Gimme six for 2026

Top sustainability trends shaping the year ahead

- By JOYCE REYES-AGUILA

Trends for this year are being listed everywhere. A new year often brings opportunities to introduce new approaches, or strengthen movements that gained traction late in 2025. While every aspect of daily life comes with its own set of trends, it is always encouraging to see ideas that are expected to dominate the year while also benefitting the environment.

Looking across different industries, we gathered sustainability-driven trends worth watching—practices that can be enjoyed, adopted and felt good about in 2026.

Efficiency in fashion

Technology, rather than traditional advantages, is expected to drive efficiency in the fashion industry, according to McKinsey & Company. In its report, "The State of Fashion 2026: When the rules change," the firm said companies must become more efficient to sustain growth. New technology is seen as key to boosting productivity while lowering costs.

McKinsey noted that competitiveness is no longer centered on low-cost sourcing alone. Instead, companies are being pushed to invest in differentiators that support long-term growth. This shift often involves energy-efficient and smart systems, as well as a stronger preference for sustainable materials that have a lower environmental impact.

Hail, resale