The average person wears 20% of their clothes 80% of the time – a statistic that we can all relate to – because who hasn’t stood in front of a closet full of clothes and felt like there is nothing to wear?
The seemingly easiest solution when there is nothing to wear is to shop online or in person for something new. Society has taught us that we will feel better in new clothes and that donating our unwanted clothes will solve the problem of our overfilled closets.
However, the production of new clothing has a significant impact on the environment. For example, synthetic fabrics are made from fossil fuels and conventional cotton requires a significant amount of water and pesticides (that usually end up in the ocean, polluting the marine environment). In fact, the fashion industry contributes 10% of global carbon dioxide output according to Bloomberg.
So if you’re looking for simple ways to reduce your impact on the environment, start with the five R’s of sustainable fashion.
Reduce: buy fewer clothes
The average person buys 68 new garments per year (source: WSJ). Instead of treating shopping as a leisure activity that ends in impulse purchases, go for a walk, call a friend or read a book.
Rewear: shop your own closet or swap
By rewearing the clothes already in your closet (there are likely plenty), you’re keeping clothes in use and out of the landfill. Host a clothing swap with your friends to exchange clothes that you’re not wearing but are still in great condition.
Repair: we live in a time of planned obsolescence
Learning to make small repairs and mending our clothes helps extend their life regardless of whether they are produced by a fast fashion or luxury brand. Find a good tailor or alterations service in your area to help you care for your garments for a long time.
Resell: if you’re not wearing it, sell it to someone who will
Websites like Poshmark, The Real Real and ThredUp are a great way to turn one person’s trash into another person’s treasure – plus you’ll make a little extra money for the clothes that are otherwise taking up space in your closet.
Recycle: close the loop
Clothing recycling is becoming increasingly easier thanks to companies like Circ, which has technology that can separate cotton and synthetic fibers. There are also brand-specific programs like Eileen Fisher’s Renew, Patagonia’s Worn Wear, Marine Layer’s Respun, Outerknown’s Outerworn and ForDay’s Take Back Bag.
Next time you’re staring at an overstuffed closet of clothes, pull out a piece you haven’t worn in a while and consider wearing it for the day – you’ll probably feel like you’re wearing something new-ish and you’ll be helping the environment – win-win!