Sustainability and the Textile Industry

It’s probably been a while since you’ve cracked open a history book and were able to spout off facts about the Industrial Revolution that began in the 18th century. For those of you that need a quick refresher, History.com explains that the inventions of the cotton gin, electricity, and the transcontinental railroad helped shift a society with agricultural priorities into one with industrialized and urban priorities.

There’s no denying that this time period brought about incredible improvements that impacted countless industries as well as touched an infinite number of lives. Nevertheless, before the 21st century, environmental friendliness wasn’t exactly a priority. Fast-forwarding to present day, modern businesses are embracing the lessons from the Industrial Revolution and taking them one step further. Not only are practices and products being improved, but they are done so in a way that puts the health of the environment at the forefront of the business.

The textile industry is no exception when it comes to putting sustainability first. According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “a growing number of manufacturers are realizing substantial financial and environmental benefits from sustainable business practices.” It goes on to mention that those in the textile business are making sustainability a top priority in order to improve their brand reputation and have a positive impact on potential and existing customers.

However, being sustainable provides much more value than what is contributed to the bottom line. Companies in the textile industry today know that taking care of the planet now and in the future is the main reason to embrace this philosophy. According to Manufacturing.net, the textile industry continues to find ways to incorporate sustainable energy and materials, produce significantly less waste, and investigate ways to convert from fossil-fuel energy to electric energy in their daily responsibilities. This is something that Fletcher Industries has experienced first-hand. We recognize that promoting sustainability and producing environmentally friendly textiles means that we can continue to effectively serve our customers for years to come while also making a positive impact on our precious environment.

Though we’re more educated on why the textile industry is making sustainability a top concern, it’s equally important to know how the industry is embracing these sustainable practices. In an article from Transparency-One, it explains that textile producers and retailers now go through an intricate process that involves assessment, certifications, and research in order to make sure their products and services are as sustainable as possible. In recent years, tools have been invented to grade the environmental impacts of textile supply chains; if a problem is detected during the assessment stage, it can quickly and easily be resolved. It goes on to describe how certain organizations inspect textile factories, guaranteeing that strict production methods and labor conditions are met. This helps keep the short-term and long-term impacts on Mother Nature top-of-mind.

The textile and manufacturing sectors have come a long way since the first Industrial Revolution. With alternative materials and processes in place, getting necessities to populations that need them becomes a more sustainable practice. Executing designs with high-quality materials and meticulous manufacturing practices, Fletcher Industries is doing its part to improve the larger supply chain and promote an eco-friendly environment.

Sources:
https://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution
https://www.epa.gov/sustainability/sustainable-manufacturing
https://www.manufacturing.net/article/2018/05/how-you-can-benefit-sustainable-manufacturing
https://www.transparency-one.com/getting-sustainable-ethical-textile-industry/

Sustainability and the Textile Industry

American manufacturer for over 170 years.

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