In recent years, there’s been a rise in throw-away fashion. Not only is this bad for your wallet, but it’s bad for the environment too. Choosing to invest in quality clothing will improve your look, save you money and be more eco-friendly- so better for the environment. It’s a slow process and will take time for you to create a sustainable wardrobe. Here, we’ll look at how investing in quality clothing helps the environment and few tips for getting started…
The Facts
Few people are aware that throwaway garments are contributing more towards climate change than air and sea travel combined. The greenhouse gas emissions that are produced through textile production reached the equivalent of 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2015. This adds up to more than the total produced through maritime shipping and international flights combined. However, as more awareness of the harmful impact throwaway clothes are having on the environment, retailers are bracing for a backlash.
We all need to adapt and change our behaviour when it comes to consuming. The throwaway clothing culture also sees an exceptionally high level of waste. Shockingly, only 1% of the materials used in clothing production is recycled back into additional clothing. Approximately 12% does get recycled into other products like mattress filling.
Investing In Quality Clothing
In contrast, when you invest in quality clothing, it’s much less damaging to the environment. It doesn’t wear or tear as easily, which means you’ll get much more use out of your chosen pieces. Good quality clothing will last for many years, whereas throwaway clothing typically needs to be replaced within months.
Create A Sustainable Wardrobe
As an additional benefit, when you choose to invest in a more sustainable wardrobe, you’ll save yourself a lot of money. Higher quality clothing may seem like a more expensive investment, but over the long-term you’ll save money. This is because, as mentioned earlier, you won’t need to replace them as quickly.
A good quality coat will last several years. Similarly, a high-quality backpack will last years. Focus on minimising your wardrobe too. Start sorting through to see what you don’t actually wear and eliminate unnecessary items. A sustainable wardrobe will include just a few key pieces which work well together. Remember, you might choose to shop vintage or start making your own clothing- that’s a super affordable, eco-friendly choice!
If you’re looking to do your part to stop climate change, investing in a more sustainable wardrobe is a great place to start. The impact throwaway fashion is having on the environment is shocking. If more people commit to buying quality over quantity, carbon emissions could be cut dramatically. You’ll also be saving money in the long term which is always a great benefit.
*This is a collaborative post written with Amy, a talented Contributor.
