The EU Commission reported that the European Union alone is responsible for dumping nearly 5 million tons of clothes annually. Most fast-fashion brands that claim to be sustainable are actually doing “greenwashing.” This means that 53% of the green action claims are nothing but false commitments.
These false claims have emerged from the use of Digital Product Passport. Pangaia, a well-known material science company, owns the Pangaia Digital Passport Product system, which authenticates its claim of sustainability.
Read ahead to learn more about how Pangaia is using DPP to enhance authenticity, sustainability, and transparency to drive positive change in the fashion industry.
Role of DPPs in Promoting Sustainability and Circular Economy
This is how Digital Product Passports promote sustainability and a circular economy:
Lifecycle Tracking
As DPP is a key instrument that contains all the information about the product from its origin to its end-of-life, consumers, retailers, and environmental control regulations can easily track key circular practices.
Manufacturers and consumers can easily understand which components of the product can be reused as all the details of raw materials can be accessed by DPPs. This reduces the sourcing of unnecessary raw materials. Similarly, DPP gives a better understanding of the accurate sorting, processing, and reverse logistics systems of recyclable materials.
Waste Reduction
DPPs have a crucial role in reducing waste as the documentation of sources, methods, and composition of materials encourages recycling and repurposing. This accurate information improves the quality of the recyclable material, ultimately reducing contamination. This effective waste management approach of DPPs reduces landfill waste, which supports the goal of a circular economy.
Consumer Awareness
DPP also contributes to providing awareness to consumers about the environmental impact of their purchases. As detailed information is accessible by DPPs, people can make informed purchasing decisions and support brands that are prioritizing circular economy principles.
Pangaia and Digital Passports: A Match Made for Sustainability
Pangaia is a material science brand that is contributing to the fashion industry by manufacturing loungewear with biobased materials. The mission of the company revolves around creating high-quality and eco-friendly clothing with minimum environmental impact.
Pangaia implementation of DPP system
As the brand’s core goal is sustainability, the implementation of the Pangaia Digital Product Passport straightly aligns with its mission. The DPP document contains all the information on the raw materials whether it is regenerative fibers or bio-based dyes.
The comprehensive details of the manufacturing process validate the claim of ethical manufacturing. With a DPP system, Pangaia is building positive consumer relationships and encouraging responsible purchases.
Circular Economy Initiative: Pangaia ReWear
Pangaia has launched “Pangaia ReWear,” which is a prime example of how digital product passports can be implemented to promote a circular economy in the fashion industry. Here are the features of this platform:
- Digital ID: Each product of the Pangaia has a unique QR code that contains all the information about the product, including the source of raw material, the composition of the product, the manufacturing process, and environmental impact.
- Resale Platform: To reduce landfill waste and encourage the concept of “preloved” and “repurposing”, Pangaia developed a ReWear platform. Here, customers can sell their pre-owned Pangaia garments. This resale process is streamlined by the integration of ReWear with the DPP system.
- Easy Resale: The Pangaia ReWear is quite user-friendly and requires no technical understanding. Consumers just need to scan the QR code of the garment and all the information will be uploaded on the platform easily.
- Price Determination: Based on the condition and original value of the garment, the platform suggests a resale price as well but consumers also have a facility to adjust the prices.
This approach of the Pangaia involves consumers in the circular economy initiative as well by reducing landfill waste and promoting reusing.
Potential Challenges of Implementing DPP in the Fashion Industry
Technological Integration
Integration of the DPP system with the existing data and products is a challenging phase. It requires intensive resources and the collaboration of tech experts. Pangaia also had to face the technical challenges in the launch of Pangaia ReWear.
Consumer Adoption
While implementing a DPP system, consumer adoption is the biggest hindrance for the fashion industry. Pangaia combated this challenge by using sustainability and eco-friendliness as “unique selling points”.
When people got to know their bio based approaches and the ReWear brand, they were more into adopting the DPP systems as Pangaia has made them a part of it as well.
Cost Considerations
However, implementing a DPP system requires an extensive amount of money and its maintenance needs an allocated budget as well. If you are looking for the best DPP software that also doesn’t break your bank, check out the details here.
Conclusion
So, this is how the Pangaia Digital Product Passport contributed to the circular economy. With individual digital IDs containing all the information about the products, Pangaia provides clear access to the information to its consumers and retailers.
Moreover, the ReWear brand has been launched to reduce landfill waste as well.
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