Did You Know? The Truth Behind Green Certifications

Although many clothing brands promote recycling, less than 1% of textiles worldwide are recycled into new clothing. Most discarded textiles are downcycled into lower-value products, incinerated, or sent to landfill. This highlights why choosing durable products, supporting circular business models, and understanding credible sustainability certifications are just as important as recycling.

Understanding Green Certifications

Sustainability labels are intended to help consumers identify products that meet specific environmental and social standards. However, not all certifications assess the same criteria. Some focus on the origin of fibres, while others evaluate the entire supply chain, including chemical management, water consumption, workers' rights, and traceability.

For this reason, a product carrying one sustainability label should not automatically be assumed to be fully sustainable.

Looking Beyond the Label

True sustainability goes beyond marketing claims. It requires transparency throughout the production process, responsible resource management, fair working conditions, and continuous environmental improvement.

How STC Makes a Difference

The Sustainable Textile Counsellor (STC) project equips learners and professionals with practical knowledge to evaluate sustainability in the textile sector. Participants gain a deeper understanding of recognised certification schemes, circular economy principles, responsible production practices, and strategies for identifying misleading environmental claims.

By strengthening sustainability literacy, STC supports a more transparent, ethical, and environmentally responsible textile industry.

Sustainability is not just about buying greener products—it's about making informed decisions based on credible evidence.