HOW TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF YOUR CLOTHES ON THE PLANET
We have talked a lot about the impact that fast fashion is having on the planet. Now, here are KEEPER Denim’s top 5 ways to help reduce the impact of your clothes:
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BUY LESS
With the rise of fast fashion and the ability to purchase clothes at low prices, it has increased the rate at which we buy them. Today, we have an issue with over consumption, and this is having huge environmental impacts. With the accessibility of fashion, you can buy 10 pieces of the same item of clothing in a variety of colours and styles. Historically, we would have had maybe one or two. Did you know the average person wears an item of clothing seven times before they dispose of it? This increases the amount of textile waste in landfill. So to reduce your impact, try purchasing fewer items, that are higher quality and will last.
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BUY FROM ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE BRANDS
Ethical and sustainable fashion is an alternative to fast fashion. It has a focus on the social impacts of the fashion industry - ensuring garment workers are paid a living wage and have safe working conditions. It also includes a focus on animal welfare. Ethical and sustainable clothes are also produced with a focus on reducing the impact on the environment and the people involved in making them, across all stages of the supply chain. Clothes from these brands are often more expensive than fast fashion, however they are of much higher quality, which means they will last for many years.
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REDUCE THE AMOUNT YOU DISPOSE OF
Did you know that approx. 92 million tonnes of textile waste end up in landfill each year! That is a staggering number, which is why we are always looking for ways to extend the life of our clothing.
Here are some ideas:
- Repair – if an item of clothing is worn from use, don’t buy a replacement, repair it and it will be good as new!
- Re-use – do you have any old clothes at the back of your wardrobe that are beyond repair? Don’t throw them away, instead try cutting them up and use them as rags for cleaning around the house.
- Donate - if your clothes are still in good condition, but you just don’t want them anymore, you can donate them to your local op-shop for someone in need.
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BUY SECOND HAND CLOTHES
When it comes to updating your wardrobe to be more sustainable – you can choose to either purchase new or second hand pieces. The average Australian throws out approximately 23kg of clothing each year, which is a huge amount of clothing that ends up landfill and has a negative impact on our planet. By purchasing second hand clothes, you will not only save money but extend the life cycle of a piece of clothing that already exists.
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WASH YOUR CLOTHES SUSTAINABLY
The more you wear your clothes, the more they will begin to reflect your story and how you wear them. When you make an investment in a great quality wardrobe staple, you want to make sure they stand the test of time, whilst taking care of our planet too. So, the next time you do a load of washing, opt for natural laundry detergents ones that won’t pollute water which will end up in our oceans.
We hope you found these top 5 KEEPER Denim tips on how to reduce the impact of your clothes on the planet helpful!