by Katarzyna Lejb, Research Compliance Specialist
Spring is the perfect time to start living more sustainably by embarking on a deep cleaning journey to eliminate excess clutter in your living space, primarily your closet. Incorporating eco-friendly practices into your clothing choices can enhance the aesthetics of your home, promote a healthier lifestyle, and positively affect your well-being. According to the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, people who described their homes as cluttered had a higher cortisol level (a stress hormone) in their saliva.
But where do we start? Here are seven ways to promote a more sustainable lifestyle by incorporating eco-friendly practices into your clothing choices
Image by Alena Koval via Pexels
1. Second-Hand Shopping:
Shopping second-hand is one of the easiest ways to reduce the impact clothes have on the environment. When we purchase second-hand clothing and accessories, we reduce the demand for new clothing. This reduces the resources, pesticides, and fertilizers needed to produce it. As a result, carbon emissions and pollution decrease.
Buying second-hand clothing can also save money, allow you to find unique pieces, and support local communities by purchasing from second-hand stores or organizations, such as Housing Works, which contributes to important causes like fighting AIDS, homelessness, and social justice.
Next time you need to update your wardrobe, consider shopping second-hand and make a positive impact on the environment and your community.
2. Selling Unwanted Clothing
Do you have a closet full of clothes that you no longer wear? Instead of throwing items away, consider selling them to give your wardrobe a second chance at life. There are various options for selling clothing online, including Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Poshmark, and ThredUp. These online marketplaces allow you to list your clothes for sale and reach a broad audience of potential buyers.
Another option is to host a garage sale. This is a great way to sell many items directly to your neighbors and can be a fun event for the whole community. Be sure to follow any local garage sale guidelines or restrictions. By selling your unwanted clothing, you’re not just making some extra money; you are doing your part to decrease the ever-growing problem of textile waste.
Image by Alena Koval via Pexels
3. Donating Textiles
Allow your clothes to be worn and loved by someone else! Donating your used clothing is another sustainable option for items you no longer wear, keeps textiles out of landfills for another lifecycle, and can help those in need. Many organizations accept clothing donations, including Goodwill, Housing Works, homeless shelters, animal shelters, and places of worship. It is important to check your chosen organization’s donation guidelines, as many will only accept lightly worn clothing.
Donate NYC is a program that provides New Yorkers with tools to make donating and finding second-hand clothes, shoes, accessories, and textiles easy. Whether you are a business, a nonprofit community organization, or a resident, DonateNYC can help.While donating your clothing is great for the environment and those in need, it can also be financially beneficial for you. Many charitable organizations offer tax deductions, so keep a record of your donations for tax purposes.
Next time you're cleaning out your closet, consider donating your used clothing to a worthy cause.
4. Recycling Programs
Do you have clothing or textiles that are too worn or damaged to donate or sell? Consider participating in a clothing recycling program. Many municipalities offer recycling programs that turn clothing into rags or insulation, keeping it out of landfills and reducing waste. And it's often as simple as dropping off your items at a designated collection site. To find clothing recycling programs in your area, check with your local municipality or search online for programs offered by clothing manufacturers. The New York City Department of Sanitation is an excellent online resource advertising various recycling drop-offs. One such program is refashionNYC, a free, in-building collection service for old clothes and other fabric items for NYC residents, businesses, schools, and nonprofits.
Some clothing manufacturers, such as Patagonia, also offer programs for recycling their own brand's clothing. In addition, many retailers, such as H&M and American Eagle Outfitters, have in-store clothing recycling bins where you can drop off any brand of clothing or textiles. By participating in these programs, you’re actively helping reduce the waste the fashion industry generates.
5. Eco-Friendly Fashion
If you want to make a more significant impact on the environment, consider supporting eco-friendly fashion brands. These brands use sustainable materials and production methods, often focusing on reducing waste and minimizing their environmental footprint. Many eco-friendly fashion brands are available in the US, making it easy to incorporate sustainable clothing into your wardrobe.
Patagonia has incorporated environmental, animal welfare, and social responsibility programs into its business practice. Other excellent options include Eileen Fisher, Reformation, Krochet Kids, and Sustainable Men’s Clothing Brands. These brands use sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing practices and often donate some of their profits to environmental causes.
By choosing eco-friendly fashion brands, you'll support companies doing their part to reduce their environmental impact. And with so many great options available, it's easy to incorporate sustainable clothing into your wardrobe.
6. Renting, Not Buying
Renting clothing is a great way to save money and reduce environmental impact. Not sure if you want to commit to a particular dress or accessory? Consider renting it before buying. This allows you to try the item and see if it fits your wardrobe well before committing.
Several clothing rental services, such as Rent the Runway, allow you to borrow high-end clothing and handbags for a fraction of the cost of buying them outright. This saves you money and reduces the environmental impact of fast fashion and overconsumption. If you don’t want to rent an entire wardrobe, you may consider renting specific items for special occasions or events. Style Lend and Armoire offer a wide selection of dresses, handbags, and accessories.
7. Eco-Friendly Laundry
Laundry may not be at the forefront of your mind when considering sustainability though there are many ways to make your laundry habits more eco-friendly. Certain chemicals and energy used in traditional laundry practices can significantly impact the environment. One simple change is to switch to an eco-friendly detergent. These detergents are made from natural ingredients and are biodegradable, making them less harmful to the environment and your skin.
Another option is to use an organic dry cleaner. Many traditional dry cleaners use harsh chemicals. Organic dry cleaners use safer, non-toxic cleaning methods that are better for the environment and your health. Not only will you be reducing your environmental impact, but you'll also be supporting a more sustainable business.
Conclusion
It's always possible to start living a more sustainable lifestyle. Adopting only one of these seven practices might seem like a drop in the ocean. But it can make a big difference. From shopping second-hand and donating unwanted clothing to recycling and switching to eco-friendly detergents, there are plenty of ways to impact the environment positively. By taking these steps, you'll do your part to reduce waste and protect the planet for future generations.