When you hear about any topic related to sustainability, it’s easy to overwhelm yourself with information. In addition to facts, you’ll face misinformation and myths about environmental clothing. Luckily, it’s also fairly easy to set the record straight. Review this starter’s guide to help you have sustainable fashion and be environmentally conscious.
Reusable and Recycled Clothing
There are charities and organizations that support the reuse of people’s clothing. The Salvation Army engages in this activity to help poor and homeless people. Most people donate their clothing because they tire of the designs or outgrow the size. As a result, many recycled clothes are in good to excellent condition. In addition, reused clothes are free or significantly cheaper than the same clothes that are sold in stores.
Reusing clothes is helpful for the environment because it reduces the effort of having to manufacture new ones. Instead of filling up landfills, people can reuse unwanted pieces of clothing and not pollute the environment. In addition, fewer workers commute to work in factories and clothing stores, and thus they travel fewer miles to import or export the clothing. If you have clothing that doesn’t fit or suit your style anymore, donate it! Thrift
Sustainable Fibers and Materials
Manufacturers make sustainable fibers for the best interest of the environment. These fibers are durable and very long-lasting to prevent degradation, which leads to the clothes being disposed of quickly. Sustainable, eco-friendly fibers include organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo. You can recycle eco-friendly clothing countless times before the materials break down. Sustainable swimwear, such as these examples from dosgardenias.com, made of recycled nylon or plastic is an example of clothing that can be reused hundreds of times.
Sustainable Clothing Manufacturers and Businesses
Become more conscious of what you wear by supporting eco-friendly clothing companies. Buy from companies that pay attention to manufacture and do not support wasteful practices. Support local businesses to avoid the complications of having to import clothing from other countries. While it can be difficult to know exactly where and how production happens, it is possible. Look for companies that make sustainability a part of their mission statement and are transparent about their manufacturing processes.
The Dyes and Chemicals Industry
Manufacturing clothing takes a great deal of consumption of renewable and nonrenewable resources. This over-consumption results in air, water, and soil pollution that has irreversible damages. Chemical plants make dyes for fabrics, and these chemicals could accidentally end up in waterways. To produce large fields of cotton, farmers use massive quantities of pesticides. As you look into sustainable manufacturing, be sure to consider these industries. If you can’t find out how a given clothing company handles dyes, ask them. Their answers might be illuminating.
The fashion industry is a largely disposable industry that has major detrimental effects on the environment. Each year, people discard millions of clothes that end up in landfills. Everyone should make an effort to return or exchange clothing that they don’t like and donate the ones that they don’t want anymore. This summer, you should take some effort to get sustainable fashion in your life.
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