Sustainable Fashion: How to Reduce your Environmental Impact

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. Not only has fast fashion been an ongoing trend, but a majority of consumers are not aware of the longevity that each piece of clothing entails. 

There are solutions that already exist to encourage sustainable consumption and optimize our carbon footprint. Changing our consumption model is more realistic than we think. Here are seven eco-tips that can be useful if you want to become more sustainable:

1. Choose Organic or Recycled Fabric

The French environment agency (ADEME) recommends choosing clothes made with organic cotton, recycled cotton, or polyester. According to the recycling methodology, these materials can reduce the impact by 99%¹. Another idea is to choose fibers made from natural resources, such as wood cellulose.

2. Repair your Clothes Instead of Buying New Ones

As the fast fashion industry continues to gain traction, there is a surplus of clothing items being purchased on a regular basis. All of which have a short life span, and end up overflowing the landfills. 

With this fast fashion model, collections are changing every month and so are our new clothes. It would be beneficial to change this mindset by prioritizing the reparation of old clothing items. For example, when there is a hole or when a missing button. Not only will this increase the life span of your clothes and make them last longer, but it will decrease the number of clothing items entering landfills. 

3. Second-hand Shops are Useful

If you are in the market for new clothes, opt for second-hand shops. Not only do they promote reusing and recycling, but you are contributing to a circular economy versus continuously purchasing new items. 

4. Buy Clothes Made with Organic Flax or Hemp

Another solution is to choose clean fabrics when purchasing clothing items. Organic flax and hemp materials use less water during their fabric process than traditional fabric. However, you must be careful and check where these fabrics have been made and how they were colored. 

5. Choose Locally-made Clothes 

Choose locally made clothes to support local businesses, as well as to cut down on the distance of transportation. By making it a regular practice to check the label, you are practicing sustainable habits. Although it is impossible to purchase goods primarily from your local community, opt for countries nearby that practice positive social and environmental practices. For example, these aspects are respected more in Italy than in factories in Bangladesh. 

6. Choose Transparent Brands

Purchasing power with consumers is more powerful than we realise. If there is an option between two brands, favor the one following a transparent CSR policy. It is important to support companies trying to promote concrete actions to preserve our environment. Transparency is key. 

7. Wash your Clothes Correctly

It is not necessary to wash your clothes at a high temperature, therefore choose the cool temperature setting to conserve energy. Also, do not wash clothes after one wear, and opt for eco-friendly laundry powder. This can be found in-store or can be 100% homemade and natural.

For more information on the impact within the fashion industry, read our article: The Environmental Impact of Fashion.

8. Sustainability challenges for companies in the textile industry

The textile industry faces significant challenges in its journey towards sustainability. The production and disposal of clothing have profound impacts on the environment, from the depletion of natural resources to the pollution of water bodies with chemicals and dyes.

To mitigate these effects, companies are increasingly focusing on sustainable practices, such as using organic or recycled materials, reducing water and energy consumption, and implementing circular economy principles to extend the lifecycle of their products.

However, transitioning to a sustainable model requires not just technological innovation but also a shift in consumer behavior towards valuing quality and sustainability over fast fashion.

See also: The environmental impact of fashion 

In this context, understanding and reducing one's carbon footprint becomes crucial for textile companies aiming for sustainable development. Tools and services that help in measuring and managing carbon emissions can play a vital role in this transition.

ClimateSeed is offering services that enable companies to calculate their Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG assessment). By identifying key areas where emissions can be reduced and suggesting actionable steps, ClimateSeed assists businesses in implementing effective sustainability strategies. Whether it's through optimizing supply chains, investing in renewable energy, or engaging in climate contribution projects.

ClimateSeed provides the expertise and support necessary for textile companies to contribute positively to the fight against climate change, and move towards a more sustainable future. If you want more information about our services, please, contact us.

Sources:

¹ Tru Earth, 
https://www.tru.earth/Environmental-Impact-Of-Fast-Fashion-And-How-To-Reduce-It