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Senator Biaggi Sponsors “The Fashion Act” to Hold Fashion Industry Responsible for Its Impact on Planet

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Malorie studied English at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and works as a writer and... Read More

Fast fashion is a growing issue, with little regulation in place to combat its prevalence. However, that may be changing.

New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi is co-sponsoring new legislation that would hold fashion companies to higher standards and demand transparency regarding the environmental and social impacts of their businesses.

According to ELLE, the proposed legislation, the Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act, would require fashion companies with over $100 million in revenue (that do business in New York) to “map their supply chains, disclose environmental and social impacts, and set binding targets to reduce those impacts.”

Additionally, they would be required to publically disclose both the materials they use and the wages they pay workers.

“There is not one company on this planet that can ignore the issue of their environmental impact.”

And that is why I’m proud to carry The Fashion Act with ⁦@annakelles⁩.

⁦@ELLEmagazine⁩ ⁦⁦@NSIFashion2030⁩ https://t.co/VkiOxY1L4I

— Alessandra Biaggi (@Biaggi4NY) January 14, 2022

While the act has seen some pushback according to Women’s Wear Daily, it’s also garnered a lot of Support. A range of people and environmental groups have endorsed the act, from Stella McCartney to the NRDC and EarthDay.org.

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If passed, the Fashion Act would be the first of its kind in the United States. Companies who don’t comply with the act’s requirements would face fines of up to 2% of their revenue, which would go to Support Environmental justice organizations, according to ELLE.

Biaggi is hopeful that the act will be passed this summer.

If you’re interested in reducing your own impact on the planet, ending your support for fast fashion and becoming a more conscious consumer is a great start. To help you do so, we have so many resources available: sustainable fashion tips, a capsule wardrobe guide, questions to ask before buying clothes, a how-to for waste-free laundry, and a huge list of sustainable and ethical fashion designers.

When you are looking to buy new clothes, it’s helpful to have some guidance in terms of which fabrics are best. Learn more about the ethical and environmental impacts of textiles such as Polyester, Hemp, Bamboo Fiber, Soybean Protein Fiber (SPF), Lyocell, Linen, Denim, Recycled Wool, and Recycled Plastic. You can also find some ethical alternatives to unethical textiles such as Fur, Leather, and Wool and Mohair.