IoT conversations in the media and on social channels dropped one spot to No. 39, its first move of any kind after holding the No. 38 spot for three consecutive months. And in fact, the term registered a 3% increase in coverage volume from July, up from 25,143 stories to 25,801.
One hot item in the IoT space comes from an unusual industry: fashion. A film released in August, a Hong Kong documentary called reFashioned, looks at the trend of circular fashion – the notion that clothing items can live several lives (think vintage clothes). This leads to a more sustainable product.
How is this IoT? Several fashion companies, including Melbourne-based Yellow Octopus, are working with tech companies to create apps through which consumers can register used clothing items before donating them. Once tagged, the clothing is followed via the web as it goes from the donation center to either a person or need or to a textiles manufacturer capable of recycling. (Some materials are not easy to recycle and require special technology.)
It’s a fascinating and unique use of IoT, not to mention a potential game-changer for the sustainability movement. Fashion is a major contributor to carbon emissions – 10% of the world’s total, according to a 2019 UN report. What’s more, that pair of jeans you’re wearing required 999 gallons of water to make.
