Ki App

The app functions mostly as a means of information. This app will be downloadable on both the iTunes App store and Google Play. This will allow for all smartphone users to have access to our app. This will be the first app to compare the environmental impact of individual articles of clothing from companies rather than the company as a whole. The main feature is the barcode scanner at the bottom of the homepage of the app. Using this scanner to scan the barcode of any clothing tag will analyze the materials used in production and communicate the environmental impact. For example, polyester is a common component of clothes and is composed of plastic. The energy used to produce polyester requires around three times more carbon emissions than cotton. Moreover, as this is a plastic product, it is not biodegradable and ends up in oceans. As a result, 31% of all plastic pollution in oceans can be traced to plastic textiles like polyester. Moreover, many dyes for polyester and clothes

There are six supplementary functions that our app offers the user. First is the sustainable store locator function. Our company will compile a list of all companies that sell clothing products that are environmentally friendly, either through second-hand or recycled clothing, and create an interactive map. With this map, the app user can see all store locations closest to them and choose to support eco-friendly clothing companies rather than fast fashion chains.

The second function is the resources saved option. After scanning barcodes and opting not to buy the product, the app will track how many resources the user saved and compile a comprehensive list. This will encourage the user to continue to use the app to visually monitor their positive impact on the environment.

Third is the reward points function. Working with our list of sustainable fashion stores, we will incentivize users to shop at these eco-friendly stores by providing reward points for every sustainable purchase. After a certain number of points, the user will receive a redeemable reward at one store of their choosing.

Fourth is the community impact function. This is similar to a chat room where users can leave reviews or recommendations on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle while still remaining fashionable.

The app also includes options to learn more information about outsourcing fashion production, labor conditions, global warming, and the brain drain, a phenomenon that affects developing countries.

Finally, the app features a pie chart that breaks down the user’s purchases by articles of clothing. This will allow the user to recognize when he or she is purchasing too many of one article of clothing and act as a source of motivation to purchase less. With this app, we expect to see a decrease in aggregate consumption of fast fashion and an increase in demand for sustainable clothing options. By supporting sustainable clothing stores, fast fashion companies will either have to change their business model to remain competitive or will be pushed out of the market. Ultimately, this will lead to lower carbon emissions, lower water consumption, and lower plastic pollution of the oceans.

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