What is Sustainable Fashion?
Today, it is important that everyone on earth do their part for the environment, but we need to go a little further, than just recycling. We need to pay attention to the way we drive, what we drive, how we dress, what we eat, and the way we use energy in our homes. Today, we are going to focus on the fashion part of our lives. The truth, is that not everything we wear is environmentally safe. The production of synthetic fabrics like polyester has more than doubled in the last fifteen years, and to produce these synthetic materials, manufacturers need to use oil products, which in turn let off harmful emmisions into the air, which cause respiratory problems, and problems in the environment. Even the EPA says that many of these textile manufacturers let harmful emmisions into the air, but since many of these companies are located in developing countries, there is not much that can be done to regulate these manufacturers.
What is the Solution?
The solution to the problem lies in our hands. We need to use sustainable fashion. But what is sustainable fastion? This is a somewhat complicated question to answer because there are so many elements that affect it. But essentially, it is fashion that is eco-friendly and environmentally safe and takes on many different categories.
• For instance there is fairtrade certified cotton fashion products. These are products where the label and marketer guarantees that a stable price is paid to small scale cotton farmers located in developing countries, and in turn the farmer agrees to grow crops that are free of pesticides and chemicals.
• Another Sustainable Fashion product is that of "organic clothing." This is clothing that is made with a minimal use of chemicals, no synthetic materials, and nothing that causes environmental pollutants. Today there are many innovative methods to making organic clothing, and plant material that was never considered before for garment making is now being considered, and being used.
• Recycled clothing. Every year most americans throw awa almost 6 million tons of clothes. These just go to the landfill and create more of a problem because synthetic materials are not biodegradable. To avoid this people that are interested in sustainable clothing, need to start recycling by purchasing clothing at the thrift stores, garage sales, or swapping with friends and family.
• The use of animal friendly clothing is another sustainable fashion measure. It is a good thing that more designers are choosing textiles that do not come for animal skins in their colletcions.
• Innovative use of materials. Although synthetic materials should be steered clear from as a matter of principle, there are some new and innovative fashion designers out there. Some of these are creating fashion from recycled materials. This type of clothing may also be considered sustainable fashion, because although it is man made, it is made from recycled products which help the environment.
In conclusion, there are many ways to use eco friendly habits when it comes to clothing, and if you want to find an easy wat to get into sustainable fashion, then the best way is to recycle, re-use, and buy used clothing. What is important, is that everyone begin to do their part for the environment, and that means using eco-friendly or environmental sustainable fashion choices. This is the only way we are going to be able to turn back the damage that has already been done to the environment. Experts say we only have a 10 to 15 year window in which to turn things around and create more environmentally friendly choices for ourselves.
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