ECO-FRIENDLY FASHION 

SHAREABLES: THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE FASHION IS HERE 

The production of clothing that is not sustainable, biodegradable, and/or eco-friendly is causing significant damage to our environment. The chemicals and materials used in production are part of this problem. However, high consumer demand adds to the concern, even if we are producing eco-friendly products. Every product, no matter how carefully manufactured, adds to the overall environmental toll. This is not a sustainable model and if we do not make changes soon, the consequences may be irreversible.

Shareables directly helps reduce waste by allowing the use of one primary product (shirt, bag, jacket…) with many different interchangeable graphics and looks. Panels are small, easily stored, and made of biodegradable material. The clothing and accessories are smart, attractive, innovative, and fun. Every purchase helps support the environment. On top of that, by continuing to offer graphics that promote social and ecological justice, we further our mission. By encouraging people to create their own designs, we enhance community spirit.

Our product specifically addresses the high environmental cost of clothing production by introducing a collection that is created in an eco-friendly way and that, by its very nature, encourages the production of fewer shirts, bags, overalls, and jumpers while continuing to allow and promote significant individual expression.

Our goals include reducing clothing production while increasing creative expression; shining a light on the high cost of continued consumption and encouraging other companies to look for creative solutions; becoming a part of the ecological solution; and partnering with other companies to use our products for their creations and products.

After our initial launch, we plan to begin selling frames that consumers can attach directly to their own clothing and accessories, encouraging up-cycling, which further reduces consumption and waste. We will also offer frame-making videos for do-it-yourself patrons. 

MATERIALS

Since Inclusivi-Tee launched, we have been working towards creating sustainable fashion. We started by using shirts made of recycled plastic. The shirts were soft, comfortable, and durable and we loved the notion of getting bottles off of beaches and out of landfills. After doing some research, we learned that the problem with recycled plastic shirts is that they continue to leak small plastic microfibers into the waterways, contributing to ocean and wildlife pollution.

We then began using organic cotton shirts, which are biodegradable and do not have the same negative fiber footprint. Upon further research, we found that, while organic cotton is definitely better for the environment than regular cotton which is grown using harmful pesticides, growing cotton in general uses a significant amount of water. Because water conservation is a necessary part of taking care of the earth we began to search for natural fibers that can be grown with less water.

This led us to hemp and lyocell, the two fabrics we are using to create Shareables.