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We are all in this together

My Take | January 27, 2025 | By: Janet Preus

In the years since I started editing a magazine about textiles, I’ve seen a steady increase in the number of stories crossing my desk that have to do with sustainability issues. From reducing waste, to recycling, to using products without potentially dangerous chemicals, to designing more sustainable materials, to creating  a healthier environment in the workplace, there’s been  no lack of something to talk about. 

I don’t have specific data on this, so it is anecdotal evidence garnered from covering advanced textiles for years, but I’d say the awareness level within the industry and among consumers about sustainability has grown exponentially. We are more aware that there is a problem, we are more aware of what, exactly, the problems are, and we are seeing more solutions offered than ever before. 

Different issues bubble to the surface at different times. Currently on my radar is a report – as I understand it, the first ever – from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) concerning what it calls “a crisis in textile waste.” We will all rise to collectively point the finger at fast fashion, which deserves its notoriety. We can also collectively say, “That’s not us.” True. But who is going to fix this? 

The answer is complex. The GAO offers some solutions, but they seem to me to be heavily dependent on the federal government leading the charge. That would be great, but given the new administration, it seems rather unlikely. More likely is that the groundswell of interest among consumers and the growth of industry participants dedicated to doing better in the sustainability realm will gradually demand change – if not in those terms, by illustrating the advantages of running a more sustainable business. It’s not the fast track, but it is a track and, given the crisis (and it is a crisis), movement in the right direction is a lot better than no movement, or going backwards. 

Those of us living this business day-to-day are exactly the ones who are in a position to make the necessary changes. My contribution will be writing about it and running the stories you send to us about your activities and accomplishments. So, by all means, tell us what you know, what you think, what you’re doing, and let’s support each other in this important and ongoing task. 

Janet Preus is senior editor of Textile Technology Source. She can be reached at janet.preus@textiles.org.

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