Browse our growing selection of sustainable family products! Check back often as we will continue to expand this amazing Category with even more eco-friendly and ethical items you and your family can enjoy!
Browse our growing selection of sustainable family products! Check back often as we will continue to expand this amazing Category with even more eco-friendly and ethical items you and your family can enjoy!
by Natalie MichelOctober 19, 2021 5 min read
When we think about trying to be more environmentally friendly, there are a few things that immediately come to mind, such as recycling and using clean energy. However, we don’t often think about the clothes that we wear. Do the clothes we wear even have an impact on the environment? As it turns out, they do, and it’s BIG. There are many environmental consequences associated with the fashion industry of today, but the two largest issues come from water misuse and pollution.
If the fashion industry continues to follow this trend of water misuse and pollution, all other environmental efforts may be in vain. In order to achieve cleaner living, we must also incorporate sustainability into our fashion.
Sustainable fashion refers to textiles and clothing that have been made with the environment in mind. From the very beginning stages such as growing the raw materials to the final stages when the product is purchased by the consumer, all practices are carefully considered in order to avoid environmental consequences such as water waste and pollution.
For example:
It seems simple, doesn’t it? Companies and organizations within the fashion industry just have to modify their practices to be more environmentally friendly, and those ghastly statistics we discussed will change. Despite the seeming simplicity of the solution, many companies are continuing to disregard the impact their actions have on the environment. Why is that?
Why aren’t companies and cooperatives making these much needed changes to help the environment? The answer: money.
In 2019, the net worth of the fashion industry within the U.S. was valued at $1.5 trillion. On a global scale, the industry is valued at $2.5 trillion, making it one of the most profitable industries in the world. On a large scale, the fashion industry is a money making enterprise with the goal of rapid production and rapid sales. We mentioned the term “fast fashion” earlier, and it is a concept that has largely taken over the fashion world.
Some elements of fast fashion include:
Fast fashion acts like a cycle. Clothes are cheaply made so they are priced “affordably.” The consumer believes they are getting a good deal and buys the cheap clothing. The cheap clothing deteriorates or falls out of style and is discarded. The consumer then buys something else to replace that item of clothing. It feels like we are spending less on our clothes because each item costs less, but in reality, we are spending more because we continuously buy the cheaper clothing. This is where the consumer’s responsibility in sustainable fashion comes in.
While it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of fast fashion, breaking out of it is the first step in sustainable fashion. Rather than mindlessly buying off the sales rack at large retailers, take some time to think about the clothing you’re buying.
Here are some tips for shopping more sustainably:
In reality, the fashion industry won’t change its ways overnight, but small steps made by people like you and me will be the snowball that starts the avalanche of change. Living more sustainably can be difficult at first, but here at Clear Givings we are doing our best to make it easier for you by shining a spotlight on small businesses and vendors who are already utilizing sustainable business practices. We strive to be your one stop shop for all things eco-friendly, including the best in sustainable fashion.
Let us know what you think, and tell us about your favorite eco-friendly fashion brands!
by Aria Crane 12 min read
by Aria Crane 16 min read
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