Recently I found out that the fashion industry is among the top 5 most polluting industries in the world. It never occurred to me that clothing could destroy the ecosystem so bad, yet alone be among the top 5. To be honest, I was shocked!
I’m perfectly aware of the efforts being made by some organizations and some countries in ensuring that companies are environmentally friendly. Some companies have keyed into the importance of protecting the ecosystem. But how about the fashion industry? What measures is the fashion industry putting in place? What are the fashion retailers and designers doing to make fashion greener?
I did quite a bit of digging and found out how we can make fashion greener.
Eco-friendly fabrics
What’s fashion without fabric? That is the live wire of the fashion industry. From the production, dying and sewing, you need to have the fabric to make that amazing outfit. Although attempts were made by designers to use other materials like plastic or pieces or metals in their creation, fabric is the most commonly used.
It was only natural for greener fashion to start with eco-friendly fabrics. Science has made it possible to use fruit and vegetable waste as ingredients to produce eco-friendly fibre. Imagine wearing outfits made of apple pulp waste and citrus waste. Some fashion designers have started using those fabrics for their outfits.
A lot can be done in a lab. For instance, scientists have been able to create bio-fabricated leather. Others were able to successfully produce cloth from spider silk. It’s amazing to see how far science has developed.
Using recycled materials
I find fashion quite resourceful. While doing my research I came across a fabric called Denimite. This is a recycled material made from polyester, glass and denim. It’s blue just like denim but with an effect that represents marble tiles.
Materials like Denimite are not only eco-friendly, they also helps to encourage recycling culture. It’s quite innovative and Denimite has been used by fashion designers as well. It’s nice to know that it was well-received.
There has been a spur among more manufacturers to recycle other materials to create amazing fabrics for clothing items. Nylon and plastic were used to produce fabric for outdoor gear. There has also been news that synthetic rubber was used to create boots.
Properly disposing clothing items
Manufacturers and fashion designers are not the only ones responsible for making fashion greener. We the consumers also have a part to play in making fashion greener.
It was recorded that clothing worth billions of pounds is discarded each year. Sadly, most of those clothes end up in the bin. If you want to safeguard your environment, then you need to do something different.
There are millions of people who are in need of decent clothing. Instead of throwing your old clothes away, you can donate them to people in need. You may also sell your clothes or gift them to someone else.
How do you make your fashion greener?
Yes – I wish more bloggers would talk about the cost of fashion! I try to wear charity shop fashion and supplement with high street, but I’m still a long way off. Interesting to hear how new materials are being made too! I didn’t know!
Yea I agree. Think it is our duty to talk about the cost of fashion a little more.
I try to mix what I already have and try not to buy too many clothes that will just sit in my wardrobe looking at me, unworn. I’d love to find out more about companies within the fashion industry that are trying to be more environmentally friendly.
Oh great Emma.
This reminds me so much of Gucci, who has recently just banned fur from all of their future clothing lines saying its not ‘modern’. We should all be more like stella McCartney recycled is in style 🙂 – I love this post, thank you X.
Thank you for reading.
I did not know how new materials are being made – it’s fascinating really. I love your honestly about the price of high fashion – I love to thrift shop, always have ! It’s nice to see more brands within the industry trying at least, to be become more environmentally friendly .
Yea it is. Thanks for reading.
We always recycle or give our clothes to charity shops as I hate the thought of it going in the bin when so many people don’t have access to it. I’m shocked fashion industries are so high up in the list of pollution causers!! x
Yea I was shocked to discover that too.
Like Emma, I would love to find more companies that are working towards more sustainable fashion. I always make a point of recycling/donating/selling clothing when they are no longer of use to our family. I also try to buy quality items that will last longer rather than fast/cheap fashion. Nice article!
Thanking you.
I try to donate clothes that no longer fit me or my son. I hate the thought of clothes going to landfill. It’s good to hear other ways the fashion industry is trying to be greener.
Yea I hate the thought too.
I try and be green when it comes to my clothing too. Like for example I never throw clothing away and I always give clothes I don’t want to others so that it can be recycled again!
Oh good Ana.
I always try and donate clothes we no longer need to charity to recycle them x
Yeah me too x
We always recycle old clothes by giving them to charity or clothing banks. I would never throw them away, it’s so wasteful!
Yes it is wasteful. I always recycle my old clothes.
Interesting read Stella! I donate our clothes to the BHF. It’s nice to know that they can be recycled and used again x
Yes it is Jayne x
I had no idea either. I try to buy good quality things that will last, even if they are more expensive, rather than cheap things that will fall apart after a while. It’s a false economy.
I do the same as well. Cheap is a false economy.
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I love this post. I donate clothes I no longer need to charity and try to find the odd thing in the charity shops too. It’s not often that the environment and fashion is talked about, but it’s so important! Thanks for sharing your insight.
Thanks for reading Ella.
You’re welcome thanks for posting such amazing post, you’re honestly inspirational!
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I believe we must all try to create less garbage, & recycle as much as we can. I give clothing and other items to charity shops and there are lots of bargain buys to be found there too.
Yes there are Carol.
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