Hi,

Did you know that textiles have their own holiday? 

Today is National Textiles Day, an opportunity to appreciate the function and craftsmanship of fabrics. Many cultures around the world create unique textiles by hand, from the intricate weaving process of the Māori to the complex designs of raffia cloth from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

But the global fashion industry leaves us with little to celebrate. We’ve been swamped with cheap, poorly made garments supported by unethical labor practices. Almost 70% of our clothing is made with synthetic fibers sourced from fossil fuels.¹ These clothes are not skillfully made and not intended to last as long as quality textile fabrics. Fashion brands are primarily concerned with profits and shareholders, and have been willing to sacrifice the health of their workers and the planet in the process. 

That’s why we’re demanding that the fashion industry must change. Make your voice heard and ask the government to take action today.

The fashion industry is almost entirely unregulated and simply will not change on its own. We must ask the U.S. government to establish an Extended Producer Responsibility requirement for fashion brands to sustainably dispose of their waste, institute a carbon tax on clothing made from synthetic materials, enforce a ban on clothing made with child labor, forced labor or indentured servitude, and other essential changes necessary to project people and the environment.  

It’s time for us all to take the initiative and show the fashion industry we won’t tolerate the status quo. Consumers have the power to demand better from the companies they purchase from, and together we can amplify our impact to drive change. 

Take the first step towards holding fast fashion manufacturers responsible by joining with others to sign our petition.

In solidarity,

EARTHDAY‍.ORG

Footnotes:

1. The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/06/clothes-made-from-recycled-materials-sustainable-plastic-climate