Going Green with Eco-friendly Clothing “Tips for Organic, Recycled, Clothing Choices”
Eco-Friendly Tips
Going Green with Clothing, “Tips for Organic, Recycled, and Eco-friendly Clothing Choices”.
Going Green with Clothing
Green Your Clothes
Everyone knows someone that is obsessed with fashion, or has more clothes than they really need. While some may think it’s great to be trendy, or to have hordes of clothes for those “just in case” moments, the fact of the matter is they may be doing more environmental harm than good. Have you ever considered what goes into the process of making your clothes? From harvesting the cotton to make the fabric, to manufacturing and shipping the clothes worldwide, it’s not as green of an industry as one may think. However, it can be. There are very simple ways you can green your wardrobe and lighten your fashion-craving impact on the environment.
Before you rush out and buy new clothes, consider this for a moment: Do you really need them? If you already have a closet full of clothes, chances are you don’t necessarily need to buy new ones at the moment. However, what you can do is change the clothes you already have. Turn a pair of pants into a pair of shorts. A coat can become a vest or reusable bag. And a long skirt can easily be converted into a shirt. All this takes is some sewing and creative thinking.
Also, the better you take care of the clothes you have, the longer they’ll stay in good condition. Repair clothes that need it. This includes fixing hems, patching holes or tears, or replacing buttons. Washing in cold water will conserve energy and is as effective as using hot water. And only wash when you absolutely need to. This article on Yahoo! gives some tips on how many times you can wear clothes before washing them. Try to use organic detergent and remember to hang them out to dry, instead of wasting more energy with the dryer.
Now, there are times when it can be a good thing to clean out your closet. You might have clothes that don’t fit, or that have gone out of style. Whatever the case may be, don’t throw them in the trash! The average American throws away 68 pounds of clothing or textiles per year. That’s a ridiculous amount! Instead, sell them online, take them to a consignment shop, or donate them to a thrift store, or charity. You can also hold clothing swap events with your friends. Every month or so, have a little get together with your friends, where everyone brings some clothes they no longer want. This allows you to find something new for your wardrobe, without paying a single penny, and your old clothes will find a new purpose with someone else.
When the time comes to actually go out and get more clothes, there are a few things you should do. First, don’t be an impulse shopper. Before you buy 7 new shirts, 10 pairs of pants, and 3 pairs of shoes, stop and think. Do you really need all of them? Why? Can you afford it, or would the money be better spent on something else (like food or bills)? Considering your purchases before you make them can help you make better spending decisions.
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Second, it was previously mentioned that you should take unwanted clothes to a consignment shop or thrift store. Well, you can also buy clothes from those places, too. These shops (especially consignment shops) tend to have very specific rules on the quality clothing must be in, before they will sell it in their shop. Some may also accept specific brands, so you can still find designer clothes for a much cheaper price. Vintage is always in style and it doesn’t hurt to make a little bit of money go a long way, either.
Fairtrade Intnerantion Certification Mark
Third, keep a sharp eye out for the Fair Trade label. This is the best possible clothing you can find. Why? A product that bears the Fair Trade label means it was made using ethical, ecologically sound, and sustainable practices. It also means that all workers were paid and treated fairly. In other words, no sweatshops or terrible stories of child labor is involved.
Finally, consider what the clothing is actually made of. Things like fur, leather, and suede are absolutely out of the question. There is nothing eco-friendly, or sustainable about any of them. Cotton is a bit of a tricky fabric. Did you know it takes about 1/3 of a pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to grow enough cotton to produce one t-shirt? Seven of the fifteen pesticides used on this cotton are “possible” or “known” carcinogens! Fortunately, there is a great alternative to standard cotton: Organic cotton. It’s been suggested that organic farm soil has a better ability to absorb and retain carbon and organically grown crops use less fossil fuel, making them twice as great in the fight to reduce global warming.
Other natural fabrics people may suggest looking into include: bamboo, corn, hemp, silk, and soy. Hemp and soy are generally safe fabrics to work with. The others, although plant-based, might have some issues to work through. Bamboo makes a great fabric, but the harvesting and processing of the plant consumes a lot of energy and can even create a good (or bad) amount of pollution. However, the most interesting find yet is created by the company EcoSpun. They can convert recycled plastic bottles into fabric! How awesome is that?
Following these steps will give you a greener wardrobe in no time. You’ll save money, help the environment, and still look fantastic. What more can you ask for?
For additional tips and resources on green and Eco-friendly shopping check out these great resources:
thepurplebook Green: An Eco-friendly Online Shopping Guide
Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life
