Green fashion turns old plastics into profits

Editor's note: China Daily is publishing a series illustrating the country's efforts to achieve its carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals.

While China might be well known for its popular fast fashion industry, a growing number of younger, sustainability-conscious consumers are shifting toward greener lifestyles, raising awareness of the impact that their daily choices have on the environment.

The fashion industry is one of the world's major polluters, potentially emitting around 2.7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, according to global management consultancy McKinsey & Company.

In recent years, a collection of sustainable fashion brands have emerged, including those in China, outputting clothing made from recycled materials, made using more eco-friendly manufacturing and promoting a sustainable message.

According to GlobalData, China's green fashion market was valued at $1.95 billion in 2023, and is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of nine percent from 2023 to 2028.