Purchasing and shopping involve a choice and that is our power. So before buying ask yourself:
Do we need this?
What is the environmental impact?
Who benefits from the purchase?
The 1st question only you can answer but the second 2 questions are resolved well when you buy secondhand.
Have you been to the op shop lately when thinking of clothes you may need? Vintage or thrifting, recycling or free cycling, or whatever you call it, it means less is needed and more is reused and that is a good thing.
“I love vintage and recycled clothes. They make extravagance less costly to obtain, and I like to imagine the story behind each piece. Who wore it, where did she wear it, and who did she meet? Was it her favourite hat? Did she save up for it? I love the mystery of vintage clothes.” DITA VON TESSE
If you can't find what you like at Vinnies, Salvos or Australian Red Cross you can try these other vintage stores in Australia that are specifically for recycled children's clothing and accessories:
Second Childhood Melbourne,Victoria
Vinegar and Brown Paper Melbourne, Victoria
Boomerang Claremont, WA
Clothes LIME Boutique online store
Bearly Worn Albury NSW and online
2nd life NSW
I'm sure you know many more stores you would like to recommend so please add them in comments to be included in this growing directory.
FURTHER READING:
Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of the Clothing Industry discusses polyester and cotton processes from an environmental perspective.
Impact Of Textiles And Clothing Industry On Environment
Group to Rate Environmental Impact of Clothing - The New York Times
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition 60 leading apparel brands working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products around the world.
100% Organic Cotton
FURTHER READING:
Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of the Clothing Industry discusses polyester and cotton processes from an environmental perspective.
Impact Of Textiles And Clothing Industry On Environment
Group to Rate Environmental Impact of Clothing - The New York Times
The Sustainable Apparel Coalition 60 leading apparel brands working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products around the world.
100% Organic Cotton
I went to an amazing Red Cross vintage store in Paddington Sydney and was very impressed with the range and the way they displayed the clothes.
ReplyDeleteI never really thinki about the environmental impact of something I am buying - maybe with food but not with clothes. How do you work this out on a new item of clothing???
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fascinating question and maufacturing is a complex procedure and therefore difficult to analyse. Each step of the clothing production process carries the potential for an environmental impact. I would love to see an expert definitive answer to this question.
ReplyDeleteI have added a few links at the bottom of the original post to shed more light on the process.