The fast-moving fashion industry is one of the most environmentally harmful industries: every one and a half weeks of fast-fashion providers bring new collections, almost a third of the clothing produced lands unexpectedly on the trash, which further increases the pressure on the environment. In order to counteract this, sustainability certificates, second-hand purchases and upcycling offer opportunities to consume more consciously and reduce the negative effects of the fashion industry.
Around ten percent of global greenhouse gas emissions go to the account of the fashion industry. Fast fashion providers are primarily responsible for this. These companies bring up to 34 collections a year: Every one and a half weeks hangs new clothes in the shop or is advertised online. According to the environmental organization Greenpeace, up to 30 percent of this clothing that are produced for industrialized countries is never sold. They are thrown away and land on huge garbage mountains. At the same time, Fast Fashion also encourages its buyers to only wear their clothes briefly and to dispose of them quickly. But only around one percent of the global textile waste is recycled.
The big problems of fast fashion now seem to have arrived at many consumers: a Greenpeace study shows that many have started to restrict their clothing consumption again. In 2015, people in Germany still had an average of 95 clothing in their closet; In 2022 there were only 87. That does not sound like a lot of change, but corresponds to a total of around 340 million items of clothing per year, which hang in German wardrobes.
Sustainable fashion instead of Fast Fashion
But what are the alternatives to consumer floods through almost fashion? One possibility is the environmentally conscious and sustainable purchase: By buying clothing from ecological cultivation and fair trade products, we can promote the sustainable fashion market. For example, clothing from ecological cultivation dispenses with harmful chemicals and pesticides. This not only protects insects and plants, but also the health of farmers. Organic fertilizers also protect the soil. Water consumption, such as organic cotton, is also lower, since the soil can better store moisture with sustainable management.
Fair trade clothing, on the other hand, guarantees better social standards in clothing production: Companies with fair trade seals have to make sure that employees who often process the clothing in developing countries, work under safe conditions and are paid appropriately.
Such eco- and fair trade textiles are therefore considered a more sustainable alternative to conventional fashion and fast-fashion providers. Labels such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and IVN Best from the International Association of the Natural Textile Economy can display high standards in textile production. With these certifications, the entire manufacturing chain of the fashion companies – from the cultivation of the organic cotton to the finished product – is checked. They also prohibit the use of risky chemicals, which protects both the environment and the health of the workers. In addition to these two labels, the consumer center also recommends markings such as the green button or fair trade cotton, for consciously sustainable purchase decisions.
Recycling fashion and slow fashion
Another possibility of more sustainable clothing production is the targeted use of recycled raw materials. The Portuguese company Valérius 360 is one of the few fabric manufacturers who already practice this. For this purpose, the company buys fabric residues from surrounding textile companies that were previously thrown away. This waste is crushed and new yarn is made from it. This reduced textile waste and protected resources.
Another approach is the conscious avoidance of quick collections of collections. An example of this is the Cologne fashion company Armedangels. The company, founded in 2007, is committed to the Slow Fashion approach and produces only four collections a year. This also brings advantages to the company, because it enables more careful planning and production. In addition, armed angels use ecologically grown cotton as well as recycled synthetic fibers for clothing production and donates one euro from every garment sold to charitable organizations.
Second hand and clothing exchange
When buying sustainable and fairly stored fashion, it is still new goods, the production of which causes emissions and consumes resources. About 85 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from the textile industry come from the production of new clothing. If you want to reduce your environmental footprint, you should therefore try to continue using already manufactured and purchased clothing instead of buying new ones.
A more environmentally friendly alternative are, for example, second-hand clothing and clothing exchange parties. The wardrobe is refreshed by it without having to produce new clothing. When finding such events or a second-hand shop, the “Map of tomorrow” help. In this interactive card, second-hand shops, repair workshops and unpacked shops are recorded. It makes it easier to find local shops that are committed to sustainability. This supports small shops and providers on the one hand directly on site, on the other hand, this benefits climate balance. Because this does not include long transport routes, as is the case when used clothing ordered online and may be sent from abroad.
Upcycling – a second life
Another way to reduce textile waste and save materials, energy and money is upcycling. Old garments are transformed into new designs or used for other purposes. It is important to ensure that too many new materials for upcycling do not have to be bought. If many additional products are bought when redesigning or repairing clothes, it directly destroys the positive effect or even further exacerbates the problem of excess consumption. The focus should be on creatively dealing with what is already there.