Go Green with your Clothing, Part 1
Thursday, 11. June 2009
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.
Becoming eco-friendly or going green are terms that relate to lifestyles and/or products that are friendly to the environment. From consuming less natural resources, using organic products, recycling, producing less wast, using sustainable resources and so much more, it turns out that the more green steps that are int he production process the more eco-friendly the product.
In fashion, the most effective way to be eco-friendly is to simply buy less clothing, shoes, and accessories. The next most effective is to purchase used items from garage sales or thrift stores, reducing the amount of new products that need to be manufactured, keeping goods from ending up in landfills, and often making a charitable contribution at the same time. Another good option is to Freecycle which is a great way to get (and give!) free stuff locally. With the average American throwing out 68 pounds of clothing and textiles a year, it is easy to see how these options can make a huge difference.
Now, I am not denying these are great options, but in my fashionista heart of hearts, I love clothes, I love shoes, and I certainly love my handbags. Most of all I love shopping, the thrill of the hunt, and capturing that elusive great deal. For shoppers like me, there is still a glimmer of hope. Team Treehugger gives the following tips for building a green wardrobe 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.
Love your duds! No matter what you’ve chosen to buy, treat them right. Have a comfortable leisure outfit you can change into when you get home from work. Don’t lounge around the couch, cook or check the tire pressure in your nice work clothes. You’ll be amazed at how long they will last if you take care of them. Learn how to sew a button on a jacket or how to coax a kind friend to do it for you. Have a local seamstress help out with major repairs or alterations.
Dry cleaning is not eco-friendly. The industry is getting better, but the little shop down the street uses perc (tetrachloroethylene), a know carcinogen. These are really harmful the the environment. Although your article of clothing may ask for dry cleaning, often it can be hand washed, especially sik, wool and linen. If not, see if a local green cleaner uses wet cleaning or liquid CO2 techniques.
Buy vintage or used. People unload clothes for all types of reasons, and you know that adage about trash and treasure. From Oscar-worthy vintage dresses to Freecycled denim, you can likely find the piece youre looking for second hand. Youll be giving a cast-off garment a second life, and possibly supporting charitable work in the process.
Washing clothes wreaks havoc to the environment! It requires a lot of water and energy, so eliminate washes when you can. Turn your clothes inside out and use the lowest temperature possible. If an item is really hurting, make a thin salt past an soak the fabric for a half hour before washing. Choose phosphate-free and biodegradable detergent. Also, try link dry if you can. Treat stains quickly with non-toxic removers. If you’re in the market for a new machine, be sure to look for those with the Energy Star label- they are engineered to save energy.
Wear organic when possible. Though cotton is marketed as clean, fresh, and natural, conventional varieties are anything but. It takes a third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to produce the cotton for one T-shirt! That means lots of direct, unhealthy exposure for farmers and nearby wildlife, and heaps of unnecessary pollution. Ick. Luckily, organic cotton is becoming easier and easier to find. As mega-stores get into the game, however, its important to stay vigilant about what organic means, so you know youre really getting clean clothes. Also know that though the cotton may have been organic to start with, your T may be full of processing chemicals and metal-laden dyes.