Love that pre-loved
Clothing! by Margaret DeStefano
The fashion resale industry is causing a monumental shift in consumer habits. As more people use clothing apps to buy and sell pre-loved fashion, secondhand clothing is getting a fresh start. The fashion resale industry is estimated to grow to $77 billion by 2025. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 11.3 million tons of textile waste were thrown into landfills by Americans in 2018. Despite the environmental harm and labor issues that have resulted from the fast fashion and faux fur industries growth, there are many ways to reduce the impact. Here’s a few ideas: 1) Reduce clothing waste by refraining from buying into micro-trends. By shopping for the weather seasons
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Solstice Green Directory - Summer 2022
rather than following small month-long trends, the amount of cheap clothing thrown away will certainly decrease. 2) Re-purpose old clothing; by turning a torn shirt into a Pinterest DIY or rag for cleaning, an item can have a second life. 3) Buy from second-hand thrift stores to help keep clothes out of landfills. 4) Donating clothing or shoes that are still in good condition can help others in finding quality items for an affordable price. Also, while you're donating, look for great buys for yourself at resale stores! For more information about how to fight clothing waste and advocate for sustainable production practices, visit the United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Fashion website: www.unfashionalliance.org