As a culture we consume ourselves with what the "new" look is and how we can represent ourselves through our clothing. When we combine our clothing with sustainability for our environment we are able to look good and help our environment at the same time.
Through the new textiles and different approaches to making our garments, we are able to not only support our fashion desires but also be fashionable at the same time. Its not only about how we grow our fibers and manufacture them, but how we sell them and discard them. We concern ourselves with our trash and consumption as a nation and where we leave them, so why not care about what happens to what we wear on a daily basis? Our clothes… Why discard what we don’t wear anymore? Use them, whether its second hand, pass down, our use it for your own desire. Why not turn a rag into a new kitchen towel?
Although fashion in constantly changing, and everyone wants to be up to date, this adds to the amount of waste we already have so much of. By tossing aside all garments as soon as they are no longer dubbed “fashionable”, our landfills are being overloaded even more. This is contributing to methane, which is a climate changing accelerator. Every little bit we can do to not add to our landfills is appreciated.
If your not a fan of using your old t-shirts as a wash rag don’t be ashamed, we cant all be completely self sufficient. There are ways that we can all feel green, by buying the right clothing and washing our clothes the right way. After looking at a study from Cambridge University, sixty percent of the greenhouse gases generated from the lifetime of one tee shirt, generally come from the many washes one tee shirt undertakes. The average washing of one tee shirt is around 25 washes, which actually exceeds the carbon emissions it entails to fabricate one shirt. To help this unfortunate event, try to use the cold rinse cycle as much as possible. This reduces the electric sucking hot temperatures many washing machines require. Also, if possible, try to by-step the dryer, and use a line-drying alternative. This will help to reduce the problems washers and dryers create.
Seek out sustainable fabrics, we have them! Buying polyester and nylon takes a lot more energy to make then it does to make our natural fabrics. Think hemp and organic cotton when your shopping. Believe it our not, it actually feels better. Just in the same way as eating organic foods can reduce many toxins that would otherwise get in our body, and ultimately makes you healthier, organic fibers can feel just as good on your body. If something is made of organic fibers, it doesn’t necessarily mean its going to be an itchy and uncomfortable. This is a common misconception people have about “green” fashion.
Fashion isn’t only about clothing though, and as every girl knows, accessories can make an outfit. On Planetgreen.com, there is a great article listing the ten top tips on how to find “green” accessories. There is the never failing vintage option, and is usually somewhat more on the cheaper side, since items are already used. Jewelry made out of recycled materials is a way of being vintage with a new twist. Many jewelers are using recycled metals, one of which is a form of silver made from photographic film. Lab grown or repurposed gems are much more eco-friendly to buy, since the mining process of gems and metals ravages our environment.
There is also the mention of the website Bag, Borrow or Steal, which for a monthly membership fee, you can sign up to receive designer bags to use for an allotment of time, and then ship back. This is a way to not only conserve materials used to create every new handbag, but is also a much more inexpensive way to rock the hottest designer labels.
With so many options at our fingertips to help out our environment, why would anyone want to take a different approach? Some of the smallest things we can do, will be conducive to the livelihood of our earth long after we are gone. Trying to make small, positive changes day to day, something as simple as using a washable plastic mug, instead of a water bottle, helps.
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I never really thought of a t shirt or clothing and the release of green house gases. Though, now that I read your blog, you're right. Clothing is just as disposible as a plastic water bottle. While growing up, I grew up on hand me downs from cousins. It was not a big deal. Eventually, I became the giver and passed my clothing on to others. I believe in donating or passing on clothes so others with very little will have some nicer clothing and I have personal satisfaction of doing my part.
ReplyDeleteAs far as accessories, I really don't use much. I have seen many of the recycled items and they look really nice. The first time I saw a purse made from license plates or a dress made out of credit cards, we laughed but they actually looked good. Personally for myself, I guess I am kind of old fashion. I prefer using metals and gems that are mined. After all, isn't that why God invented Tiffany's.