In a recent episode of Building Great Tech, host Simon and Anastasija spoke with Josh Dorfman, founder of Plantd and host of The Supercool Podcast, about a surprising solution to the fashion industry's environmental impact. Dorfman argued that clothing companies can become more sustainable by shifting their focus from talking about the environment to leveraging technology—particularly artificial intelligence.
Dorfman emphasized that the key is to stop marketing sustainability and start embedding it into operations. AI can optimize supply chains, reduce waste, and predict demand more accurately, minimizing overproduction. He also noted that many companies fail because they preach to consumers rather than making sustainable choices the easy, default option.
The conversation highlighted that sustainability isn't just a marketing angle; it's a strategic advantage. By using AI to track materials, energy use, and logistics, brands can cut costs and carbon footprints simultaneously. Dorfman's message: don't just talk green—use smart tech to be green.