Compare the earth today with just a few short decades ago and you’ll see in a second that life is unmistakably different. And technology has been at the heart of these changes. Due to rapid developments and enhancements in the world of technology, we now find ourselves with so much information at our fingertips, so quickly. The world has changed, and we have changed. Industrialization has tipped our world upside down, it has changed what we consider to be ‘normal’ and has changed our mindsets on a whole host of issues. In fashion and retail, it has changed the customer’s behavior, expectations and habits. Whereas many people used to seek out high-quality and authentic product, today many are looking for the cheap quick fix of fast fashion. The denim scene is no exception and has experienced revolutionary changes since the 1950’s. But many changes have been for the better, in an effort to shift the customer’s mindset and re-focus their attention on sustainable practice and a ‘buy less, but better’ approach. Processes have been improved to answer the constantly growing demand of denim and machinery is now more efficient than it was. Many are also seeing the benefits of recycling and up-cycling as a way to combat the harmful impact that the fast fashion industry can have. While there are many positives, we still need to look at the facts. According to the Global Footprint Network, we are currently using 1.7 earths’ worth of resources annually – meaning that we use almost twice as much as our earth can generate. So the call for sustainability has never been greater and we as a society must continue to strive for more. Sustainability has become a buzzword in the denim industry in the last few years. The focus has dramatically shifted from producing as much as possible to producing as responsibly as possible. Being one of the most polluted industries, the denim world can’t continue as it has done in previous decades. Together the denim industry has started to look for sustainable alternatives and means of production that would meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations and retaining the existing strengths of the industry. Similarly, technology has never seen such fast developments than during the Twentieth Century, particularly in the last few decades. More often than not as a way to be more efficient, effective and of course, convenient. Many technological solutions (more so as of late) have been driven by the need to be more eco-conscious, after all, it is human nature to look for ways to constantly improve and innovate. Arguably this has never been more apparent than in the last few years. Where sustainability and technology come together is the starting point of improving existing processes and practices in order to lessen the impact on our earth. Processes that were initially developed in order to be efficient in terms of time and money, now need to be re-evaluated and adjusted to be more efficient for our planet and Mother Nature. It is clear that sustainability and technology are inseparably connected. Sustainable challenges are pushing technology to move forward, and technology is giving answers to sustainable issues. They are key to one another and inseparable in the modern world. A factor which unites the two of course, is science. Thanks to continued groundbreaking scientific research, which put leading denim manufacturers in a position to change for the better, we’re able to go some way to protecting our planets’ vulnerabilities. Without Science, we probably wouldn’t even know that our planet is suffering, let alone proactively come up with solutions for problems that humankind has helped create. It’s the combination of these factors that are allowing us to make progress in these uncertain times. The application of scientific research and knowledge alongside technological developments and engineering advancements, means that we’re now in a position to increase efficiency, sustain production processes and enhance quality. And most crucially, doing this while lessening the impact on the environment. The denim industry has been designed to produce as many pairs of jeans as possible and currently has a dizzying capability of producing 6 BILLION pairs of jeans per year. The supply chain has been designed to be super-efficient in terms of cotton-to-customer, but unfortunately there is a huge impact on our earth as collateral damage to this approach. Sadly, the denim industry has become one of the most polluted industries, with the usage of conventional cotton, water and chemicals as some of the major culprits. Fortunately, scientific research, technological enhancements, activists and those who are fighting for change have clearly demonstrated the seismic impact that the industry has and as a direct result many mills, manufacturers, retailers and consumers have taken steps to be more aware of the issues at hand and what can be done to combat them. The collective effort in the industry and the use of technology has led to promising sustainable solutions throughout the whole supply chain. By the invention of sustainable alternatives to conventional cotton - like organic cotton, recycled cotton and Tencel - today we have options to utilize less harmful raw materials in denim production, as well as having a continuous dialogue around environmental impact at every fair or trade show. In addition, inventions such as laser, Ozone, and Foam-Dye are reducing the use of water and chemicals significantly. Not to mention the deployment of grass roots solutions like filtration systems and solar energy which are now commonly used in the industry. Although our industry still has a long way to go, the future looks green. We have collectively come a long way from the mass production of the 90’s and 00’s when there was little regard for the environment and the motivating factor was revenue and celebrity endorsements. Now, with technology at the forefront of sustainability efforts, the results are promising. With continued weight on the discussion around environmental impact and efforts to educate all in the supply chain, the industry is changing. And we are changing with it.