Go Green with your Clothing, Part 1
The world is a blaze with talk about going green, so I wanted to see how all this eco-friendly talk could impact the fashion industry. Well, I found that there is quite a bit to talk about, so I’m going to divide my thoughts into a few articles to cover everything.
In the fashion industry, going green means that products or lifestyles are environmentally friendly, or minimize impact on the environment. Within the production process, the more eco-friendly steps that are included, the greener the final product is. Companies can try and consume less natural resources, use organic product, recycle, create less waste and many others, during these production steps.
If you really want to be more environmentally conscious, the most effective way is to simply buy less clothing. The less shoes or accessories you buy, the smaller your environmental impact. The next most effective is to purchase used items from thrift stores, discount outlets or garage sales, effectively reducing the amount of new products that are manufactured. Preventing goods from ending up in the dump. Also, this is often making a charitable contribution at the same time. Another good option is whats call ‘Freecycle’. Basically, its a great way to get (and give) free stuff locally. The average U.S. citizen throws away around 68 lbs. of clothing each year- so it is easy to see how simple modifications in our consuming habits can really made a difference.
Hey, these options aren’t bad, I know, but I love to shop! The thrill of the hunt. Finding the perfect handbag at just the right price. I love it! Well, luckily, there is hope for me from our friends ate Team Treehugger on Planet Green.
You’ve heard it before, but shop with a plan! Pretend that a new item of clothing is like a new kitten, it needs a home where it will be loved and appreciated. Don’t just through it in the closet full of other clutter. It needs to be valued and most importantly, worn. Ask yourself: Will I wear this in two years? Can I wear something like this at work? How will it go with my other items and accessories? Will I still want to wear this rhinestone-studded bustier after I get it home? If not, then don’t make the impulse buy! I know, it sounds boring, because we love the impulse buy, but if it doesn’t fit into your long term fashion plan than skip it.
Whatever you’ve chosen, take good care of it. Love your duds. When you get home from the office, change into something more comfortable and get out of your nice work clothes. Don’t work on your car or cook in clothes you want to be seen in in public. Sew a button when you have to. Don’t know how? Learn, or get the name of a local tailor and have them give your clothes a little TLC.
Don’t do dry cleaning. Although it’s improving, your trusty corner cleaner uses perc (tetrachloroethylene), a known carcinogen. See if there is a good local green cleanner employing wet cleaning or liquid CO2 techniques. Many items of clothing have tags that ask fro dry cleaning, but they can actually be hand washed. This is especially true with silk, wool and linen.
Vintage and used clothing are great alternatives. Try a second hand shop and you’ll be suprised what good items you can find. They say ones trash is anothers treasure and it’s true! From Oscar-worthy vintage dresses to Freecycled denim, you can most likely find something that fits just right and for a lot less money. Often, you’re helping out charities at the same time. Everyone wins.
Wash well. Washing wreaks the most havoc of all. It requires lots of water and energy, so only do it when you absolutely need to and have a full laundry load. Turn articles inside out and use the lowest temp possible. If you know you glowed all over a piece, make a thin salt paste and soak the affected fabric for a half hour before washing. Choose phosphate-free and biodegradable detergents and line dry as much as possible. Treat stains quickly with nontoxic removers. If youre buying a new washing machine, look for one with an Energy Star label.
When possible, wear organic! We often think that cotton is clean, natural and fresh, but most the time it’s not. It takes a third a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce the cotton for just on cotton t-shirt! Luckily, organic cotton is getting easier a nd easier to get our hands on. Be careful, however, a T-shirt that may have started out as being organic is often processed with chemicals and metal-laden dyes. We need to stay vigilant for true organic clothing.