Simple changes in the way we shop and care for our clothes can help us lessen our carbon footprint and save the freshwater ecosystem, oceans, and soil of our planet.
These easy suggestions will help you stock an eco-friendly closet with long-lasting, stylish clothing:
1. Start with used goods. Purchase used apparel from online resale stores, thrift stores, consignment stores, and vintage retailers. Benefit for the environment: You’ll be lessening waste and the adverse effects of overproduction of new goods.
2. Purchase fewer garments. Consider the products you purchase. Invest in clothing that fits and looks nice, as you will wear it often. You can put together a variety of styles by mixing and matching pieces from your well-chosen wardrobe. You can seem more put-together and fashionable with fewer, well-made pieces combined with the appropriate accessories than you can with many inexpensive pieces. Bonus: You’ll appear better and discover your style of inventiveness.
3. Only spend money on clothing you genuinely need and enjoy. Instead of focusing on what fashion designers are trying to force on you, think about your style and the message you want to convey. Think about whether you currently own an item of clothing that is similar before purchasing a new one.
4. Make local purchases. Purchase clothing from nearby stores, accessories from nearby artisans, and alterations from your neighborhood tailor. Benefit for the environment: Supporting your local economy while reducing carbon emissions from shipping is achieved by buying garments locally.
5. Act instinctively. Rather than purchasing apparel made of synthetic materials, opt for natural fibers. Natural textiles such as cotton, linen, bamboo, flax, jute, silk, wool, and alpaca can be substituted for synthetic ones. Investigate low-impact materials like Lyocell and Modal as well. Steer clear of spandex, acrylic, nylon, and polyester. The fossil fuel used to make these products, petroleum, has a high emission rate. Benefit for the environment: You’ll lessen the quantity of microplastics, which originate from synthetic fibers lost during washing, in rivers and oceans.
6. Invest in organic. Whenever possible, purchase clothing made of organic materials. Benefits for the environment: You’ll help maintain clean water sources for the planet and lessen the usage of pesticides and herbicides.
7. Purchase eco-friendly brands. Select ethical companies that respect the environment, pay their employees properly, and are open about their whole supply chain, not just a portion of it. Many brands advertise that their clothing lines are made of renewable materials, even when the garments are nevertheless produced using unethical labor techniques. Before making a purchase from a brand, make sure to complete your homework on them. Benefits for the environment: You’ll be supporting businesses that care about people and the environment by refusing to do business with polluters.
8. Choose quality products over quantity. Longer-lasting items are often of higher quality. Examine the fit and quality of your clothes. Verify the zippers and seams. Consider durability while making your purchase, even if it costs a little more. Long-term financial savings can be achieved by purchasing well-made clothing since you won’t need to replace as many pieces. Bonus: Your investment will eventually pay for itself with many more wears.
9. Purchase clothing from designers who offer free or inexpensive repairs for their items. Most high-quality products come with lifetime warranties or are designed to be repairable. Conversely, inexpensive, popular products are occasionally manufactured to endure only a season before being thrown away.
10. Look for ethical companies that will recycle or purchase from designers or organizations that are prepared to accept and recycle their worn clothing. They might even return your used clothing with cash or credit.
11. Check for accreditations. It is crucial to look for certifications attesting to the ethical and sustainable manufacturing practices of clothing. Here is a comprehensive list of certifications to check for when purchasing a business.
12. Trade with neighbors and friends. Organize a clothes exchange among friends. Benefit for the environment: You’ll enjoy yourself while removing items from landfills and expanding your wardrobe!
13. Give rather than toss away. What is garbage to one is a treasure to another. Instead of throwing away unwanted clothing, consider donating it to nearby shelters or resale stores. Benefit for the environment: You’ll help your neighborhood while keeping trash out of landfills.
14. Trade in old clothes. Sell your clothes to physical or virtual consignment stores. Used clothes can be bought and sold on a plethora of websites and applications. This is a quick list of websites that will help you declutter your closet. An environmentally friendly bonus is that you’ll make money while keeping trash out of landfills!
15. Repurposed apparel. An old piece of clothing can be given new life with a needle and thread and a pair of scissors. Benefit for the environment: You’ll save money and keep rubbish out of landfills! You give each item of clothing a distinct and unique quality when you fix it!
16. Recognize that you are unable to alter the system. Not as individuals but as a group, we consumers have the power to pressure the industry to switch from its current volume-and-price-based business strategy to one that emphasizes value. We have the power to influence the fast fashion industry’s trajectory and dynamics through our purchasing power. Simple changes in the way we shop and care for our clothes can help us lessen our carbon footprint and save the freshwater ecosystem, oceans, and soil of our planet.