The problem
The textile industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, after the oil industry. This is partly due to the growth of the fast-fashion model, which is based on low-cost manufacturing and rapid consumption of garments with a short life cycle. This model generates the following problems:
Environmental pollution
The fashion industry generates 92 million tons of waste each year, consumes 79 trillion liters of water and is responsible for 10% of carbon dioxide emissions.
Toxic chemicals
The textile industry uses around 15,000 different chemicals during the entire production process, some of which are very harmful to the environment and health and can cause allergic reactions and even increase the risk of cancer.
Social dumping
The race to reduce costs in the fashion industry is leading to the relocation of textile production to countries with more lax working conditions. This leads to the destruction of quality jobs in developed countries.
the solution
Sepiia is a smart, sustainable fashion company that uses innovative materials and processes to manufacture clothes that generate less environmental impact in their production and maintenance. Their clothes are more efficiently maintained and recyclable, which means they can have a second life, contributing to promote the circular economy.
In addition, from the raw material to the final garment is produced in factories in Spain and Portugal in an ethical way, generating quality employment, with less use of chemicals and lower CO2 emissions.
the sustainable development goals
SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth: Sepiia produces its garments in Spain and Portugal. This not only generates local employment, but is also due to the lower environmental impact, the proximity to reduce CO2 from transport, the quality certificates to ensure the best performance, and the working conditions of its workers. Some of the goals to which Sepiia is heading are 8.2, which talks about achieving higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological modernisation and innovation; or 8.5, which seeks to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for women and men, as well as equal pay for work of equal value.
SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production: Sepiia has at the centre of its business sustainability at all times, both in the production process and in the application of functionalities that allow for the reduction of the impact generated by the use of its garments. Within this objective, there are several goals that fit with Sepiia's mission, such as 12.4, which talks about achieving the ecologically sound management of chemicals and all waste throughout their life cycle; or 12.5, which refers to significantly reducing the generation of waste through reduction, recycling and reuse activities.
HOW DO WE MEASURE IMPACT?
We calculate Sepiia's environmental impact by taking the production of one of its shirts as a reference, and comparing it with the production of a conventional shirt.
Water saving (in litres)
We measure the volume of water consumed in the production of a cuttlefish garment, compared to that of a conventional garment.
Carbon footprint reduction (in Kg CO2eq)
We measure how much greenhouse gas emissions we avoid in the production of the Sepiia garment, compared to the footprint of a conventional garment.
Waste reduction (in kg)
We measure the least amount of waste generated in the production of the garments in Sepiia.
Reduction of chemical dumping (in PO4 eq)
We measure eutrophication, which consists of an excess of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems (lakes, rivers, reservoirs, etc.) due to the discharge of sulphates and phosphates, altering the ecosystem and diminishing its biodiversity.
