After reading a few depressing news articles recently, I am much more aware of the impacts from clothing manufacturing. Water usage (particularly for cotton) is very high, water pollution is common - about 20% of all industrial water pollution is from clothing production [source], different materials have different carbon footprints, clothes are not worn as long as previously, and the consumer culture lifestyle lends itself to higher purchasing rates. And that doesn't even take into account the micro particles and micro plastics that could escape your clothes through the washing machine and run off into the ocean. It's incredibly depressing.
I am not exactly the exception to the rule but my cheapness lends itself to being a relatively minor clothing consumer. I wear clothes until they don't fit, get irreparable holes, literally fall apart, or can't be worn in public anymore. What doesn't fit but would fit others I donate. Those that fall apart I turn into cleaning rags (we always need more in this house with 3 pets) that I wash and reuse until those too fall apart.
But I'm not the norm.
HOWEVER! It's not all doom and gloom. There are many options the consumer has at his or her disposal. You can...
1) Wear your clothes until they can't be worn any more.
2) Buy clothes only when necessary. Sometimes it's necessary, like when you're down to 1 pair of wearable pants. Eliminating unnecessary clothing purchases will also be nicer to your wallet too.
3) Buy USED clothes. There's tons of options locally usually (Goodwill, Plato's Closet, etc) but also I'm a huge fan of REI's new Used Gear Shop. I tend to go through outdoor clothing pretty regularly so I'm in love with this.
4) Buy responsible clothing. There's tons of options for this too! Although they're more expensive. But if you're buying less clothing you're probably still coming out in the black.
5) Rent clothing for those fancy events. I get dressed up for a formal affair 1 or MAYBE 2 times a year, so this is an option for me but may not be for everyone else. I have a formal gala coming up so I decided to rent a dress for $30 instead of buying a dress that I'll likely not wear again. I get to spend less money, not have to leave my house to go shopping, and I don't add to my closet!
However, sometimes you just need new clothes. I have started to look into buying used clothes like #3 above and also looked for companies that are environmentally responsible. I have purchased items from a few of these and definitely plan to check out more of these because I love their missions.
* TenTree - they plant 10 trees for every item sold
* REI Used Gear Shop - practically brand new gear/clothing for cheaper than new!
* Patagonia Worn Wear - used Patagonia gear!
* United By Blue - for every item sold they remove 1 pound of plastic from oceans/waterways
* HoodLamb - makes their clothing out of hemp in a responsible way
* Mable - bamboo toothbrushes that are sustainable and that intrigues me even though not clothing
* Ivory Ella - 10% of profits goes to Save the Elephants which I LOVE
* Makai Clothing Co - 10% of profits goes to sea turtle conservation which I also LOVE
* Sand Cloud - 10% goes to #savethefishies
* 4Ocean - every bracelet removes 1 pound of plastic from the ocean!
* Parks Project - profits go to funding projects in the US National Parks!
* The North Face Renewed - renewed used North Face clothing!
* prAna - fair trade, sustainable, you name it
* Vissla - upcycled board shorts and tees
* Pura Vida Bracelets - profits go to various causes including dolphin and ocean conservation
* Lokai Bracelets - profits also go to various causes including Oceana and WWF
* Happy Sloth Co - 10% of profits donated to sloth protection and conservation
* Passport Ocean - 15% of profits go to ocean and marine life causes
* Take More Adventures - every item sold plants 10 trees
* Awake the Soul Outdoor Clothing Co - 10% is donated to helping families get clean water
* The Parks Apparel - each clothing item bought protects 100 sq yd of wildlife habitat
* Signature Seas - 10% of profits to ocean cleanup and marine conservation
More Information:
The Apparel Industry’s Environmental Impact in 6 Graphics
World Resources Institute, accessed 19 September 2018
Vice News, accessed 19 September 2018
Phys.org, accessed 19 September 2018
More than ever, our clothes are made of plastic. Just washing them can pollute the oceans.
More than ever, our clothes are made of plastic. Just washing them can pollute the oceans.
Vox, accessed 20 September 2018
Natural Resources Defense Council accessed 19 September 2018
Phys.org, accessed 19 September 2018
The Conversation, accessed 19 September 2018
Patagonia, accessed 19 September 2018
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