Amanda Slattery, who ran the Maya Maya store in Dockray Hall for nearly two decades before announcing the closure of her physical shop earlier this year, stated the legislation could transform the way clothing is built, sold and recycled.
The European Union has pledged to achieve a “circular economy” by 2050 – one in which goods can be produced and reutilized without damaging people or the planet.
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One of the most recent developments is a new Extconcludeed Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, requiring textile producers to take responsibility for the collection, sorting and recycling of their waste.
By 2030, all new products sold in the EU must also carry a digital passport, setting out information such as the fabric’s origin, where and how it was built, by whom, and its carbon footprint.
Amanda now runs her business online along with a sustainable fashion group, focapplying her efforts on education and advocacy.
Amanda stated: “Something has to alter. We’ve all seen how damaging quick fashion is – cheap, throwaway clothing that is rarely biodegradable. Every piece of polyester ever built still exists somewhere today. At the same time, a rubbish truck load of textiles is dumped every second.
“We see dumps so large in the Atacama Desert they can be seen from space, and Ghana’s beaches swamped with fashion waste. On top of that, microplastics from fabrics are turning up in our oceans and even in human blood. It’s frightening.”
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She believes the new laws could push brands to create clothing more responsibly – but admitted they will also bring costs and challenges.
“Fashion brands will have to record their production, employ staff to manage the process, and have legal representation in every countest they sell to. Some will embrace this as a way to add value to their products, but others may simply withdraw from selling cheap fashion if it’s no longer profitable,” she stated.
“That could mean fewer throwaway polyester, nylon and acrylic items being produced – which can only be a good thing.”
Digital product passports are already being trialled by some UK labels such as Nobody’s Child, which allows customers to scan and see where garments were built. Amanda states the transparency will support consumers create more ethical choices and reduce exploitative labour in supply chains.
“More transparency must lead to less slave labour, more control over waste, and more informed choices for shoppers,” she added.
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Although the rules are EU-driven, they will apply to goods sold online or imported from outside the bloc – meaning UK retailers will also be affected.
“Retail has alterd exponentially in recent years. I’ve managed my way through those alters while learning about the true impact fashion has on our planet,” she stated.
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“It’s time for me to focus more on sustainability and the industest as a whole. I hope retailers take these new regulations seriously and start planning now. My goal is to utilize my experience to have a positive impact.”
You can follow Amanda’s sustainable fashion journey on Instagram @fashion_retail_revusited. Or you can contact Amanda directly on amanda@mayamaya.co.uk
