The Swiss Watchdog Public Eye launched a petition on Tuesday, May 6th, which requires the creation of a Swiss mode fund to combat fast fashion. More precisely, this fund would oblige to participate in the social and ecological follow -up costs of their business model.
The occasion? Numbers that speak for themselves: Despite the now known, devastating consequences of fast fashion, the production and the consumption of cheap fashion items of low quality are increasing worldwide. In Switzerland, one person consumes an average of over 14 kilos of clothes and shoes a year, and 100,000 tons of old clothes are often worn, often hardly worn, burned as garbage or exported to countries with lower incomes.
According to Public Eye, the Swiss Federal Council recognizes the problems caused by almost fashion and emphasizes the need for more sustainability in production and consumption, such as the possibility of a tax on clothing recycling. However, there are no concrete political measures such as in the EU and especially France; The initiatives of companies are all voluntary. “However, these are far from sufficient and are often greenwashing,” said Public Eye in a message.
Modefonds instead of voluntary initiatives
Public Eye sees three advantages in the establishment of the proposed mode fund: First, fashion companies have to pay a contribution to the fund for every new article they bring to the Swiss market. The production of fast fashion would therefore be less attractive.
Second, the amount would be less, the more durable and sustainably a produced piece of clothing, which would create incentives for high -quality, fair and more environmentally friendly fashion.
Third, the fund promotes cheaper repairs, more second-hand offers, high-quality recycling and more sustainable production.
“Fair rules for everyone, also take responsibility, also for external environmental and social costs. The Swiss mode fund makes an important contribution and rewarded sustainable action,” commented Tobias Meier, Global Product Manager, Cotton Textiles at Fairtrade International.
The other supporters include: the organizations of Solifond, Swiss Fair Trade, the Uniager Uniager and others include the organizations of Solifond.
The petition “For durable dresses instead of disposable fashion” can be viewed and signed on the public eye website.