Sustainable and Ethical Fashion is a growing trend that has caught on to help consumers and brands make more conscious purchasing decisions. Its goal is to reduce the detrimental impact of clothes on the planet, people and animals.
Whether you are new to the world of sustainable and ethical fashion or simply want to learn more about it, there are a few things you can do to make your shopping more green. Start by choosing clothing items that are made of naturally sourced fibers like cotton and wool, and that use sustainable dyes.
Choose a brand that is based in your local area and/or employs local workers, thereby making your carbon footprint smaller and helping to keep money circulating within your community. Look for companies that have fair pay and safer working conditions.
Consider the materials used in a clothing item and its lifespan. Some brands are aiming to recycle materials that would otherwise end up in landfills such as plastic bottles and used tires. Others are sourcing fabrics that have been grown and harvested responsibly and using them to create new products.
The fabric a garment is made of has an enormous effect on the environment and the climate, and ethical fashion brands are doing everything in their power to minimise these effects. This can include ensuring that any leftover fabric is re-used in a different fashion, or that garments are sent back to the manufacturer to be recycled into new garments.
It also means avoiding fast-fashion items that are produced in large quantities and are meant to be thrown away quickly, and instead opting for high-quality garments that last a long time. This way, you are saving money and the environment in the long run, as well as helping to create jobs for people who may not otherwise be able to afford a decent income.
Another key part of sustainable fashion is the materials used to create a piece of clothing, with brands often using natural fabrics as well as ones that are recyclable. Organic cotton, linen and hemp are all common choices for these brands as they are more environmentally friendly than conventional fibers.
They are also less water-intensive and chemical-intensive than regular fabrics, which makes them a great option for eco-conscious shoppers.
You can also check for ethical and sustainable labels on any garments you are considering buying, to make sure it’s made in an ethical way. For example, Fair Trade labels guarantee better working conditions and fairer wages for the people involved in producing your clothes.
In addition, if you are shopping for clothing that’s meant to be worn for a long time, choose fabrics that are made from natural fibers or re-purposed materials such as deadstock fabric. This helps to avoid waste from being sent to landfills, as a lot of fabric ends up there anyway due to the sheer volume of clothes in circulation.
Lastly, remember to wash your clothes less frequently and dry them on the line rather than in a dryer. This saves energy and helps to preserve the colour of your clothes.
