The textile industry is responsible for 20% of global water waste and generates 92 million tons of textile waste each year. Its practices have resulted in a carbon footprint that won’t disappear overnight, but the industry is beginning to change its habits to become more environmentally conscious.
Ethical fashion, in particular, has emerged to provide the world with clothing of equal or better quality with minimal environmental and social impact. In fact, ethical fashion is projected to grow to $11.12 trillion by 2027, with an annual progress rate of 8%.
For brands with specific, specialized product portfolios that incorporate the latest technology, such as in the medical apparel sector, sustainability stems from waste reduction strategies and partnerships that ensure sustainable practices with both the environment and workers.
At Colorchain, we implement a production model for medical uniforms that allows us to offer quality and sustainability simultaneously, partnering with suppliers and organizations that minimize waste and promote social well-being.
Let’s explore the sustainable alternatives that the medical apparel industry can adopt to be more sustainable in the production of uniforms and supplies.
Reducing Textile Waste to a Minimum When Manufacturing Medical Uniforms
Although much is said about the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills daily, little is mentioned about the overproduction of garments. It has been reported that between 15 and 45 billion garments produced each year will never be sold.
These figures are in the hands of the textile industry, and it is their responsibility to reduce them to a minimum. This requires using less conventional but equally effective production models and a high level of planning to produce exactly what is needed.
A model that ensures a business does not purchase more raw material than necessary or produce more goods than it sells is just-in-time production. This approach also ensures that workers perform their tasks at a manageable pace and work as a team, thereby reducing work overload, prioritizing well-being, and ensuring quality.
Higher Quality Garments to Reduce Returns and Waste
For many years, people—mostly women—have struggled with size disparities from brand to brand. The list of brands producing incorrect sizing is extensive, but the number increased with the rise of fast fashion and its environmental impact, where brands pay little to no attention to detail and product quality, as seen with Shein.
The lack of quality in fabric and sizing, among other issues, has also increased the rate of returns for online purchases to 40%. These returns lead to unused clothing and a higher contribution to greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.
The medical uniform industry, given the high physical activity and biological risks managed by its clients, must ensure the best quality in its products to provide comfort to healthcare personnel. Attention to care, precision in sizing, and the use of good materials are crucial factors, not only to reduce gas emissions but also to support the mental health of professionals.
Partnering with Sustainable Textile Suppliers for Uniform and Supply Production
Medical uniform fabrics are made from very specific materials and require special chemical processes to effectively protect medical staff. These materials include polyester for making fluid-repellent uniforms that protect the skin from biological risks and also feature moisture-wicking properties that regulate body temperature and manage sweat. This fabric can be found in tops, pants, and medical coats.
Given these requirements, textile suppliers have the capability to recycle their fabrics, as they are mostly plastic, and reuse them to make new textiles. Additionally, practices are starting to develop that use less water to dye fabrics with micronebulization technology, which could help the industry reduce water consumption by 40 to 80%.
Supporting greener suppliers is a significant advance in the sustainability of the medical uniforms each brand manufactures.
Explore our Colorchain catalog of medical garments made with high-quality standards and sustainable practices.
