by Niki Esmaili
Did you know that the United States alone produces 11 million tons of textile waste a year? Or that it takes 700 gallons of water just to make a single cotton shirt? I bet you didn’t know that while shopping for a pair of jeans or a shirt from your favorite brand. Information like this doesn’t really cross our minds when we shop and most people don’t really consider the effect that waste in the fashion industry can have on our environment. Well, now that you know, I hope you will take into consideration some of these tips about how to be more sustainable when shopping, you will be doing the environment a huge favor and you still have the opportunity to be unique with your fashion choices. It’s a win-win!
#1: Shop Secondhand
About 70% of the world’s population shop clothes secondhand. Some people might seem a bit uncomfortable shopping secondhand since the clothes previously belonged to someone else, however, it is a great way to save money and you might be able to find some serious keepers! A designer shirt that may cost $100 could cost as much as $10 at your local thrift store. You never know what people give away and it is definitely worth the look. Shopping secondhand also prevents excess clothes from being made and it contributes to the development of recycling communities.
#2: Upcycle Your Clothing
Upcycling your clothes is another great way to save money and reduce waste. Instead of simply throwing away an old piece of clothing, renew it and give it new life; you can get creative with a DIY project. For instance, you can give new style to a few old t-shirts or create something completely new out of them such as pillowcases, blankets/quilts, tote bags, or scarfs or headbands.
#3: Donate or Consign Unwanted Clothing
If you start to realize that you haven’t worn a piece of clothing for a while or if you have outgrown a few things, you might want to consider consignment or donating them. Per year, the average American throws away around 82 pounds of textile waste. As unfortunate as that may seem, the good news is that secondhand stores resell up to 75% of unwanted clothing. And, if you’re looking to gain a few bucks, consignment stores offer you money back for gently used clothing or designer items. You will also be doing some good and giving your clothing away to certain people who need it more.
#4: Buy Less
Evaluating your shopping habits is the first step to sustainable shopping. Before coming to any final decisions when purchasing any item of clothing, ask yourself some basic questions such as:
How many times will I wear this?
What is this made of?
Can I match this with anything from my closet?
Do I really need this or do I just want it?
Spend your money on items that you feel are worth your money and items that you feel 100% confident in wearing/using.
#5: Shop Local
Finally, shopping locally is a great way to shop sustainably. This way, you will know where your clothes are sourced from and you will strengthen your local community and create more jobs for people in your area. The customer service experience is usually more enjoyable as well and you will be creating a friendlier environment for local businesses.
Comments