Our clothing consumption is a serious issue when it comes to climate change and consumerism. Unsustainable production and consumption are at the heart of the global warming crisis. Consumers are buying more clothing and wearing it less often than ever before. The Ellen Macarthur Foundation has estimated that a truckload of discarded clothing is dumped in a landfill every second.
But excessive purchasing is only half the issue. The other half is the unethical labor, resource extraction, and toxic waste that clothing production requires. The fashion industry is a significant consumer of water, accounting for approximately one-tenth of all industrial water usage for all factory operations worldwide. In addition, the clothing dying process releases a toxic cocktail of chemicals into the planet’s oceans. To keep prices low, corporations use cheap materials derived from fossil fuels and exploit workers in some of the poorest countries of the world.
To make matters worse, the plastic fibers in our clothing are polluting the oceans when we do our laundry as well. Washing synthetic textiles releases microplastics which end up in our water supply, our fish, and even back into our own bodies.
We are long overdue for a reset of our wasteful way of life. Saying ‘no’ to the latest trends is not easy. It’s tempting to want to be fashionable, especially when it’s affordable. But the money we “save” has a price. The expense is passed on to oppressed workers and our planet at large. Here are some ways to reprogram our thinking and resist the urge to buy more than we truly need:
I know I’m not the only one that has an overflowing wardrobe but wears just a few favorites 90% of the time.
You probably have a “uniform” like me. I typically wear jeans and a hoodie with slip-on sneakers. I’ve attempted to revamp my style numerous times and become a “cool girl/boss babe” but it never sticks. I wear what I’m comfortable in and that’s how it should be.
Look at the clothes in your closet and donate everything you haven’t worn in over a year. Keep in mind that the goal is to keep your closet empty, not to refill and repeat. Donating clothing has its own set of problems, because only 10-15% of donations end up in the second-hand market, but think of it as a one-time cleanse, not a new habit. If you’re up for it, try selling your unwanted items to ensure they find a new home.
I love seeing all the empty space in my closet! My space feels more open and peaceful. I’ve even gotten rid of my special occasion clothing. If I’m invited to a wedding or fancy dinner, I just wear my tried-and-true black slip-on dress and add jewelry and high heels. Remember: Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. The great thing about this is that once you decide to stick to what you love, you can stop thinking about clothes altogether (until something needs to be replaced). You will have more mental space!
When part of your uniform inevitably needs to be replaced, choose a natural fiber cloth that’s made ethically, or visit your local thrift shop. Sustainable new clothing can be more expensive, but you’ll be spending less of your overall budget because your buying fewer items and wearing them more often. 
Natural fibers like cotton and wool last longer as well. We should all do our part to ensure that we don’t contribute to the exploitation of workers or the planet.
Make things easier for yourself by removing temptation. Unsubscribe from marketing emails, unfollow fashion influencers on social media, and recycle mailed catalogs without looking at them. Focus instead on what you have. Focus on fulfilling your needs, not your wants. If you didn’t want it until you saw it, chances are you don’t need it.
You might initially notice an increased sense of boredom or restlessness once you remove consumerist distractions from your life. Finding a new hobby will help keep you from falling back into old habits. Personally, I love reading more than anything else (it’s also free!). Watch a documentary. Start a new workout routine. Start a journal. Go outside for a walk. Clean the house!
Invest in yourself by learning new skills like cooking, mending, gardening, etc. Just be mindful of falling into a new consumerist trap. Keep things simple.
I’ve fallen off the sustainability bandwagon a few times. If it happens to you and you indulge in some retail therapy in a moment of weakness, don’t beat yourself up over it. Take this opportunity to try your new item on at home. Does it have the same charm as it did on the rack in the store or can you live without it? Put it in your closet. Are you ok with the amount of space it takes up? Are you ready to look at this item every time you open your closet for the rest of its life? How often are you going to wear it? Do you already own something similar? Don’t remove the tags and take a few days to think it over. If you truly love it, then keep it, but take advantage of the return policy and send the clothes back if you have second thoughts.
Do you have any no-buy tips? Please share below! Every choice we make has an effect on the planet. We all must do our part to make a better planet for every living thing. Breaking free from consumerism not only benefits the earth and our budget, but our peace of mind as well. It frees up mental and physical space to fill with more meaningful pursuits.
The Ellan MacArthur Foundation
Princeton Student Climate Initiative
Remake the World Are Our Clothes Doomed for the Landfill? — Remake
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