Reading and hearing news on air pollution, waste accumulation, microplastics in the oceans and all other topics about human impact on the environment should be an alarm to wake our self-consciousness on this. Our planet suffers a lot from the impact of the textile industry on it. Knowing that fashion is the second biggest polluter of the planet must be a great reminder of the responsible part we’ve got to play. The role of consumers is crucial and they are often unaware of this. So, what can you do to help the environment while refilling your wardrobe? We’ve got some useful tips for that, let’s check them out! 

Go Local Shopping 

Local shopping won’t just support your local economy, but will also reduce carbon emissions. The traveling of the clothes until it comes to the targeted place produces massive carbon footprints. Be earth-friendly and try to shop locally! 

Choose Organic And Natural 

If you’re concerned about the garment industry’s impact on your environment and the health risk it causes, it is high time to dress in organic materials.  Organic fabrics and natural fabric fibers make you a little hero to your environment since pesticide use and the number of microplastics coming from synthetic fibers cause a lot of damage. Why not put some bamboo ankle socks, since materials like bamboo, hemp, and cotton use fewer pesticides and are far better for the environment. Support environmentally-sustainable clothing while enjoying your perfect outfits! This sustainable eco-fashion might be the way out of this consumerism and health-risk crisis that causes planet destruction. Choosing organic and natural while buying your new items is the perfect way to do your part and contribute to the environment as a consumer.  

Less Is More 

You’ve probably heard of the term “fast fashion”, haven’t you? Fast fashion is described as a marketing tool for customer frequency. It forces you to buy more and more clothing items in a short amount of time thanks to the constant updating of the assortment. This strategy works, especially because of social media where you can see newer trends presented as “must-haves”. All this wouldn’t pose a problem if it did not pose a threat for our planet as well. Try to follow your list and your realistic needs because a lot of clothes bought impulsively or only for the sake of fast fashion end up causing massive waste. The more unnecessary items we have the more we throw away and this throw-away culture is detrimental for the planet. Buy less and do more for the environment.  

Be Vintage-Friendly 

Second-hand clothes can save you from the trap of fast fashion. Besides, vintage is always in! Buying second-hand clothes help in reducing waste and thus pollution.  

You Share- You Care 

Put the sharing culture in the place of throwing culture. Donate some of those clothes tucked away in a closet threatened to end up in the trash. You can donate them to thrift stores or local shelters and again help protect your environment from the bad consequences of waste. 

Be Creative 

Creativity is always a good idea! Your unwanted clothing doesn’t have to become a threat to a healthy environment. Before buying more new items, you can reuse and repurpose your old ones by letting your creativity do its job. Give your old times new roles and names and reduce waste and gas emissions.  

Wash Mindfully 

After purchasing your new items, think carefully about the washing. Microplastic pollution occurs mostly due to the washing processes of synthetic fabrics. Save water and energy and also our oceans from microplastics by washing only when necessary. Also, try to use eco-friendly detergents and help in reducing toxins from entering our environment. At the same time, carbon footprints will be significantly reduced. 

When it comes to drying, try to air dry your clothes whenever possible. It is beneficial both for your health and the planet.  

Changing The Mentality 

To stay environmentally friendly when buying new clothes, one must first rethink the importance, the impacts, and the role one plays in this cycle. There is an urge to change the mentality of both the consumers and the industry. Quality should prevail over quantity, and the fast-fashion should turn too slow to help our environment. Buy how much you need; not how much the trends and fast fashion addiction force you to buy. Let the knowledge of the complex relationship between your clothes and the planet change your habits that might be detrimental. 

Whenever you buy new clothes, bear in mind that you can do a lot as a consumer. Consider buying organic and natural fabrics whenever you can, give up on throw-away culture, and find a way out of falling into the fast fashion trap. Your health matters and the environment matters and the best thing is that you can do something about it.