Eric Liedtke of UNLESS on pressing fashion to ditch the plastic ingredients and ideating on what it will take for corporations to truly change

<p class="" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">In episode 304, Kestrel welcomes Eric Liedtke, the co-founder and CEO of UNLESS, to the show. A collective of innovators, engineers, artists, and activists, <a href="https://unlesscollective.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">UNLESS</a> make plant-based streetwear designed to leave zero plastic waste.</p> <p><strong>“I think sustainability is one of those hygiene words at this point — like everybody can talk themselves into they’re doing <em>sustainable</em> <em>things</em>. I think we need to get more specific. I think as marketers and storytellers, we need to really be very clear with our consumers what we’re doing. And you know, this crewneck that nobody can see today that I’m wearing, it’s gonna last as long as anything else, but when you’re done with it, it will go harmlessly back to earth. And I’m using some of our old product and some of our scraps actually as feed for my raised bed gardens at home. This stuff works and it makes good, nutritious soil that we can grow roses or cotton or tomatoes out of.” -Eric</strong></p> <p class="" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Have you ever heard that recurring question in the sustainability and fashion space? I’d say it’s also one that permeates the world of climate advocacy as well – and let’s be honest, it’s pretty binary-oriented in its framing. </p> <p class="">I’m talking about the question of which is needed most – individual action, governmental action or corporate change. I mean, let’s be real – we are in a state of emergency here, so all hands on deck is preferable, and many of these overlap, but you know, the mainstream narrative continues to search for the golden ticket that will get us all out of this mess. </p> <p class="">One thing I hear so much more nowadays than in recent years is – the need for corporations to change. There are petitions regularly circulated, there’s all the advocacy work organizations like <a href="https://remake.world" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Remake</a> are doing pushing brands to sign onto the