Clothing waste has a huge negative impact on the environment, and this isn’t helped by the fact that 85% ends up in landfills! This is a reason why you should learn the different ways you can contribute positively to the environment by minimising the impact of clothing waste. If you have no idea how to go about reducing your clothing waste, this guide should act as a start.
Many people aren’t aware that it’s possible to donate stained textile and old clothing to non-profit organisations and charities. It’s also important to find out whether your local community has programs where your clothing can be dropped at charity boxes or picked up at your home. If you have clothes that you haven’t worn before and feel that they shouldn’t be in your wardrobe, non-profits and charities also accept them. There are hundreds of charity shops across the UK, you’ll likely find one in every town you visit.
They will then sort through the clothes they’ve received for those that should be recycled or reused. Most of the unwanted textiles and clothing are taken to recycling plants where they are reprocessed or cut and used as industrial rugs. We have some more information about donations here.
Before you think of doing another online shopping spree, take a closer look at your wardrobe for clothes you already own! There are probably clothes that were previously oversize but now fit you really well. Better yet, there could be several t-shirts or jeans you’ve not thought of wearing but are back in fashion. You may even be surprised to find a forgotten favourite, which you have not worn in years. Try to avoid fast fashion brands or opt for their ethical clothing lines, ordering more than you need and returning them also has a huge negative environmental impact.
By rummaging through your old items, you may end up finding cool but forgotten outfits, and this will end up saving you time and money. It is still an excellent way of creating a neater wardrobe so that you have a better view of what it is that you have. Maybe your parents have old clothes hidden away that are now back in fashion too?
Taking your damaged, worn out, and old clothes then transforming them to brand new pieces is another great way to reduce clothing waste. Upcycling or repurposing clothing is a common practice in most ethical clothing brands. What differentiates upcycled from recycled clothing is that the upcycled brands take advantage of whole pieces in their design, while recycling clothes involves breaking them down before they’re re-used.
It’s important to note that there are plenty of environmental benefits associated with wearing upcycled clothing. First, these types of clothing use fewer raw materials, which reduce the negative impact of fashion production. Additionally, it is one of the ways to avoid contributing to the landfill as well as carbon emission.
Recent environmental assessment reports have pointed out that the fashion industry is contributing a lot to climate change. Aside from the production process, the materials used in clothes is also an issue of concern. To ensure that you avoid contributing to the environment’s negative consequences, you must learn a few ways you can effectively reduce clothing waste. This guide has highlighted a few important tips that will act as a first step in ensuring that you reduce waste.
Make a start today by checking out our 100% recycled and ethically sourced flip-flops!
