Fashion habits damaging the planet that you could change, according to expert
We all know that fast fashion is no good for the planet, with overconsumption leading to more clothes in landfill and excessive production - neither of which help the environment.
Earth Day, which this year falls on April 22, encourages us look at our habits and see how we can tackle the growing climate crisis in all aspects of our lives.
Our fashion consumption is one way many of us can cut down our carbon footprint and be kinder to the environment but it can be hard to know where to start.
Sustainability and fashion expert Whitney Cathcart said: "Shop mindfully, buy less but better, consider buying local or pre-loved items — after all, it's up to us to shop in a truly sustainable way and drive the change."
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Choose the right fabrics
Opting for ethical fabrics and brands helps the planet (stock image) (Getty Images)There's nothing better than new clothes, but choosing the right fabrics is a great place to start when becoming more sustainable. Ditch multiple cheaper options, for one more carefully chosen piece made from eco-friendly material.
Whitney said: "The way we shop has changed dramatically as more people care about the health of our planet and choose to shop sustainably – but remember, sustainability is not just about choosing eco-friendly materials and fabrics."
Recycled and vegan materials are becoming more common in high street stores but Whitney recommends going further and investing in natural fibres like organic cotton.
"Unlike polyester, nylon and other synthetic materials, they are biodegradable and won't pollute the planet once disposed of," she explained. "And if you're looking for footwear or handbags, consider mushroom leather.
"In addition to being cruelty-free, this vegan alternative to leather is beneficial for the planet as it’s grown in a lab and doesn’t cause any deforestation or gas emissions associated with animal rearing."
Only order your size
Sometimes your returned clothes might not go back onto the shelf (stock image) (Getty Images/PhotoAlto)If sustainable fabrics are out of your budget or not an option, there's nothing wrong with ordering clothes you like. But ordering multiple sizes and colours of that outfits could be impacting the planet more than you think.
Whitney, chief commercial officer for virtual fitting room company 3DLook, explained: "You might think that the items you return are put back on sale but that's not always the case.
"Once returned, goods embark on a journey to various warehouses and processing facilities, creating over 2 billion tons of CO2 emissions each year. 40% of the returned stock is discarded or liquidated in a landfill, contributing to textile waste – all a repercussion of the waste caused by returns.
"If you're uncertain about the item you see online, choose brands you've purchased from before or styles that are likely flattering for your body. That way, you'll minimise the risk of sending the purchase back and won't cause additional harm to the planet."
If possible pop into a store in person to try on the clothes rather than shipping them to your home and back again.
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Don't overindulge
Overconsumption is common with fast fashion culture (stock image) (Getty Images/Image Source)Buying new outfits for every occasion can be tempting, especially in the social media era but this can often lead to mountains of unworn and unloved clothes heading for landfill.
Whitney said: "We all have that section in our closet with items that we've never worn or worn once to an occasion, don't fit into anymore or ones that we bought in euphoria when we saw a huge discount.
"Most of these are destined to be thrown away, contributing to the five billion pounds of waste that ends up in a landfill annually. This is waste in every sense of the word."
She recommends turning to pre-loved items, which many already do, or even renting an outfit for an event.
"This way, you can save tons of money and prevent these items from ending up in landfills. And please don’t give in to the frenzy," said Whitney.
"Mindful shopping decisions will benefit your wallet, storage space, and the environment!"
The expert added: "There's so much more to running a sustainable business since labour conditions, manufacturing processes, and materials are all pillars of sustainability.
"Shop mindfully, buy less but better, consider buying local or pre-loved items — after all, it’s up to us to shop in a truly sustainable way and drive the change."
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