The textile industry has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years due to its environmental impact.
This critique targets not only fast fashion but also the traditional clothing market, which includes formal attire such as suits.
In response to these environmental concerns, an exciting alternative has emerged - renting suits over buying.
This article explores the environmental benefits of renting suits, focusing on resource conservation, waste reduction, and carbon footprint minimisation.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE TRADITIONAL SUIT MARKET
The traditional suit market contributes significantly to environmental degradation. A single suit requires several meters of fabric, typically made from non-renewable resources.
The production process involves energy-intensive manufacturing, including extracting raw materials, spinning, weaving, dyeing, and finishing, all contributing to environmental pollution.
Moreover, a typical suit is often worn just a few times before being discarded, leading to a waste issue.
HIRING A SUIT IMPROVES RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Resource conservation is one of the most pronounced environmental benefits of renting suits over buying. The production of a suit needs a significant quantity of raw materials, such as water, petroleum (in the case of synthetic fabrics), and cotton. By opting to rent instead of purchasing new suits, consumers can significantly reduce the demand for these resources.
To put things into perspective, producing one kilogram of cotton, enough for a single suit, requires roughly 10,000 to 20,000 litres of water. This massive water footprint contributes to water scarcity in many parts of the world. We can drastically decrease the water required in the fashion industry by choosing to rent suits.
HIRING A SUIT REDUCES WASTE
Another crucial environmental advantage of renting suits is waste reduction. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans discarded approximately 17 million tons of textile waste in 2018. Unfortunately, most of these discarded clothes end up in landfills or aren't recycled, leading to further environmental degradation.
Renting suits instead of buying them can play a significant role in decreasing this textile waste. If a suit is rented and returned, it can be worn by multiple people over its lifetime instead of sitting unused in a wardrobe after a single event. Consequently, fewer suits need to be produced, leading to a reduction in textile waste.
CARBON FOOTPRINT REDUCTION
The production and transportation of new suits contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The textile industry, as a whole, accounts for about 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent per year – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. This means that the emissions associated with producing new suits are incredibly high.
Renting suits can contribute to a significant reduction in these carbon emissions. When a suit is rented instead of bought, the carbon emissions associated with production are spread over multiple uses. In other words, a single suit's production emissions can be amortised over many events, reducing the carbon footprint per use.
RENTING AS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY STRATEGY
Renting suits can be seen as a form of circular economy, a system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. In a circular economy, products are used for as long as possible, and at the end of their life, their materials are reused or recycled, leading to more sustainable use of resources.
In the case of suit rental, the 'product as a service' model is implemented. Instead of owning a product, consumers pay for its service - in this case, the prestige and style offered by a Rathbones Tailor suit.
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF SUIT RENTAL
In an age where sustainability is no longer a luxury but a necessity, exploring alternative modes of consumption, such as suit rental, is vital. By renting suits instead of buying them, we reduce the demand for raw materials, decrease waste, and minimise our carbon footprint.
Suit rental presents an opportunity to shift towards a more circular economy, promoting sustainable practices in the fashion industry. As consumers, we have the power to shape the market. So, let us use this power wisely and make good choices for us and our planet.
Are you looking for a suit to hire? We've got you covered. Check out Rathbones range of suits for your special occasion.