More from Less: Reduce your Clothing Waste

Reduce or waste prevention encompasses all actions that can be undertaken to keep creating clothes waste and minimizing the adverse impact on the environment and human health. It can be achieved by limiting useless buying, sharing your clothes with your friends, renting, or purchase garments that will last for you longer. Following these actions we will build generation of environmentally and socially mindful consumers and by strong pressure on brands and retailers we will responsibly decrease clothing waste by producing less.

In these days, nearly 6,5 million tonnes of clothing are consumed in the European Union yearly, and it’s average 26 kg of textiles per person.

We will build generation of environmentally and socially mindful consumers and by strong pressure on brands and retailers we will responsibly decrease clothing waste by producing less.

Rethink before you buy

Even if you like some piece of clothes, you don't need more than you can wear. Be realistic about your needs and restrict yourself to purchasing quality clothes for your lifestyle needs. Instead of mindlessly shopping and buying everything you think you need immediately, wait before you buy and ask simple question - Do I really need it? Learn how to buy less and still be satisfied.

Share your clothes

Become a borrower when the urge to shop strikes, try raiding someone else’s wardrobe instead. Look from friends or go to clothes-swapping events. By sharing you and your friends won’t need to buy anything new.

Rent instead of buying

This is a great option, especially for clothes that you will not wear for a long time or often. For example party or special occasions clothes, pregnancy, job interviews and etc. Many people buy clothes and wear them only few times. Consequently, by renting clothes, shoes or bags you will avoid buying new ones. Some of renting companies also offer a monthly fee, allowing customers to constantly renew their wardrobe.

Choose sustainable options

Look for clothing with labels that claim to be free of harmful chemicals. Make sure they are certified by a third-party. Such as, small-scale production, from trusted supply chains or traditional crafting techniques, that uses local material and trans-seasonal garments. As a result, it will call for a change in the economic model, towards selling fewer and more sustainable clothes. As well it will send a message to the big brands that you want clothing free of harmful chemicals, and minimal environmental impact. Don’t buy that latest piece just because it’s appealing. Buy a piece of clothing because it meets good environmental standards.

Slow fashion

If you need to buy, buy fewer clothes of better quality – slow fashion. Buy quality pieces of clothes that will last you longer than items that are focused on trend. Unlike fast fashion, slow fashion is an attempt to convince consumers to buy fewer clothes of better quality and to keep them for longer.

Don’t buy that latest piece just because it’s appealing. Buy a piece of clothing because it meets good environmental standards.

Make your clothes to last longer

Your clothes don’t need to be washed as often as you think, because after many washings your garment might lose color, elasticity and durability. Use a delicate bag in the washing machine and that will help preserve the lifespan of your clothes. Carry a stain removal pen, which will allow you to tend to stains as they happen. Moreover, don’t dry clean often and reduce the amount of detergent. Due to the use of harsh chemicals, it harms not only the fabric but the environment too.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you have found this topic useful and helpful. Please leave your comments below.

All references available on request.