I’d love to offer clothing in my shop but every time I think about it, a voice in my head says, “We don’t need more clothes in this world!” And then the voice says, "How many t-shirts do you really need?"
My inside voice is annoying, but she is often quite wise.
It's hard to resist buying clothes given the bombardment of clothing ads that hit us on social media and through other sources. It seems that there's always a sale, and who doesn't love getting a deal? Time after time I succumbed to offers on Instagram, knowing that I didn't really need that new pair of pants.
But the statistics about fashion waste are tremendously alarming. Take a look at these facts about fast fashion:
Over 2,000 pounds of textile waste is produced every year
And it ends up in landfills.
By 2030, the apparel industry’s global emissions will increase by 50%
These CO2 emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change.
The average US consumer throws away 81.5lbs of clothes every year
And they end up in landfills.
The fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global waste water
That waste water contains chemicals and dyes that are applied to fabrics.
It takes 20,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of cotton
About 2,700 liters of water are needed to make just one t-shirt, which would be enough for one person to drink for 900 days.
Globally, just 12% of the material used for clothing ends up being recycled.
Much of the problem has to do with the materials our clothes are made from and inadequate technologies to recycle them.
Nearly 10% of microplastics released into the ocean each year come from textiles
Garments are a huge source of microplastics because so many are now made of nylon or polyester, both durable and cheap. Each wash and dry cycle sheds microfilaments that move through our sewage systems and end up in waterways.
Natural materials can break down in in the environment but does polyester decompose? Items made from traditional polyester can sit in landfills for up to 200 years or more without fully breaking down.
5,700 pounds of returned clothes ended up in landfills in 2020 in the US alone
Most of the items returned to retailers from consumers end up in landfill. Reverse logistics company Optoro also estimates that in the same year, over 35,000 pounds of CO2 emissions were created by online returns in the US in 2020.
I'm not into shaming people for wanting new clothes. But the last time you looked in your closet, did you think—I don't wear even half of these things.
So, what can you do to reduce clothing waste?
Tips for Avoiding Fast Fashion
There are alternatives to fast fashion that can actually save you money. Here are a few:
1. Reduce consumption. Wear your clothes for as long as you can. Don't be swayed by trends. Trends make people want more clothing.
2. Rescue well made clothes from thrift shops and consignment stores. Give these items a second chance!
3. Donate wearable items to thrift shops and charity organizations.
4. Repair your clothes if you can before giving up on them.
5. Avoid buying synthetic clothing. Yes, organic and natural fibers can be more expensive, but they last longer and don't negatively impact climate change as much.
My goal isn't to offend anyone with this post. Believe me, I once was quite a clothes horse. And it's a lot easier to avoid buying clothes once you've retired and live mainly in pajamas and workout clothes. And yes, I know workout clothes are often made of synthetic fabrics. But I'm always on the hunt for some tights and t shirts made with sustainable textiles. It's a journey. Remember that.
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