive laws, it is not a global solution. The
only balanced way forward is for consumers
and producers to take proactive steps towards
enhancing recycling and upcycling initiatives
that can mitigate the waste and damage to the
environment. Until then, while we may be saying
goodbye to fur in its slow, gentle decline, the true
threat to the environment remains.