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8 Things to Know in Sustainable Fashion and Beauty This January

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28 Jan, 2025

This post was originally published on Good on You

Every month the Good On You team scours the internet to bring you the sustainable fashion and beauty news that matters. Here’s what you need to know in January 2025.

Massive Cleanup Under Way in Ghana After Fire Destroys One of World’s Biggest Secondhand Markets (The Guardian)

As much as two-thirds of the Kantamanto second-hand clothing market has been destroyed by a fire that began on 1st January. The market in Ghana’s capital, Accra, receives around 15m clothes from the global north every week, and is a vital employment source for thousands of people in the region. Daniel Mawuli Quist, creative director of circularity campaigner The Or Foundation, told The Guardian that: “This is a critical moment for the global fashion ecosystem to show solidarity.”

Influencers to Beauty Brands: Stop Sending Us So Much Stuff! (Business of Fashion)

In a report for Business of Fashion, Jordan McClendon writes that beauty influencers and editors are becoming fed up of excessive, opulent, and often unsolicited PR gifts from beauty brands. McClendon finds that brands are “beginning to rethink their gifting strategies to improve efficiency, decrease waste and maximise their chances of getting coverage of their products.”

New Report Suggests 33 Sustainable Targets for a Just Fashion System (FashionUnited)

The Swiss-based global justice organisation Public Eye has released One-Earth Fashion, a new report that identifies 33 concrete targets not for achieving small changes in the industry, but for overhauling it and creating “a new operating system for fashion”. The targets include ensuring that at least 75% of workers in the global fashion system have social protection in line with ILO minimum standards (ILO C102), and eradicating deforestation or other land-use change for fibre crops or leather.

Models Gain Muscle: Fashion Workers Act Becomes a Law in New York (WWD)

Late in December 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the long-awaited Fashion Workers Act into law. It’ll come into effect in June 2025, giving more protections to models, content creators and more freelancers by regulating management agencies. “The aim is to ensure workers receive contracts, payment within 45 days and that they are protected from harassment, discrimination and unsafe working conditions,” reports WWD.

Nike Told to Compensate Workers in High-Profile Labour Controversy (Business of Fashion)

Human rights monitoring organisation the Fair Labour Association has recommended that Nike compensate around $140,000 to garment workers in Thailand who were furloughed without pay by a supplier during the pandemic. Business of Fashion explains that: “Though the companies acted within the bounds of the law, the high-profile dispute was worsened in part because the sportswear giant failed to live up to its own labour standards.”

‘Ridiculous’ Ban on Exotic Animal Skins at London Fashion Week Criticised by Experts (The Guardian)

From 2025, skins from alligators, snakes and other animals will be banned at London Fashion Week, and this report from The Guardian highlights the ongoing debate between conservationists, sustainability advocates, and animal welfare activists on the right approach.

Walmart Pushes Back Climate Change Targets (Financial Times)

In late 2023, Walmart—the world’s largest company by sales—warned it expected to miss its GHG reduction targets for 2025, but that it was still on track for its 2030 goals. Now though, the retail giant expects to miss both targets, the Financial Times reports. It is questionable how Walmart will hit future emissions reduction targets as it continues to scale up and open more stores.

 

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person wearing block printed bikini top by Spell

Spell Debuts Artisanal Collaborative Collection With PROJECTHRIVE

“Good” brand Spell has partnered with PROJECHRIVE to provide women artisans employment by producing the block prints in its latest collection, titled Fable. “Through this collaboration, we’ve contributed to both an income opportunity and access to global trade for these talented artisans,” said Angie Menghini, sustainability manager at Spell.

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Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks has become essential as businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability. IT operations contribute significantly to carbon emissions, energy consumption and electronic waste (e-waste). Organisations that embed environmental responsibility into their IT governance can reduce their ecological footprint, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their brand reputation.

Erica Smith, chief alliance officer and environmental, social and governance lead, Blue Connections IT, said, “Environmental stewardship supports financial performance, risk mitigation and brand differentiation. With rising energy costs, increased consumer demand for sustainable products and services, and growing pressure from investors and regulators, companies can no longer afford to overlook their environmental responsibilities.

“Poor sustainability practices in IT can lead to high operational costs, supply chain risks and reputational damage. Conversely, a proactive approach improves efficiency, attracts environmentally conscious customers and helps future-proof businesses against evolving policy and regulatory changes.

“Integrating environmental responsibility into IT governance integrates sustainability initiatives into decision-making systematically. Organisations can reduce waste, lower energy consumption and extend the lifecycle of technology assets while positioning themselves as responsible leaders in an increasingly climate-aware market.”

There are four key areas that present opportunities to embed environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks.

1. Device lifecycle management

A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of IT assets ensures devices are deployed efficiently, maintained properly and retired responsibly at the end of their useful life. Embracing a circular economy model, where equipment is refurbished, reused or ethically recycled, can significantly reduce e-waste and resource use. Companies that adopt this approach lower their environmental impact and unlock financial value by extending the lifecycle of IT assets.

Smith said, “Effective asset recovery strategies further support sustainability efforts. Integrating secure data erasure and refurbishment into IT governance policies lets businesses repurpose functional devices within the organisation or resell them to external buyers. Responsible e-waste recycling also supports companies to process materials ethically in instances where resale is not viable, reducing landfill contributions and preventing environmental contamination. The adoption of industry-certified data sanitisation methods also safeguards compliance with security and privacy regulations.”

2. Sustainable procurement

IT governance frameworks should prioritise the selection of technology vendors and partners committed to sustainable manufacturing, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient product design. This includes favouring IT hardware with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials and using minimal packaging. Additionally, employing Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) models optimises IT asset utilisation while reducing upfront investment and unnecessary hardware purchases.

Partnerships with sustainability-driven IT service providers can further enhance an organisation’s environmental impact. Working with partners that offer end-to-end IT asset management solutions, encompassing secure device deployment, certified data sanitisation and ethical recycling, simplifies the process of aligning IT operations with sustainability goals. Companies that prioritise environmental stewardship in their IT governance framework gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to responsible business practices.

3. Energy consumption

Data centres, cloud services and enterprise networks require substantial energy resources, making green IT practices essential. IT governance frameworks should include policies to reduce consumption by optimising server efficiency, reducing redundant infrastructure and using renewable energy sources. Cloud providers with strong sustainability credentials can support carbon reduction initiatives, while virtualisation strategies can consolidate workloads and improve overall energy efficiency.

4. Employee engagement

Educating staff on sustainable IT practices, such as energy-efficient device usage and responsible e-waste disposal, creates a culture of accountability. Organisations that implement green workplace initiatives, such as responsible end-of-life disposal programs, reinforce their commitment to sustainability at all levels.

“IT governance must also align with corporate environmental, social and governance commitments. Companies can contribute to broader sustainability objectives by embedding environmental stewardship into IT policies, such as net-zero emissions targets and responsible supply chain management. Clear reporting mechanisms and regular sustainability audits aid transparency, letting businesses track their progress and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders,” Smith said.

Government regulations and evolving industry standards are increasingly shaping the sustainability expectations for organisations. Aligning IT governance frameworks with best practices for environmental stewardship keeps companies ahead of regulatory requirements. Proactive adoption of sustainable IT practices positions businesses as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.

Smith said, “Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks is not just about meeting compliance obligations; it’s about futureproofing company operations and prioritising the broader environment. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability lets organisations drive efficiency, reduce long-term costs and contribute to a healthier planet. Businesses that lead in sustainable IT governance will be well-positioned for long-term success as environmental concerns continue to shape consumer and corporate priorities.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal

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