Have you ever thought about how long you wear your clothes before replacing them with something new? Fast fashion, the trend of buying and disposing of cheap, trendy clothing, has become the norm in recent years. But at what cost?
The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, and by continuing to buy and dispose of clothes at an alarming rate, we are contributing to this pollution.
In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons why we should wear our clothes until they’re worn out, and how this simple act can have a positive impact on the environment.
The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion
The fashion industry is a major contributor to pollution and waste. It is estimated that 20% of global wastewater and 10% of global carbon emissions come from the fashion industry. The production of clothing requires a vast amount of resources, including water, energy, and chemicals.
These resources are used to grow raw materials, such as cotton, and to manufacture, transport, and distribute the finished products. But it’s not just the production of clothing that is harmful to the environment.
The disposal of clothing mostly fast fashion items is also a major problem. The average person in the U.S. throws away about 80 pounds of clothing and textiles per year. Most of this clothing ends up in landfills, where it takes decades to break down.
The Benefits of Wearing Clothes Until They’re Worn Out
By choosing to wear our clothes until they’re worn out, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Here are a few specific benefits:
Reduced Resource Consumption
When we wear our clothes until they’re worn out, we are using fewer resources. This means less water, energy, and chemicals are used to produce and transport new clothing.
Less Waste
If we wear our clothes until they’re worn out, we generate less waste. This means there is less clothing ending up in landfills, where it takes decades to break down.
Saved Money
By wearing our clothes until they’re worn out, we can save money on clothing purchases. Fast fashion may be cheap, but it can be expensive in the long run if we are constantly replacing cheap, poorly made clothing.
Investing in high-quality, well-made clothes that will last for years can save you money in the long run.
What We Can Do to Extend the Life Cycle of Our Clothing
Here are some practical ways you can extend the life cycle of our clothing.
Repair and Maintain
One of the easiest and most effective ways to extend the life cycle of our clothing is to repair and maintain it. This can include simple fixes like sewing on a missing button or patching a hole, as well as more extensive repairs like altering a garment to fit better or replacing a broken zipper.
By investing a little time and effort in maintaining our clothing, we can significantly extend its lifespan.
Choose Quality over Quantity
Fast fashion, the trend of buying and disposing of cheap, trendy clothing, has become the norm in recent years. However, cheap, poorly made clothing is more likely to fall apart or go out of style quickly, leading to a shorter lifespan.
By choosing quality over quantity, we can invest in clothing that is well-made and will last for years. This doesn’t mean we have to spend a lot of money on designer labels; there are plenty of affordable options available from ethical and sustainable brands.
Wash and Dry Responsibly
The way we wash and dry our clothing can also impact its lifespan. Using high heat or harsh detergents can damage the fibers of our clothes, leading to premature wear and tear. To extend the life cycle of our clothing, we can try washing on a lower heat setting and using a gentle detergent.
We can also hang our clothes to dry or use a low heat setting on the dryer. These simple steps can help our clothes last longer.
Donate or Sell
Finally, when it comes time to say goodbye to our clothing, we can choose to donate or sell it rather than throwing it away. This gives our clothing a second life and keeps it out of landfills, where it can take decades to break down.
Many thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces will accept gently used clothing, and some even offer cash or store credit in exchange.
Final thoughts
Wearing clothes until they’re worn out may not be the most fashionable choice, but it is a simple and effective way to reduce our environmental impact.
By choosing to wear our clothes for longer, we can reduce resource consumption, generate less waste, save money, and more towards a world where sustainable fashion is possible.
So next time you’re thinking about replacing that shirt or pair of pants, consider wearing them a little longer and doing your part to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
