Reduce your fashion carbon footprint
Any new item produced has a price tag for the planet.
What is a fashion carbon footprint?
The carbon footprint of a garment is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gas emitted during its lifecycle. This includes everything from crop cultivation for natural fibers, to oil and gas production for synthetics, to assembling the garment, to shipping it where it needs to go, to caring for the garment (washing, drying, ironing), to its disposal. Each type of item of clothing has a different emission factor that changes its carbon footprint depending on many variables, such as whether it is derived from organic cotton, whether it sheds harmful microfibers while washed, or how much care it needs when it’s being used (does it wrinkle and need to be ironed frequently, is it dry clean only?)
How can I reduce my fashion carbon footprint?
Even though a lot has to change at a corporate level, there is still a lot we can do as consumers. Every dollar we spend is a vote cast for the world we want! You have the power to change your carbon fashion footprint and to show your favorite brands what you expect of them.
Wear your clothes more
Making use out of the items you already own instead of buying anything new is the biggest possible way to reduce your fashion footprint. Brands like AllBirds have brought increased visibility into the negative environmental impact of producing anything by printing their carbon footprint onto each hang tag. But even support brands making big shifts like this comes at a cost to the environment. The most sustainable thing you can do is use the items you have until the end of their life instead of filling your closet with unworn items.
Practice sustainable laundry habits like washing less frequently, with cold water, using eco-friendly detergents
The care of your garments while you have them can contribute as much as 50% of the lifetime carbon footprint of your item. Washing your items only when you need to, using cold water, hanging to dry, are just a few ways you can integrate sustainable practices into your laundry routine. (We even wrote up an additional post of all of our tips and tricks for reducing your laundry carbon footprint here.)
Shop secondhand
Extending the life of your clothes can reduce their lifetime carbon footprint by an estimated 5-10%. So wear, re-wear, and take care of your clothes so you can love them for a long time.
Recycle clothes that are no longer wearable
Textile recycling is a whole ‘nother complicated issue, so if you are able to recycle your clothing that is no longer wearable on your own, such as cutting up threadbare t-shirts and socks to be used as rags, this is always best. The next best step is to take your clothing to a textile recyclers, or make use of recycling programs like the ones offered here.
Ask the important questions of your favorite brands
Sending emails to customer service might seem like a losing battle, but for many brands, these inquiries are studied meticulously and used to optimize and make changes to the way the brand functions. Ask your favorite brands what their plans are for working towards becoming carbon neutral. It’s completely possible to have these conversations in a productive and positive way, and if enough customers ask for it, the brand will make the change!