In a bid to reinforce its’ existing stance on fast fashion, the Students’ Union (SU) has declared itself as a fast fashion-free zone.
This comes after outrage from students at companies such as SHEIN and JD Sports – outlets they claim contribute to the fast-fashion crisis – being allowed to sponsor events that occurred in the SU building.
The SU argues these events were organised by an external company, and that their advertising was removed once they became aware of it.
Louis Poyelle (Geography Councillor) raised this policy at the December Council meeting in order “To highlight the SU’s breaches of their [the SU’s] Fast Fashion Free Campus policy”.
A plan of action has been outlined by the SU Council, recognising the key areas that need to be addressed in order to label our SU as a fast fashion free campus.
The SU will promote sustainable alternatives, such as the swap-shop located in the SU, and will look to ensure all uniforms and society outfits are responsibly sourced.
Finally, the SU will look to expand their definition of fast fashion to ensure that they have no dealings with companies or suppliers that partake in these kinds of practices.
In the Council’s December meeting, the institution outlined the problems with the fast fashion industry:
‘The industry is the world’s second biggest polluter, emitting 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent yearly, and, with current technologies, it would take 12 years to recycle what the industry creates in 48 hours; currently most of it is landfilled.
Evidence of forced and child labour in textile production has also been found in over nine countries in the Global South’
The minutes for all SU Council and Executive meetings can be found on the SU’s website.
