One of my goals that I want to work on this year is understanding and implementing sustainability in my everyday life. It's a big concept, one that I sort of got the general idea of, but I wondered how I could go even one step further.
A quick Google search says that OVER 20 BILLION POUNDS of textiles go to the landfill each year. YIKES 😲 and double yikes? Textiles like clothes take over 200 years to decompose.
I don't really throw away clothes. Or at least, that's what I thought at first. But what happens to the little scraps of fabric leftover from DIY projects? And what happens to the clothes that I donate that don't get used? When my clothes get stained or ripped beyond repair, what do I do? These are just little things, and honestly, you can't really do anything about ruined clothing. But maybe when you are buying new clothes, you can keep these few things in mind (and keep me accountable for it, too! Follow me on Insta @love_batsy! Let's talk about our actions)
1. What is sustainable fashion? The big question gets the big, multifaceted answer. For me, this ultimately comes down to buying clothes to last. This means forgoing buying the newest, trendy item that's going to only last a season or two.
2. What is "fast fashion" and what alternatives are there? "Fast fashion" is essentially the cookie-cutter stuff that makes up most (if not all) of what you see at department stores. They're cheap to make, which means a high profit margin for the manufacturers. When you think of all the factories pumping out hundreds of thousands of clothes, it's easy to imagine at least some of that ending up in landfills.
But there are quite a few alternatives, and they are becoming easier to find in recent years. There are certain brands that specialize in "green" clothes, which usually means it's made with recycled fabrics or sustainably-sourced materials. "Fair," "ethical," and "artisan" are usually safe words. Even buying high quality, classic pieces to fill your wardrobe will help to keep textiles out of landfills. There are also a few sources to rent or lease clothing, which is kind of interesting. It's like borrowing from your roommate's closet...except, not.
Buying used is another great and easy way to minimize your contribution to clothing waste. Thrift stores and secondhand shops carry amazing, timeless pieces. Add a vintage or retro touch to your closet, or look for used designer clothes for a classy, luxe style. There are also a lot of amazing upcycle DIYs floating around the internet (I love watching people paint denim, it's an addiction).
3. Dispose of clothes responsibly. If the clothes are in good condition, you can resell it on platforms like Poshmark or donate it to a local thrift store. Are the clothes not in good condition? Maybe they can't really be called clothes anymore 😅 There are a few ways to recycle fabric regardless of how bad the condition is. Find out if there is a donation bin near you so the fabric can be broken down and reused to make other things, like insulation or yarn. 4. Don't fill your closet with clothes you never wear, especially from non-green sources. It's basic supply-demand: manufacturers make "fast fashion" to fill a demand for clothing. Seems like no big deal. We all need clothing. But do we really need ALL of the latest trends? In EVERY color? Do we really need ANOTHER black sweater? Less demand = less supply. Less supply = less clothes to end up in landfills. Self-care and stuff like meditation is all about mindfulness, and so is sustainable fashion. Making informed, careful choices about where your clothes come from and where they go (where did you come from, Cotton Eye Joe?) is just a small way we can all show how much we care about our planet and humanity.
To conclude, I'd like to make a small disclaimer: I am an absolute noob when it comes to sustainability. Do you have any words of wisdom for this green lady? (Green meaning eco-friendly and also meaning inexperienced. Also, Green Lady would be a great band name) What else have you done to be more eco-conscious with how you consume fashion? Let me know in the comments, and follow my sustainability journey on Insta @love_batsy!
Love,
Batsy
P.S. Keep subscribe and an eye out for blog posts throughout March! I'm making a special effort to talk about sustainability all month long!
P.P.S. Also, I just realized that the month of March is kind of synonymous with green. This whole monthly theme thing is working out WAY BETTER than I expected.