H&M Can Do Better
By: Ella Sutton
H&M has been a popular fashion brand since 1947. They are known for their
fast-fashion clothing for women, men, and children. This brand has been a staple in many
people’s homes due to their up-to-date trends and affordable prices. H&M claims to be 80%
sustainable, but there have been many allegations that this is not true. The allegations state that
they are claiming to operate as a sustainable company so they can take advantage of their
customers' compassion for the environment. So the question is, are they truly eco-friendly as
they state and if not, what do they need to change in order to be?
There are a variety of ways that H&M can improve their corporate responsibility as well
as their actions to be sustainable. Fast-fashion has been known for not being eco-friendly and is
one of the most substantial problems for fashion brands. When a company creates fast-fashion
they tend to create more of a problem for the environment due to people discarding the clothing
away too fast therefore more resources are needed to create more and more clothing products. To
improve, H&M can take into consideration that they need to act on their claims and try to find
ways to minimize fast-fashion. For a globally known company you should take the responsibility
of your own words and find a way to improve your values.
According to The Fashion Law, H&M removed their “sustainable products” due to them
being accused that it was not truly sustainable. As a company that has been accused, H&M needs
to make a conscious effort to operate the way they are claiming that they are. As a well known
company, they need to be able to educate their employees on what’s important to the company
and how to value their customers. Consumers these days want to know what your brand is all
about and want to see transparency through your brand.
Therefore, H&M can improve by being more ethical within their claims to be more
sustainable and need to be more transparent to their consumers, if not they will start to lose
business. The company could create a day of care where they help clean up the community due
to them wanting to become more eco-friendly. This way it connects them to the community and
even the world. There are so many ways to be able to also educate their employees with research
on becoming more sustainable and how to also be more ethical. They can be more self aware that
they are making the right choices. If they are wanting to put the planet first then they need to take
action. H&M can become a better company who cares about our planet and values their
consumers.
Reference Page:
Tfl. “H&M Is Being Sued over ‘Misleading’ Sustainability Marketing.” The Fashion Law,
13 Dec. 2022,
https://www.thefashionlaw.com/hm-is-being-sued-over-misleading-sustainability-marketing-product-scorecards/.