I am a huuuuuuggggee online shopper (it’s a problem) and my tendencies to online shop have increased due to spending more time at home and on my computer. I recently have been reading about how the fashion industry negatively affects the environment. I try to live an environmentally friendly life for the majority, but I realized that I have not been paying attention as to whether or not I am making eco-friendly clothing purchases.
Did you know fashion is the second largest polluter in the world? It is second to oil. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions. To put that in perspective, it is more than international flights and maritime shipping COMBINED. Moreover, when garments are produced, untreated toxic waste waters from textiles factories are dumped right into rivers. 20% of industrial water pollution comes from textiles treatment and dying. The creation of garments also takes a TON of water. More specifically, 200 tons of fresh water are needed to dye ONE ton of fabric. 1.5 trillion liters of water are used by the fashion industry each year. A pair of jeans uses 1,000 gallons of water. Clothing waste is another major issue. Families on average only donate 15% of their clothing and throw away the rest. Synthetic fibers are plastic fibers and take up to TWO HUNDRED YEARS to decompose. 5.2% of the waste in landfills is textiles.
What can we do about it?
- Choose sustainable fabrics such as recycled cotton, organic hemp, and tencel (uses less water than cotton!)
- Choose clothing designed to last longer. This way you won’t have to constantly replace cheaply made clothing. .
- Donate or resell your clothes. Give them to a friend. Bring them to a local second-hand store. List on Poshmark. Contact ThredUp.
- Wash full loads of laundry and use non-abrasive laundry detergent.
- Do your research before deciding where to buy clothing from.
- Purchase second-hand! There are tons of NEW and gently used items at your local consignment shops. Shop local!
What companies are making initiatives to be more sustainable?
Allbirds
- Completely carbon neutral business. They are working on becoming carbon negative.
- Use 100% recycled materials for packaging
- Prioritize the use of natural and recycled materials
Athleta
- 76% of materials are made with sustainable fibers
- This year they plan to have 20% of their products made using water-saving techniques
Arrow and Phoenix Swim
- Made out of 100% recycled materials and uses 75% less energy to be created
- If you send your A+P bathing suit back to them to be recycled when you are done with it, you will get a discount off your next purchase
$5 from each swimwear and t-shirt purchase goes to The Coral Restoration Foundation to aid in beach cleanups and restoration of coral reefs
Free People – Care FP
- Use eco-conscious materials such as certified linen, hemp and cotton, global recycle standard certified cotton, lenzing certified tencel, and more.
- Use plant-based or bluesign certified dyes. Or no dyes at all.
- Waterless processes for denim
- Production in facilities using 100% renewable energy
- Products are made in small batches by nonprofits who support artisanal and small businesses
- Offer some second-hand products to reduce textile waste
- 15% of athletic wear purchases benefit Girls Inc.
Gap
- Gap Washwell denim uses at least 20% less water than the conventional washing methods.
- Partner with ThredUp to keep used clothing out of landfill.
- 66% of cotton comes from sustainable sources.
- Partner with the Better Cotton Initiative to train farmers to use water efficiently, care for natural habitats, avoid harmful chemicals, and respect the rights and wellbeing of workers.
H&M
- Have a “Conscious” collection
- At least 50% of materials used in the collection are sustainable.
Levi’s
- The WellThread collection of jeans uses mostly recycled materials and waterless technology
- They have Levi’s tailor shops to help increase the lifetime of your jeans
- Support cotton farmers who use less water to grow their crops
Outdoor Voices
- Only use packaging that has been recycled and can be recyclable
- Use sustainable fabrics such as RecPoly, PET, Merino, and CloudKnit
- Headquarters run a stipend-based carless commuter program
Pact
- 100% organic cotton – uses 91% less water
- Non-toxic dyes and chemicals
- Biodegradable, compostable, recyclable packaging
- Have a clothing donation program for old and used clothes
Patagonia
- Met 100% of electricity needs in the US with renewable electricity
- 72% of items are made with recycled materials
- 100% of the cotton grown is grown organically
- Offer repairs for damaged items
- Can buy second-hand clothes that have been reupholstered on the website
Reformation
- 100% carbon neutral
- Manufacture 65% of products in LA
- Recycle 75% of their waste
- All California retail stores and HQ are green business certified
- Test all dyes to confirm there is no hazardous substances
- Use recycled fibers for products – moving towards using 0% synthetic fibers
Summersalt
- Swimwear is made from 78% recycled polyamide
- Travel wear is made of their signature TravelSoft vegan silk – made entirely from pre-consumer waste
Vejas
- Purchase organic cotton directly from farmers in Brazil and Peru
- Do not use hazardous chemicals
- Certified B Corp
- Use recycled polyester (water bottles) and recycled cotton
- 1 Veja model out of 3 is vegan – the leather that they do use is ChromeFree (hazardous materials) and tanned using vegetable juices
- 4 out of the 5 highest earners in the company are women!
I hope this post inspires you to think about the impact you are having on the environment when you purchase clothing. I am far from reaching a full closet of sustainable items, but I am taking small steps to live an overall more environmentally friendly lifestyle! I urge you to do the same 🙂