As you’d know, the effort to produce new items and the cost to the environment goes way beyond just the clothes, bags, shoes, and accessories themselves. And oftentimes, being sustainable with fashion may seem out of our control in terms of how a product is being produced and the price you have to pay for a sustainable product. So let’s start small – with awareness and little steps you can take to be a part of the journey to sustainable fashion.
By 2030, it’s expected that fashion waste will balloon into a 148 million ton problem. Common materials such as cotton require huge volumes of water and pesticide causing issues in developing countries that supply it.
These issues are just one of the many problems unsustainable fashion can bring. However, it doesn’t mean we can’t do anything about it. We can start by taking small steps today to encourage brands to look towards sustainability. Did you know? Extending the life of a piece of clothing by an extra 9 months reduces carbon, waste, and water footprint by roughly 20-30% each.
To shop sustainably, local brands such as KNOTWEAR, Source Collections, Qlothe, and Bare Label offer eco-friendly options that you can purchase. Meanwhile, there’s an app called Good on You that allows you to browse for brands you’re looking to shop from and read about their commitments a more sustainable fashion ecosystem – for the people, the planet, and the animals.
The next time you’re looking to buy a piece of clothing, think about how long will this piece last you. Buying better quality items saves money in the long term (compared to cheap, poor quality items) and helps the environment. If you’re up for a challenge, join a fashion swap or even find new ways to recycle your old clothing! Your efforts can go a long way!
While you’re here…
Check out Shopform as a platform to connect with like-minded people and shop for quality clothes while supporting local brands! You’ll get to see real, honest reviews about the quality, material, and fit by others who have purchased from the wide variety of brands available on the platform – and therefore, make a better decision when shopping sustainably.
Download the app