As diligent contributors to society your lives are probably filled with work, families, obligations, and general “ladmin” (life admin!). In the midst of our busy schedules, it's easy to overlook the minutiae of day to day life, especially the impact of our clothing choices on the wider environment.
However, did you know that the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to global waste and pollution?
In this blog, we'll explore the issue of clothing waste, its environmental and social impacts, and practical steps you can take to reduce your fashion footprint (but still look amazing of course!)
The problem with fast fashion
Fast fashion has revolutionised the way we shop for clothing, offering trendy styles at affordable prices.
However, this convenience comes at a cost. The rapid pace of production and consumption in the fast fashion industry leads to overproduction, excessive waste, and exploitation of workers in garment factories.
Clothing items are often designed to be worn for only a short period before being discarded, contributing to the growing problem of clothing waste.
Learn more about fast fashion through this video here about the Shein effect.
Fast fashion is also unsustainable in the realm of human rights. In some cases, workers are paid less than £1 an hour for work. This is called modern slavery and it goes against the European Convention of Human Rights.
Ways you can get involved
Donate old or unwanted clothing
Find a donation point for your unwanted clothing and textiles. Aside from charity shops, there are numerous points throughout the country where you can drop off and donate your clothing.
Simply add your post code here and search for a nearby drop off point.
Swap the shopping centre for charity shopping in your local area
That’s right, we love a good shopping centre as much as the next person but sadly buying clothing for it to just remain in our closets for months on end is unsustainable.
Next time you have a party or concert to attend, why not try out shopping preloved?
Most cities dotted around the UK are full of amazing charity shops supporting causes like the British Heart Foundation, The Red Cross and a few of our favourites like:
Just to name a few. You will definitely be able to find something at one of these!
Alternatively, you may want to try shopping at Vinted or Depop, or even commission something to be handmade by an artist off of Etsy.
Make sustainable clothing habits a social activity
Why not make shopping sustainable a fun and social activity? One of our favourite sustainable fashion events has to be We Are or Clothes Cycle Markets who host events all across the country!
Events run monthly and are so much fun to attend with a colleague... fashion girlies unite!
Help others by getting the word out
You would be surprised how leading by example and getting the word out goes a long way.
Let others know what you are up to, maybe even go to a charity near you during your next lunch break! There is power in numbers.
Final remarks
Finally, don't forget to check Pawprint out and get signed up. We have over 600+ actions for you to choose from and you can think of us as your eco-companion helping you make more sustainable choices.
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