Brill Climate Action Group : committed to change

What’s the problem with fast fashion?

Fast fashion … What’s the problem?

Although they provide jobs, the textile and clothing industries have a deeply negative effect on the health of our planet. Many fabrics are not earth-friendly; their production requires far too much water and energy and many are not biodegradable. Did you know that every second of the day, a garbage truckload of clothes moves to a landfill site or to be burned?

The fast fashion industry - buy it cheap, bin it tomorrow - is also bad for the planet and for the people producing it. Cheap fashion can mean unfair wages, forced or child labour and horrible working conditions.

What can we do?

In a nutshell: Adopt a con-consumerist mindset and change our shopping habits. Sounds radical? Then read on…

Piles of bright orange and red folded fabrics
 

Committed to Change : Try Just One Thing

  1. Buy fewer but better quality clothes. Ask yourself: “How many times will I wear this?” The answer should be AT LEAST 30 times! Break the cost of a new item down to cost-per-wear; it’s only worth it if you are going to wear it a LOT.

  2. Shop secondhand. Look at local charity shops, vintage outlets and online re-sale shops (including those selling ‘dead stock’), such as eBay, Market Place, Etsy, and Vinted. Or consider buying recycled fashion; try Nearly New Cashmere and Turtle Doves.

  3. Swap clothes with a friend or at a swap shop event. See the advert for the BCAG Swap Shop on March 20th.

  4. Rent clothes. Sounds weird but this works really well for a special occasion, a holiday or if you just want to try something new. Take a look at Hurr Collective - or simply borrow from family or friends.

  5. Look after your clothes. Store clothes correctly (beware moths!) and only wash things when they really need it; pure wool is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal, for example.

  6. Repair loved garments. Patch worn garments using reverse appliqué or darning. Visible darning is very fashionable; see Pinterest for inspiration!

  7. Up-cycle clothes. Give new life to an old garment with a pair of scissors and a needle and thread; embellish with embroidery; change the colour with dyes or painting techniques.

  8. If all else fails; recycle. Please DON’T consign old clothes to landfill; use the local textile collection bins at Brill Fire Station or Brill Primary School, or ask local charity shops. And remember that natural fibres are compostable; cut or tear into small pieces to speed up the process.

Caroline and Jayne, for BCAG