Matter Tackles Microfiber Pollution, Fashion Pact Expands Cotton Decarbonization, Shein Investigated for Greenwashing, UK Fashion Industry Calls for Variable EPR Fees
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Matter and Paradise Textiles Collaborate to Tackle Microfiber Pollution
British climate tech company Matter and Paradise Textiles, the innovation hub of the Alpine Group, announced a partnership to address the growing issue of microfiber pollution in textile manufacturing. The collaboration, unveiled during New York Climate Week, focuses on deploying Matter’s Regen for Textile Production—a new microfiber filtration technology designed to prevent microfibers from entering waterways during textile production.
The project will install Regen at Paradise Textiles’ low-impact fabric mill in Egypt by late 2025, with the aim of demonstrating the technology's ability to reduce microfiber emissions, energy consumption, and carbon impact. This initiative builds on Matter’s previous innovations and aims to provide scalable solutions to address the 120,000 tonnes of microfibre pollution generated annually by the global textile industry.
The Fashion Pact Expands Unlock Program to Accelerate Cotton Decarbonization
The Fashion Pact announced the expansion of its Unlock Program, which incentivizes sustainable cotton farming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across supply chains. After a successful pilot in 2023 that saw reductions of 200-600 kg of carbon per hectare in India and up to 2,000 kg in the U.S., the program will scale up in 2024 to include more than 10,000 farmers. Developed in collaboration with sustainability consultancy 2050 and Future Earth Lab, Unlock offers financial incentives to farmers for adopting regenerative practices. Brands can purchase “Unlock Units,” representing GHG reductions, to support their climate goals, while also addressing biodiversity and water impacts.
By 2024, the program aims to achieve at least 10,000 tonnes of GHG emissions reductions and provide €1.2 million in payments to farmers. Looking ahead, the initiative hopes to expand beyond cotton to other materials and industries, further fostering collaboration across the fashion sector to meet pressing climate targets.
Italy’s Antitrust Agency Investigates Shein for Misleading Environmental Claims
Italy’s Competition Authority (AGCM) has launched an investigation into the Dublin-based company that operates Shein’s Italian website, Infinite Styles Services CO. Limited. The investigation focuses on potential misleading environmental claims in sections of Shein’s site, including “evoluSHEIN” and “Social Responsibility.” The AGCM asserts that Shein’s portrayal of its sustainability efforts may be vague or deceptive, particularly regarding the amount of “green” fibers in its garments and its commitment to decarbonization, which contradicts Shein’s 2022 and 2023 sustainability reports.
Meanwhile, six European Union countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, have urged the European Commission to enforce stricter regulations on Shein and fellow e-commerce platform Temu, citing concerns over product safety and compliance with EU consumer protection laws. The EU’s Digital Services Act, which took full effect in February 2024, places additional obligations on platforms like Shein and Temu, with the potential for heavy financial penalties if found in violation.
Global Fiber Production Hits Record 124 Million Tons in 2023, Says Textile Exchange Report
Textile Exchange’s 2024 Materials Market Report reveals that global fiber production reached an unprecedented 124 million tons in 2023, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. The report warns that production could climb to 160 million tons by 2030 if current growth rates continue.
Key findings include a rise in virgin fossil-based synthetic fibers, which now make up 75 million tons of global production, while cotton and recycled fibers saw slight declines. However, certified responsible animal fibers, like mohair and cashmere, achieved nearly half of the market share. Manmade cellulosic fibers also grew, reaching 7.9 million tons in 2023.
UK Fashion Industry Calls for Variable EPR Fees
A new white paper from QSA Partners, backed by industry leaders like the UK Fashion and Textile Association and the British Fashion Council, is urging the UK government to immediately implement variable Extended Producer Responsibility fees. Unveiled at the UKFT Sustainability Conference in London, the report calls this a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to drive sustainability and establish a circular economy in the UK fashion and textiles sector.
The white paper emphasizes the potential for transformative change in how clothing is designed, produced, and consumed, with the introduction of EPR fees funding local operators to process products sustainably. It also pushes for investment in the UK’s circular infrastructure, job creation, and skills development.
→ Read the paper
Pandora Transitions to Fully Recycled Silver and Gold in Jewelry Production
Pandora has officially transitioned to using 100% recycled silver and gold in all of its jewelry, a move that aims to reduce the brand’s carbon footprint by avoiding 58,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The first products crafted from fully recycled metals will be available in early 2025, with the shift expected to cost an additional $10 million per year. This milestone follows Pandora’s decision to stop sourcing newly mined silver and gold in December 2023.
As part of its sustainability efforts, Pandora has also phased out mined gemstones in favor of lab-grown diamonds, which carry a significantly smaller environmental impact. The company has worked closely with its supply chain, conducting audits at over 40 sites to ensure compliance with the Responsible Jewelry Council’s Chain of Custody standards.
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