Today, our environment is facing a trilogy of unprecedented challenges – climate change, the loss of natural resources, and pollution. The latest report of UNEP points out that the textile industry is responsible for 8 – 10 % of total carbon emissions, consumption of nearly 100 billion cubic meters of water annually, and pollutes our waters with microfibers. With the fast change in fashion trends and designs, production and consumption have become unsustainable.
Therefore, the call of the hour is to make all efforts to transform the textile industry into a sustainable and circular economy. This requires the utilization of clothes to their maximum lifecycle and the reuse of discarded clothes. You can find discarded garments at charity sales, thrift stores, and even in your wardrobe. And if you want them in bulk, you can get used clothes for sale by pound at the wholesaler.
Sustainable Fashion
Sustainable fashion means reducing the environmental effects of the fashion industry by lowering the carbon footprint, controlling pollution and wastage, and checking overproduction. It also includes the welfare and ethical treatment of workers. It also refers to the use of alternatives to conventional materials with lower carbon footprint and upholding animal welfare. It also elevates consumer awareness to consciously choose clothes that have environment-friendly values.
How You Promote Sustainable Fashion
You can promote sustainable fashion by taking some actions individually as well as with your friends and family. Here are some such actions that you can take:
Learn what sustainable fashion is: Get acquainted with the practices to be followed and know the materials and brands that have a minimum detrimental effect on the environment.
Always adopt Quality Over Quantity: Purchase quality long-lasting garments rather than fast fashion short life cycle garments.
Support Ethical Brands: Go for brands that are known for their sustainability and ethical practices.
Shop for used clothes: Venture for preferred reusable garments at thrift stores and online platforms to reuse discarded clothes and extend their life cycle.
Upcycle old garments: Redesign and alter discarded garments or use them for other useful purposes.
Conscious Consumption: Buy garments that you need. Do not purchase them on impulse or to acquire the latest designs to follow trends.
Go for natural fibers that have a lower carbon footprint: Select natural fibers that are grown under climate-friendly agricultural practices and processed with renewable energy. Garments made from organic cotton, linen, hemp, or bamboo have a lower environmental footprint.
Use synthetic alternatives: To save virgin materials, go for recycled or other sustainable synthetics.
Minimal User Interventions: By washing clothes less frequently, you can save water and energy and lower water pollution.
Spread Awareness: Lastly, make your friends and family aware of the need for sustainable fashion and its practices and values.
Your actions and awareness are important to achieve sustainable fashion, but action from other stakeholders is also required. The fashion industry must take positive steps to stop promoting fast fashion and make people aware of the need for sustainable fashion. Authorities and policymakers must act if they seriously want to prevent environmental deterioration.
