What’s Going On?
Fashion Revolution Week – part of a global movement which campaigns for reform in the way our clothes are sourced, produced and consumed – kicked off on Monday in the Houses of Parliament with Fashion Question Time.
Politicians, academics, activists and fashion industry experts are discussing the most important issues in the fashion industry. Arguably the most pressing of all is fast fashion and its effect on the environment.
What Does This Mean?
We’ve previously written about fast fashion – it’s not Usain Bolt’s new clothing line but a term used to describe clothing that’s produced rapidly, cheaply and in mass quantities. Fast fashion has made clothes super-affordable and has transformed the way we shop.
In the year 2050 it’s estimated that the global textiles industry will use 300 million tonnes of non-renewable resources, such as crude oil and coal, compared with the 98 million tonnes used in 2015.
If you’re finding it hard to visualise 300 million tonnes, it’s the equivalent of approximately 29,703 Eiffel Towers. Sacré bleu! ????????
Why Should We Care?
When manufacturers cut corners to meet demand, it’s common for toxic chemicals to be released into rivers. These chemicals then turn up in agriculture – poisoning the food chain – and wreck rivers’ ecosystems. And where do the majority of these frocks and tops end up? Yup – landfill. It’s estimated that the UK will send £30billion worth of gear to landfill in 2018. Enough to fill Wembley Stadium!
Enough of the bad stuff. What can we do?
Be Curious!
As part of Fashion Revolution Week (and beyond), try asking brands on social media #whomademyclothes ? Then, if you’re not happy with the answer, speak with your wallet. Brands that don’t meet the sustainability challenge will see it in their sales. Your choices make a difference to the planet. Power to the people!
You could also recycle your clothes rather than sending them to landfill. reGain is an app that gives you shopping discount coupons when you send them your unwanted clothes.
To make an even greater impact – why not stick to second-hand items? You can get everything you need on marketplaces like ebay, depop and in vintage, pre-loved and charity stores. Now that my curious.friend is a jean-ius idea!
