One of the most current topics is the global pollution and the innumerable consequences it is having on our planet. Believe it or not, fashion is one of the factors having a major impact on Earth.
I was surprised myself when discovering how harmful and toxic are microplastics contained in synthetic textiles; it has been demonstrated that around 500,000 tons of microfibers end up in our oceans each year, polluting the water and destroying marine life; not to mention the 10% of carbon emission created by the fashion industry – a percentage even higher than the international and maritime aviation together! This is disturbing news considering that nearly 300,000 tonnes of clothing go to landfill each year and that just 15% of garments that we no longer need are recycled.
It is extremely worrying and frustrating at the same time, thinking that we are in 2021 and there are still many people who need more education and awareness in the field.
Thus, what is sustainability and what can we do to change this grave situation?
Sustainable fashion is a movement and a process of fostering changes to fashion products and the whole fashion system towards greater ecological integrity and social justice.
As many sustainability experts say, the key issue related to this worldwide problem is due to an excessive production. In fact, collections keep changing so rapidly that we may not even realize it, driven by an insatiable appetite for consumerism. This generates an incredibly fast cycle of passing trends that end up thrown in the trash after a very short amount of time, polluting the environment in a jiffy.
So, how can we contribute towards a greener planet?
There are several things that we could try to do to prevent this, starting from small simple actions. Firstly, we should expand our knowledge in this phenomenon which has been spreading significantly in the last few years. We could do that by taking advices on what kind of fabrics we should or should not buy and where we could eventually find the more sustainable garments, developing a sense of responsibility when doing shopping. We could avoid purchasing the excess, and consequently be more considerate wearing a limited number of fabrics with a better quality.
Is this really possible? Indeed, it is. Therefore, before going, I will leave you with some useful tips on how to shop more sustainably.
The first advice I would like to give you is:
- Educate yourself, getting to know the fabrics and where they are manufactured
In this way you will have a better understanding of what you are going to buy, and you will certainly know what to avoid in the future. Brands who operate sustainably will state their environmental ethos on their websites, therefore you will be on the safe side.
Alternatively, I would suggest you try downloading the ‘Good On You’ app for sustainable fashion. It is a great way to easily check the impact of your favourite fashion brand on the planet and it has plenty of positive reviews.
- Buy 4-5 main garments that you can use to create different outfits
What matters is not how many clothes you have in your wardrobe, but their quality and if you know how to pair them correctly.
I have a few dresses and shirts that I wear on special occasions, but also on a night out with my friends. If you learn how to play with your accessories, you will see that it is not indispensable spending a huge amount of money in clothes. What you really need is having an eye and good taste for fashion.
Buying less you will give a significant contribute to the environment, decreasing the level of pollution due to thousands of tonnes that end up at landfills, causing an incredible damage to our oceans and marine life.
- Donate what you no longer want, it is simple
I have always hated accumulating stuff, and I think that there is nothing better than avoiding this by giving a small social contribution. London offers a wide range of charity shops that you can look at if you decide of doing a bit of decluttering from time to time. It does not take long, and at the end of the day it makes you feel happier within yourself for having done something good in support of those in needs. Think about it. A little action can have an undisputed impact on someone else.
- Learn how to look after your clothes
It does seem easy to say, but it is not so obvious as you may think. Many people do not pay too much attention and care to their clothes, or they throw stuff away at the first damage or missing buttons. It would be much better if we were more cautious with our fabrics or if we knew how to do simple repairs. Not only we would not waste our energy in unnecessary shopping, but we would also increase our monthly savings and reserve them for a future investment or the holiday that we always wanted.
- Look for organic cotton, instead
‘Avoid fabric that use microfibres, if possible; they are the worst in polluting our oceans because of the numerous particle that they release for each wash. Alternatively, choose an organic or GOTS certified cotton. GOTS certified cottons are checked from the point of growth and monitor the fair trade of the farmers and the consumption of water. Regulate pesticides used and keep an eye on the full supply chain. Make sure you always do your research before buying but look for fabrics which are taken from a source that can be replenished, and always recycle and recycle!’ – this is what Nia Jones, co-founder of Good News says.
And now that we have reached the end of today’s topic, I hope that you enjoyed my article of the week and that you will be more considerate next time you will go for shopping, before purchasing the first garment in the window that will end up in the most hidden corner of your wardrobe.
