How does fast fashion affect the planet?

What does this have to do with climate change?

Now that you know, it’s a good idea that you should understand some of the possible effects of fast fashion.

Fast fashion can result in pollution to our waters, increase environmental costs of transportation, and leads to further resultant waste. The disposing of dyes used in clothing products can be expensive. Therefore, many companies may choose to pollute local waters as a dangerous alternative.

As many clothes are made across the world, they will need to be transported to the retail stores. These are distributed through various forms of transport, like trucks, planes, boats, or vans. This is until they finally reach their designated shop. After that process, you may decide to buy it and then wear it for a while. But once it goes out of trend, the clothes may be thrown away, maybe even ending up in the Great Atlantic garbage patch.

What can you do?

The global system that causes fast fashion is not your fault! However, there are things you can do to help reduce its impact and make fast fashion less attractive for big brands.

Here are 10 things you can personally do to help:

6. Shop sustainable brands. Choose ethical brands that care about the environment, pay their workers fairly, and are transparent across their entire supply chain – not just one part>
7. Shop for quality over quantity. Higher quality pieces often last longer. Check the workmanship of your clothing. Check seams and zippers. Shop with durability in mind even if it is somewhat more costly. Investing in well-made clothes will save you money in the long run by not having to keep replacing items.
8. Donate, don’t throw out. One person’s trash is another’s treasure. Donate  unwanted clothing to thrift stores or local shelters instead of throwing them out.
9. Sell unwanted clothing. Sell your clothing on online or brick and mortar resale shops. There are so many websites and apps which allow you to buy and sell used clothing.
10. Upcycle clothing. You can work wonders with a pair of scissors and a needle and thread and give new life to an old garment.

What can you do?

The global system that causes fast fashion is not your fault! However, there are things you can do to help reduce its impact and make fast fashion less attractive for big brands.

Here are 10 things you can personally do to help:

1. Shop second hand first. Buy pre-owned clothing from thrift shops, consignment shops, vintage sources, and online resale shops.
2. Buy fewer clothes. Value what you buy. Buy clothes you know you will wear many times because they look good and fit well.  With carefully chosen clothes, you can mix and match items to create many different looks.
3. Invest only in clothes you really like and need. Consider not what is being pushed at you by fashion designers but instead look at your own style and what you want to communicate.
4. Shop locally. Buy from local shops for clothes, buy from local craftspeople to accessorize your outfits and use your neighborhood tailor for adjustments.
5. Go natural. Buy clothing made with natural fabric fibers instead of synthetic fabrics. Natural alternatives to synthetic fabrics include cotton, linen, bamboo, flax, jute, silk, wool, and alpaca. Also look into low impact materials such as Modal and Lyocell.
6. Shop sustainable brands. Choose ethical brands that care about the environment, pay their workers fairly, and are transparent across their entire supply chain – not just one part>
7. Shop for quality over quantity. Higher quality pieces often last longer. Check the workmanship of your clothing. Check seams and zippers. Shop with durability in mind even if it is somewhat more costly. Investing in well-made clothes will save you money in the long run by not having to keep replacing items.
8. Donate, don’t throw out. One person’s trash is another’s treasure. Donate  unwanted clothing to thrift stores or local shelters instead of throwing them out.
9. Sell unwanted clothing. Sell your clothing on online or brick and mortar resale shops. There are so many websites and apps which allow you to buy and sell used clothing.
10. Upcycle clothing. You can work wonders with a pair of scissors and a needle and thread and give new life to an old garment.

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