Written by Lenzie Ward, P3 Specialist Published on January 21, 2025
If our shirt tag told us everything it was made from, it might say something like:
“100% Cotton”
“713 Gallons of Water (1)”
“15 pounds CO2(2)”
The apparel and footwear industry produces a whopping 8 to 10% of the world’s carbon emissions, which is more than both the aviation and shipping industries combined (3). This substantial footprint is a result of many factors in the lifecycle of textile and clothing, from the energy-intensive production and manufacturing, lengthy and carbon-heavy supply chains (think “Made in China”), release of microfibers and pollutants with washing, and disposal methods by consumers.
Although the rise of fast fashion has exacerbated these concerns, it also proves that demand impacts supply in the industry. Consumers can make a difference, and how you shop, care for, and dispose of your clothing can influence the market for the better and help offset emissions.
Take care of what you have.
- Follow washing instructions on the tag to give your clothing a long life span and not over utilize energy resources.
- Hand-wash delicate items. “Gentle cycle” generally uses more water than hand-washing, and delicate items can often be destroyed by excess and rough washing.
- Wash items like sweaters and jeans less often (if possible).
- Save energy by hang drying or drying on low heat.
Buy less.
- Shop timeless styles that won’t go out of fashion.
- Try it on. If it’s not perfectly comfortable or fitting, don’t buy it.
- Will you actually wear it? Will you wear it multiple times? Does it match other items in your wardrobe? If the answer might be no, consider skipping the purchase.
Purchase higher quality clothing items.
- If you buy less, you’ll be able to spend more on the clothing you do purchase.
- They’ll last longer, so you will minimize clothing waste and buy fewer replacements.
Buy clothing made from more sustainable materials.
- Buy items made from recycled materials, recycled cotton, organic cotton, linen, or hemp.
- Avoid virgin cotton or virgin synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, acrylic, and rayon.
Buy from companies that prioritize sustainability.
- Shop locally made items or items made in the USA.
- Buy from companies that give back to the planet.
- Purchase from stores that use sustainably sourced materials.
Shop secondhand.
- Shop at your local consignment or thrift store.
- Shop on second-hand clothing websites and apps.
Wear it out, Donate, Recycle, or Sell
- Get as much use out of your clothes as you can. Wear them until they wear out.
- Donate unwanted clothes to a thrift store, shelter, or to someone you know.
- Sell them online or at a consignment store.
- Recycle them with an online or in person clothing recycling program.
- Cut them up and use them as rags or other items at your home.
One way that HRSD strives towards sustainability is with our very own secondhand clothing program, the HRSD Closet. This program encourages employees to donate unwanted uniform items so they can be rehomed to other employees. Since October 2022, the HRSD Closet has received over 1,900 donations and rehomed almost 1,200 uniform items!
What other ways can we practice sustainability with our clothing and apparel?
Sources
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEExMcjSkwA
- https://www.carbonfact.com/blog/tshirt#:~:text=The%20average%20carbon%20footprint%20of,in%20India%20(10%20kgCO2e)
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.973102/full
- https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes/
- https://ecocult.com/circular-fashion-recycle-upcycle-downcycle-resale-definition/
- https://sustainablecampus.fsu.edu/blog/clothed-conservation-fashion-water
- https://www.the-independent.com/climate-change/sustainable-living/fast-fashion-sustainable-worst-fabrics-b1855935.html
(This blog post is brought to you by the HRSD Closet)