Believe it or not, landfills have become more clogged with clothing these days than the average person’s closet. The problem is such an epidemic that the Environmental Protection Agency reports textiles currently make up nine percent of all landfill items.
Although recycling has transitioned to a more mainstream practice, eighty-five percent of the clothing that Americans buy ends up getting thrown into the garbage. Without a course of action to recycle these items responsibly, it’s safe to say this is nothing short of an epidemic.
With the average American family spending about $1,803 annually on apparel, a top concern should be responsibly shopping for eco-friendly clothing. Read our helpful guide below on five ways to find affordable and sustainable clothing while doing your part to preserve the planet!
Sustainable Clothing Basics
Whenever possible, choosing natural, renewable fibers is always the best choice. Not only do they save energy and conserve water but they are easy to grow. If you’re unsure of what types of materials are the best to choose from, no need to worry.
We’ve created a list to make it easy for you!
- Wool
- Silk
- Hemp
- Tencel
- Bamboo
- Linen
- Alpaca
Although most people think cotton is the ideal choice, unless it is organic, cotton is filled with pesticides and uses a ton of water to produce.
Five Eco-Friendly Clothing Options to Try
If you’re searching for ways to keep our planet healthy, choosing to buy eco-friendly clothing is a great place to start. Check out the five options below.
5. Secondhand Clothing Stores
One of the easiest and most accessible ways to adopt an eco-conscious clothing practice is to hit up your local thrift store or resale shop. Not only is the selection super affordable, but hidden treasures can be discovered on a regular basis. If you’re the type of shopper who loves vintage finds, a secondhand clothing store is a perfect choice for you.
4. Garage Sales
Although garage sales don’t always have the sizes you need, they are still a great resource to find clothing at outrageously cheap prices. A whole dollar for a pair of fancy designer jeans or a flirty spring dress? Count us in!
3. Clothing Swap Parties
A clothing swap party is a fun activity to organize for you and a group of friends or co-workers. As a hostess, ask everyone to donate bags of clothing they’ve outgrown or no longer use, then meet up with you at your home and let the fun begin.
Not only is this a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon with friends, but everyone gets to go shopping for free! And anything you don’t take can be donated to a shelter.
2. Eco-Friendly Clothing Brands
Buying eco-friendly clothing brands is another way to do your part to preserve the environment. Do an online search for companies that use eco-friendly or recycled materials. Patagonia, SE Apparel, and Alternative Apparel are three good quality brand names to start with.
1. Online
Sustainable clothing options are aplenty on the internet, so make sure to do a little bit of research before you make a purchase. Whether it’s vintage clothing on eBay, through the Freecycle Network, or a basic online vendor like swap.com, you can feel great knowing you’re keeping clothes out of a landfill and creating a greener planet.
Wearing Sustainable Fashion is a Choice
We hope our guide was helpful to you on your road to living a more eco-friendly clothing lifestyle. With just a few small changes, you can greatly improve the quality of the environment, one t-shirt or dress at a time!
For the latest fashion tips and how-tos, check out our style section today!
