The world moves fast, and we know you are too busy to keep up with all the sustainable fashion news. To make your life easier, we have done the work for you! Here are the most important news we have curated for this month.
Clothes piling up in your closet? A landmark California bill would mandate brands recycle them (source: The Guardian)
The Responsible Textile Recovery Act -a new California (US) bill- aims to address the growing issue of textile waste by requiring clothing producers to implement statewide recycling programs for apparel, towels, and household textiles. This legislation mandates that manufacturers fund and operate systems for collecting, repairing, and recycling discarded textiles, reducing the burden on consumers. With broad support from environmental groups, retailers like IKEA and Goodwill, and over 150 endorsements, the bill seeks to shift the fashion industry toward a circular economy. If passed, the program will be operational by 2028 and could set a precedent for similar efforts in other US states, while helping to mitigate the environmental impact of fast fashion and textile waste. However, concerns about potential cost increases for consumers and small brands remain.
Pandora now crafts its jewelry with 100% recycled silver and gold (source: Pandora)
Pandora has completed its transition to crafting all jewelry with 100% recycled silver and gold, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s sustainability efforts. According to their website, by using recycled metals, Pandora avoids 58,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, reducing its environmental impact while maintaining the quality of its products. The shift, which culminated after several years of effort and collaborations with suppliers, highlights the brand’s commitment to circularity and aligns with industry-wide goals to reduce reliance on newly mined materials. The first fully recycled jewelry pieces will be available in stores by early 2025.
Why Ebay is showing secondhand fashion on the runway (source: Vogue)
eBay is leveraging cultural moments like London Fashion Week and Love Island to promote pre-loved fashion, aiming to make secondhand shopping mainstream. Through partnerships with fashion councils and live-streamed “Endless Runway” events, eBay showcases a wide range of resale items, blending high fashion with everyday pieces. This push aligns with eBay’s efforts to drive circular fashion and reduce overconsumption, though concerns remain about whether resale can effectively displace new purchases. With initiatives like the Circular Fashion Innovation Fund, eBay seeks to support broader circular economy goals while addressing sustainability challenges.
Mulberry achieves B Corp certification (source: Fashion United)
Mulberry has become the latest British fashion brand to achieve B Corp certification, scoring 87.1, surpassing the industry standard of 80.9. The luxury brand was recognized for its commitment to responsible sourcing, product circularity, and environmental practices, including sourcing 100% of its leather from accredited tanneries and launching its “recommerce” platform, Mulberry Exchange. This certification reflects Mulberry’s ongoing sustainability journey, which includes plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035 and further expand its repair and resale programs globally. CEO Andrea Baldo emphasized that while this is a significant milestone, it is just the beginning of Mulberry’s efforts to drive positive impact for communities and the environment.
Next-gen material startups are deprioritizing fashion (source: Vogue)
Next-generation material startups are shifting from fashion to sectors like furniture and automotive to achieve the scale and speed of adoption needed for success. Struggling to find sufficient support within the fashion industry, companies such as Herman Miller and Veshin Factory are partnering with diverse industries to drive innovation and market their sustainable materials more effectively. The bankruptcy of Renewcell highlighted the challenges of relying solely on fashion, prompting startups to explore broader applications and attracting investments from major players like BMW and Jaguar Land Rover. While this diversification can accelerate the commercialization of new materials and enhance sustainability efforts, it also risks diverting focus away from fashion, potentially limiting the industry’s ability to meet upcoming regulatory demands and climate goals.
Missed last month’s news? No worries—catch up on all the previous news right here!
