by Ali Anne Johnson, Homemade Health Coach Team Member
With each season, you may want to add some pieces to your wardrobe or buy gifts for others. This information will help you become more mindful of the quality and sustainability of what you are purchasing for yourself or a loved one.
Awareness of environmental issues is growing and the fashion industry has come under scrutiny for its impact on the planet. One of the key areas of concern is the use of harmful fabrics and unsustainable practices in garment production. Let’s explore the importance of sustainable clothing and the dangers associated with some fabrics.
The Problems with Fashion
The fast fashion industry is known for its rapid production cycles, low prices, and short-lived trends. While this model allows consumers to keep up with the latest styles, it comes at a significant environmental and ethical cost. Much of fast fashion uses synthetic fibers, which make up a large majority of waste in landfills.
Another major issue is the use of chemicals and toxins in clothing production. New clothing commonly contains phthalates, formaldehyde, fungicides, disinfectants and fumigants to keep new clothes from mildewing, wrinkling, or enhancing fabric resistance. Some brands have been known to contain toxic heavy metals such as lead.
Problems in fashion aren’t just on the consumer end but also for the workers who are exposed to harsh conditions, forced labor, and toxins. Many overseas nations have inadequate protection of workers and many companies are complicit in allowing it to happen to protect their bottom line.
Let’s explore different options to offer insights about how consumers can make better clothing purchasing choices.
Synthetic Fabrics
Made using energy-intensive processes and harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and ammonia, these petroleum-based materials shed micro-plastics when washed, contributing to non-biodegradable pollution in our environment (forever chemicals). Promoted primarily for performance wear and durability, the environmental effects and hazardous chemicals associated with the production of synthetic materials are not well known.
The top fabric offenders are Polyester, Nylon, Acrylic, and Elastane (Spandex, Lycra).
Semi-Synthetic Fabrics
Textiles that are man-made from naturally occurring polymers are considered semi-synthetic. Commonly produced from regenerated cellulose (wood pulp), the production can involve heavy processing with toxic chemicals that harm workers and the environment. Some semi-synthetic fabric, such as Tencel, may be an acceptable replacement for active-wear or under garments as it’s soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, and biodegradable, but may still use heavy production methods.
Common semi-synthetic fibers are Rayon (Viscose), Bamboo, and Tencel (Lyocell, Modal).
Natural Fabrics
Natural fibers are more of an investment, but they are durable, biodegradable, breathable and created from renewable resources. Some natural fabrics may be grown conventionally with chemicals, pesticides, and insecticides, or demand significant resources to produce. Some natural fabrics may be more sustainable, better for workers and made without harsh chemicals.
Common natural fabrics are Cotton, Linen, Hemp, Wool, and Silk.
The Clothing Solution
Eliminating all synthetic fibers isn’t a readily achievable solution. There are, however, ways to mitigate the effects on you and the environment. As a consumer, there are several ways you can support sustainable fashion and reduce harmful fabrics:
Choose Natural Fibers: Opt for clothing made from natural fibers as they are generally more eco-friendly and less likely to contain harmful chemicals.
Look for Certifications: Like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), OEKO-TEX, Organic, and Fair-Trade can help you identify sustainable and ethically produced clothing.
Buy Less, Choose Well: Embrace a minimalist wardrobe by investing in high-quality, timeless pieces that will last. By reducing the need for frequent replacements you will reduce waste and be more mindful in your approach to consumption.
Support Sustainable Brands: Beware of green-washing. Research and support brands that truly prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Many small and independent brands are leading the way in eco-friendly fashion.
Buy Recycled: We can’t always buy natural fabrics on items such as swimsuits, but recycled polyester has an advantage over its raw counterpart as it lowers the environmental impact of garment production.
Second-Hand Shopping: Thrift stores and online resale platforms offer a great way to find unique, affordable clothing while reducing your environmental footprint. Otherwise, many garments will end up in the landfill.
Donate, Hand-down or Re-purpose: Instead of throwing an item in the trash, opt for finding a new home for a garment that has life left in it. For clothing that cannot be re-worn, find a way for it to be re-purposed (make napkins, pillows, rags or use for art projects) or look for a textile recycling center.
Creating New Trends & Traditions
Sustainable clothing is more than just a trend; it’s a necessary shift towards a more ethical and environmentally conscious fashion industry. By understanding the dangers of toxic fabrics and making informed choices, consumers can play a crucial role in promoting sustainability. Whether it’s choosing natural fibers, supporting ethical brands, or embracing a minimalist wardrobe, every small step counts in the journey towards a more sustainable future.
As we shift seasons, we shift into a new wardrobe, we clean out our closets and replace our summer tank tops with fall sweaters. Perhaps you traditionally put all your unwanted items into a pile, donated some, threw away some or passed some on to a family member. With the extra space in your closet you filled it with new on-trend items without thinking about their impact.
Healthy for people and Earth: Let’s start a new clothing tradition, one that supports people and the earth in a positive way. As the seasons change, create a tradition of replacing your closet space with sustainable, timeless pieces that you will love for years to come, and doing what’s best for your unwanted items.
When purchasing items for others, choose sustainable garments and educate them on eco-friendly practices so that we may pass down our new clothing traditions to create a new generation of eco-fashion warriors.
Leave a Reply