- Know the fabric ingredients
Understanding fabric composition is a key part of sustainable consumption. One easy solution is to avoid native fibres such as polyester, which makes up 55% of global clothing. The reason is that chemical fiber is derived from fossil fuels and is difficult to degrade. Of course, there are differences between natural materials. For example, organic cotton is more water-efficient than conventional cotton and does not use harmful pesticides.
Certification labels can also help you distinguish which products use environmentally friendly materials. Examples include the Global Organic Textile Standard (cotton and wool), the Leather Working Group (leather) and the Forest Stewardship Council (viscose).
- Who makes your clothes?
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the plight of garment workers around the world. Consumers are responsible for ensuring that they receive fair wages and safe working conditions. The method is to choose brands that disclose their factory information, wages and production conditions policies.
- Science is the truth
Brands that take their environmental impact seriously will set science-based targets. Gucci-owned Kering and Burberry, for example, have signed up to the Science-based Carbon Target Initiative (SBTi) to reduce emissions in line with the targets of the Paris Agreement.
- Support advanced environmental brands
Environmentally-conscious fashion brands such as Mara Hoffman and Sheep Inc are not only eliminating negative impacts, but also considering how to have a positive impact on the environment. Regenerative farming, such as no-till and cover crops, helps restore soil health and biodiversity and is gaining increasing attention in the fashion industry.
- Beware of harmful chemicals
Some chemicals do not appear on clothing labels, but are used in the garment manufacturing process, polluting local waterways and endangering garment workers. Look for OEKO-TEX's "Green Manufacturing", Bluesign and other certificates, which means that the product manufacturing process follows strict dosage specifications.
- Reduce your water footprint
Fabric production consumes up to 93 billion cubic meters of water per year, equivalent to 37 million Olympic swimming pools, so the water footprint of visible clothing cannot be ignored. As mentioned earlier, organic cotton farming uses much less water than conventional cotton (up to 91% water saving, according to one study), and water-less and waterless dyeing are also techniques worth paying attention to.
- Vegans need to be discerning
Despite the negative environmental and ethical implications of animal-derived materials such as leather and wool, alternative vegan products, such as chemical fiber, are not entirely harmless. Fortunately, innovative materials are starting to appear, such as Bolt Threads' Mylo mycelium leather, which was used by Stella McCartney.
- Treat your clothes well
An important step in reducing the environmental footprint of clothing is to extend its useful life and not send it to a landfill after wearing it once or twice. In addition, avoiding excessive washing can also make clothes last longer, and reduce water and emissions. If there is damage, it should be a priority to repair rather than throw it away.
- Mesh microplastics
Completely avoiding chemical fiber is temporarily impossible, for example, sportswear and underwear must rely on nylon, elastic fibers to obtain the necessary elasticity. The washing process of these garments releases thousands of microplastics that harm aquatic life in oceans and rivers. The easy solution at the moment is to use microplastic filters, such as the Guppyfriend laundry bag for chemical fiber clothing, ora Cora Ball placed directly into the roller.
- Make sure old clothes get a new lease on life
When cleaning out unused clothes, avoid throwing them away. A better solution is to donate used clothing to charity, which can also be transferred or exchanged. For clothing that cannot be repaired, it can be handed over to a recycling agency for disposal if conditions permit.
