In the latest episode of The Interline’s podcast, Emma talks to Mike Colarossi, Head of Enterprise Sustainability at Avery Dennison, who shares a perspective informed by 25 years in sustainability on what he sees as the most critical issues today, and the ways technology can play a part.
The conversation with Mike explores why Digital IDs could be so important for fashion; and who bears the responsibility for the full-term impact of a garment; and how far the fashion industry still needs to go when it comes to implementing large-scale recycling and circularity.
Listen to the full 35-minute show below (or by following The Interline Podcast through your podcast / audio app of choice) and read on for some additional details.
Key talking points from Emma and Mike’s conversation:
- Whether having standardised, interoperable product data that transcends the traditional limits of traceability, as well as turnkey platforms for giving brands and retailers access to information they need to be able to capture and disclose for compliance reasons, is going to be something that really moves the needle on sustainability in fashion.
- How far the fashion industry still needs to go to achieve industrial-scale recycling and what it will take to get there and achieve better circularity.
- Why item-level identity using technology (radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and inlays, software platforms, packaging, and display information) is so important right now – from upstream traceability to end-of-life of a product.
- Who bears the bulk of the responsibility for the full-term impact of a garment, whether it be suppliers, brands, consumers, or recyclers and service companies.
- Explaining the reasons behind the industry’s lack of data in the supply chain, and what can be done to solve the challenges around capturing accurate, timely, actionable data at the source.
- Where fashion is on its progress with digital IDs, and the comprehensive vision for transparency and sustainability that Avery Dennison has.
- The additional technologies that could be blended with the RFID tags or Digital Product Passports (DPPs) to increase their value.
- Where the industry should be concentrating its efforts for a more sustainable, and technology-focused future.
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