Many people are unaware of the level of pollution the fashion industry contributes on a daily basis. You may be consciously living the sustainable lifestyle but so long as you patronize the fashion industry. You also participate in its pollution activities. Which is why sustainable fashion is the topic of today.
The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world after the oil and gas sector. It’s hard to believe as no one would have suspected that clothes and accessories could be such an environmental hazard.
How Does Fashion Affect the Environment?
Pollution from the fashion industry is a result of processing the raw materials to turn them into the clothes we buy from the stores. For example, a lot of dye is used to produce denim. Some of the processing plants are located near water bodies and the dye gets washed into the water. This makes the water unfit for drinking and for water life. The fish die or get infected. In the long run, as the end consumers in the food chain, we get affected too.
The harsh chemicals used to process leather and denim is the cause of medical challenges for workers in those factories. These workers are in direct contact with the chemicals and bear the brunt of the prolonged exposure to the chemicals at the expense of their lives.
As bad as this may sound manufacturers are not the only ones who are guilty of pollution in the fashion industry. Research has shown that an average person uses a clothing item 7 times before it’s thrown away. Can you image that? Those who are diligently into recycling don’t think of recycling clothing.
Sustainable fashion not only helps to protect the environment but also helps to protect the lives of those who take part in processing it. It requires a conscious and collective effort to completely eliminate or reduce the harm the fashion industry can cause to the ecosystem. It is important to get involved because at the end of the day we all get affected.
The good news is that eco-friendly textile are being produced and developed to make clothes that are safe and sustainable. They are making a god alternative to their destructive counterparts.
What Role Can You Play to Support Sustainable Fashion?
There is a lot you can do to support sustainable fashion. Don’t throw away clothes that you no longer use. You can donate, sell or recycle those clothes instead. Another way is to repurpose those clothing items. Some people have been able to convert their old jeans to cute tote bags and old shirts to trendy tops. Patronize eco-friendly brands. Do a bit of research on which brands are engaging in sustainable practices.
The negative effects the fashion industry has to the ecosystem may sound surprising and even frightening. But this should not be the reason why you should throw all your clothes, shoes and bags away. If you want to support sustainable fashion, transition into a sustainable lifestyle gradually.
Take baby steps like recycling clothes, purchasing one eco-friendly clothing item at a time, or be more creative with your old clothes. Whatever you choose to do to help make this transition is a step in the right direction.
What do you think of sustainable fashion? Please sound off in the comments section below. Let’s chat.
Thanks for reading.
