Growing up, we’ve always been told to recycle, not be wasteful, and remain conscious of the environment. Given our current climate crisis, it’s more important than ever to be environmentally conscious in whatever ways we can. One thing you might not consider as having a big impact on the environment compared to others is clothes. When buying a new wardrobe, it’s important to shop with a sustainable mindset. Shopping is just another way to do your part in being friendly to the earth. Sustainability in fashion gives clothes a longer lifespan and chance to be used rather than being tossed in a landfill. So here are some examples of places you can shop that will help reduce your carbon footprint one pair of jeans at a time!
ThredUP is an online store that advocates for extending the life of clothes and discouraging the need for abundant production that leads to unnecessary fashion waste. Their program operates as a “circular closet” that processes and recirculates clothes quickly. They’ve also created a fashion footprint calendar to help users keep track of their environmental footprint as it pertains to their fashion spending, helping them learn new ways to be environmentally resourceful as they shop.
Goodwill has long been an advocate of donating and reselling clothing items to keep them circulating and in use, providing many services to help local communities. They are especially known for being a core resource for anyone looking to find cheaper clothes if they can’t or simply don’t want to afford expensive clothing. This does cause some issues with fashion trends and people going to Goodwill stores simply because it’s more trendy as that can take away from those who genuinely need it but overall it’s a great resource for underprivileged people. Goodwill works to divert usable goods from landfills and repurpose donated items for new owners.
Thrift stores are another age-old way to contribute to sustainable fashion and also go easy on your wallet! Thrifting has long been a practice for people looking to find items that are decent quality but at a cheaper price. Rather than paying for the full designer item, thrift stores can get you a deal that’s much more affordable while also helping to support your local economy and keep usable clothing from going to the landfill.