Nowadays you hear it everywhere: life just has to become more sustainable. We all simply live far beyond the carrying capacity of the earth – and this has to change. But what does that have to do with your wardrobe you might be wondering? What’s the problem with those clothes? What role does the coronavirus play in this? And where should you even start?
Why sustainability also counts in your wardrobe
Already halfway through 2020, we reached the latest Earth Overshoot Day again. While we expected that day to fall somewhere at the end of July, the extreme impact of the coronavirus on our consuming and travel behavior caused it to get pushed back until August 22nd. Even though we gained about 3 weeks on that compared to last year, the fact remains that from that day on, we had already used up all the raw materials that our earth can actually produce and process in waste every year. We then started living on reserves that we borrow from the future.And did you know that Switzerland already reaches its overshoot day on May 11th this year?
Source: National Footprint and Biocapacity Accounts, 2021 Edition
Truly alarming as every year this date comes earlier and earlier.
WHAT IF YOU ALREADY ‘LIVE QUITE CONSCIOUSLY’?
No one is too small to make a difference, right? Maybe you’ve already tackled your travel behavior (shoutout to that flight shame that makes you plant your behind in a train seat more and more often). Perhaps you are already eating more plant-based, more local and seasonal. You may already save a lot of energy in your house, run entirely on green, renewable energy sources or even live super energy efficient, assisted by smart household appliances. Perhaps you consciously shop as packaging-free as possible and you already very rigorously separate the waste that you do produce?
Yes, maybe you are doing quite well. But then you suddenly get a “Yes, but how do you deal with fashion then?” thrown at you.
What about your clothes?
THE FASHION INDUSTRY IS SO POLLUTING (AND UNFAIR)
The fashion industry, because of its huge production chains and ridiculously energy-intensive production, accounts for about a tenth of all greenhouse gases we emit. That is more than all aviation and sea shipping combined! From the colossal amounts of water used in the limestone neoprene or leather industry, to the production of silk or non-organic cotton, to the tons of chemicals needed – our earth is simply running out.
In addition to this, the lives of the people in the clothing industry (farmers, factory workers) and the animals (for their fur or skin, or to end up as an ingredient in cosmetics) are often downright pitiful. In a ruthless drive for profit maximization, they are incredibly exploited by the industry.
Fast fashion on steroids: the frequency of new collections is flying up and prices are falling. Buy more, replace faster. The result is a thriving but consequently damning billion-dollar industry and waste dumps full of clothing that has barely been worn. ‘Fun’ fact: every second, an amount of clothing comparable to the contents of a garbage truck is burned or dumped. It costs so much, but it is worth next to nothing.
THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON THE FASHION INDUSTRY
How wrong the current system is is again painfully exposed by the coronacrisis. During the outbreak, factories came to a halt, supply of raw materials and semi-finished products ceased, and now that the world isn’t buying new clothing en masse, the clothing industry is completely paralyzed. To avoid warehouses full of unsold clothes, fashion companies are now increasingly canceling their orders with manufacturers.
With bankruptcies lurking in all areas, the money has suddenly disappeared. In low-wage countries, textile workers are fired without compensation. And even the numbers of reported child labour (which had actually been reclining for the last 20 years) is now spiking up again. But the hard truth is: as unfortunate, unsafe and unhealthy as the clothing industry often is – millions of people in the poorest countries and their families are completely dependent on it.
Perhaps when reading this piece, a radical idea will start to develop with you. What if we decide to do it completely differently?
THE SOLUTION
It all intertwines. Once you are aware of all the misery caused by the (fast) fashion industry, chances are that you no longer want to fund it with your heard earned money. Fortunately, this is now paving the way for more sustainable, fair production systems. It is an opportunity for investing in the right thing: on better paid and safer jobs throughout the fashion industry. Passionately world changing companies like Mermaid Protector that want to tackle things better, just like us, are sprouting up everywhere. The amount of fair chain brands and vegan companies is growing at a rapid pace. This is the future.
But watch out:
PERFECTLY SUSTAINABLE DOESN’T EXIST
The production of clothing is of course never completely sustainable: to make clothing, (depending on what you choose, to a greater or lesser extent) land, water, energy and all kinds of chemicals are needed. The cultivation and processing that is necessary to get from fiber to garment have a certain impact on the environment. Just like any other product you buy, whether or not you use it for years or put it in your mouth to eat for a one time hit of happiness. First it has to be made, then you (hopefully) use it up and then you throw it away. That process is inextricably linked to human life; almost automatically un-environmentally friendly. But it is not like you cannot have a positive influence on this.
Because, whenever you buy something new, you can always make more sustainable choices within this decision. Recycled materials or fibers, materials sourced locally in Europe and materials processed with fewer chemicals, pesticide-free and grown and processed with as little water as possible: there are absolutely more environmentally friendly choices to be made.
So if you don’t really need something, consider not buying it. It saves unnecessary, negative impact. That is why we say: buy with compassion. As little as possible. But always vegan, fair and as sustainable as you can.
#recycledplasticbottels #neoprenefree #mermaidprotector #veganfashion
