Many fashion brands champion eco-conscious practices, but their suppliers often lag behind. This problem throws a wrench in brands’ eco-conscious goals. There's no need to panic, today, we'll explore solutions to transform unsupportive suppliers into sustainable allies.
Read More: Embracing Conscious Consumerism In Fashion: A Path To Sustainability
Let's get your fashion brand back on track for a greener future with some steps you can take:
1. Assess the Situation
Before rushing right into step 5, brands must identify the issue thoroughly. Document specific examples of the supplier's unsustainable practices. This could be pollution reports, unsafe working conditions documentation, or lack of certifications for materials.
2. Open Communication
Underline how these issues affect brands’ business, customers, and reputation because the severity will influence the approach. If your brand has a good relationship with the suppliers, a direct conversation with data-backed evidence and highlighting the impact on your brand's sustainability goals can be effective. Don’t forget to give positive feedback as a recognition of suppliers’ efforts. For unresponsive suppliers, consider escalating the issue to higher management within their company. Express your disappointment and most importantly, the willingness to find a solution.
“You should not impose your standards or solutions on them, but rather involve them in the problem-solving process and co-create solutions that suit their context and capabilities.” - as said by Supplier Sourcing.
3. Provide Support
To help them meet your sustainability standards, brands can create a Supplier Incentives and Support Program. This could include workshops, access to sustainable materials, financial incentives for compliance, or maybe connecting them to partners such as NGOs, consultants, or certification bodies, that can provide them with technical assistance, training, or funding.
4. Monitor Progress
After putting so much effort into trying to improve your suppliers, monitoring them and evaluating the results is crucial or all of this would be a waste. Conduct regular audits and gather feedback from employees, customers, or communities to assess their satisfaction and perceptions. This action is not only to ensure that your suppliers are making progress toward meeting the agreed-upon standards, but also to review and adjust your plans as needed for continuous improvement and learning.
5. Re-evaluate your options (and seek alternatives)
In the best situation in which your suppliers make significant improvements, you don’t need to do much but build trust and loyalty. Treat them as a long-term partner and not a transactional vendor. On the other hand, if your suppliers are unable (or unwilling) to meet your sustainability standards. Then you will know it’s time to research and collaborate with alternative suppliers who are more aligned with your values. This time, make sure they understand your sustainability expectations from the outset.
6. Implement new strategies
Continuously seek ways to improve sustainability within your supply chain, including regular reviews and updates to your policies and practices. By doing so, brands can develop and implement a more effective Supplier Code of Conduct that outlines sustainability requirements and expectations for all suppliers.
Read More: Boost Sustainable Fashion With Green Practices
7. Learn and adapt
Failure teaches success. Reflect on what you've learned from the problems and how you can prevent similar issues in the future. Adapt your supply chain management strategies to ensure better alignment with your sustainability goals.
In conclusion,
Always keep in mind that the goal is to achieve a sustainable supply chain. There is no need to accelerate the situation when simple, open communication can fix the problem. But also be prepared to leverage your buying power or explore alternatives if necessary. Let’s secure a sustainable future for your fashion brand with Inflow's vetted supplier network and transparent production tracking. Get a consultation now.