The climate crisis has become all too real, and young people are encouraging the society to make smarter choices, even sacrifices, to preserve the earth. Today, accoring to the United Nations Climate Change News, the fashion industry accounts for 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, second only to oil. Each year, over 11,000 tons of clothing and footwear are produced, and as a result only about 10 percent of that actually getting recycled. In a world contaminated by consumerism, we need to change the way we shop, or quite frankly, refrain from shopping. To mitigate the climate crisis, people should try to revamp the clothes they already own or shop in second hand stores. However, if you can not make that adjustment just yet, here are some companies that have made the switch toward more environmental-friendly and ethical production (or have been environmentally responsible all along) for you to purchase your next ‘fit.
Athleta Supersonic
This July, Athleta released its first ever eco-friendly line that spins recycled Nylon into their “Supersonic” fabric at a fair trade factory. The company is hoping to expand this production line to most of their clothing in the future. Since as of August, it has managed to prevent 15 tons of textile waste (RunnersPace).
Patagonia
Not only does Patagonia devote an entire page of its website to the environmental impact of the textile industry, it takes action against the crisis by donating ten percent of its pre-tax profits to organizations fighting climate change. Most unique is Patagonia’s “Worn Wear” program that allows you to send back your gear to be repaired, resold or, if in too poor of a condition, recycled to make new gear.
https://www.patagonia.com/environmentalism.html
Reformation
Those who know sustainable fashion know Reformation. This clothing brand attracts young people with its trendy silhouettes, colors, and patterns, that are very opposite to most sustainable brands that gear toward more mature, plain shades and shapes for longer use. Each year, Reformation tracks and publishes statistics on the amount of material used and carbon dioxide omitted and how packaging, dying, shipping, and even recycling are impacting the Earth.
Alternative Apparel
This brand found a way to fight the textile and plastic waste problem by using recycled cotton in addition to recycled plastic bottles for polyester. They are also interested in reducing packaging watse that comes with online shopping and claim that they have saved 2,100 trees and 400 cubic yards of landfill a year.
https://www.alternativeapparel.com/responsibility
Sources:
https://unfccc.int/news/un-helps-fashion-industry-shift-to-low-carbon