Blockchain has certainly made an impact on many levels. Supply chain is just one of the applications of this technology. Therefore, it is no wonder that profitable fashion industry teams up with blockchain start-ups every so often. Customers are becoming more and more aware of the fact that we need to protect the environment and recycle whenever possible.
Start-Ups and Recycled Materials
Dutch company Waste2Wear is just one of the most recent blockchain-start-ups exploring the opportunities of blockchain in saving the environment. However, what they claim makes them leaders among fashion enthusiasts is the fact they produced the world’s first collection of recycled fabrics. Namely, they used ocean plastics to produce material for clothing.
The plastic this company use, gets collected near the coast of a small island near Shang Hai. Reportedly, fishermen collect more than three tons of waste from the ocean weekly.
The important thing is that the material is traceable through blockchain. Their collection premiers at Paris international textile fair Première Vision whish started yesterday and will end tomorrow.
The Drive Behind the Project
Apparently, the customers are becoming more environmentally aware in time. Some of the companies wisely thought that there would be a specific customer demand for recycled clothing. And there certainly is.
Apart from the demand, there is also the need to save the oceans, for example. According to many researches, fashion companies worldwide produce 92 million tons of solid waste. The largest parts of that waste go into landfills or oceans. This type of waste kills wildlife, leading to extinction of certain species. It also pollutes the waters almost irreversibly, as plastic for example, takes up to 1,000 years to decompose.
Where Does Blockchain Fit in?
Naturally, making clothes out of plastic is a tricky process and takes time. Blockchain can help in tracing not just the provenance of the material, but each step in the manufacture as well. This can assure the customer that the material of the clothing has truly been recycled. On the other hand, it boosts the manufacturers image of a reliable and environmentally friendly entity.
One of the blockchain features that has already been accepted is its usability in supply chain management. Furthermore, blockchain can fight counterfeit goods, and allow for easy tracking of royalties. Maybe the most interesting aspect of blockchain in fashion is its ability to protect the digital identities and establish authenticity. We are living in times of individualism, when everyone wants to be authentic. Uniqueness means luxury. And fashion industry strives for it.
Would you wear recycled clothes?