A global research study conducted by the certification company Oeko-Tex has revealed that millennials, born between 1981 and 2000, feel that the textile industry is the major contributor to the rising levels of pollution.
The latest report by Oeko-Tex states that these groups will influence the world textile market “for the decades to come”. Further, it shows an inclination towards sustainable textiles as both millennials and parents demonstrated a higher interest in certified textiles.
Around 11,000 people were surveyed in the report entitled ‘The Key to Confidence: Consumers and Textile Sustainability – Attitudes, Changing Behaviours, and Outlooks’. Markedly, millennials form 30 per cent of total respondents in the survey.
The survey was commissioned to mark the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Oeko-Tex, which is an independent testing and certification association for raw, semi-finished, and finished textile products at all processing levels.
Interestingly, it was observed that their (millennials and parents) awareness level and purchase interest in “eco-friendly” clothing or sustainable materials were considerably higher than people without young children. Parents with kids are more eager to buy “sustainable” products.
Internet and the use of social media are vital in making millennials more aware of the textile industry’s environmental and social shortcomings as compared to the older respondents, the study highlights. Their awareness about the environmental damage done by the textile industry has made them more conscious and concerned about the harmful substances in their clothing.
