Every time I log onto social media, someone is trying to sell me something. Whether that be makeup, shoes, accessories, or clothing, someone is constantly trying to convince me I need to purchase a shiny new product. While it can be really tempting to give in to the claws of consumerism and fast fashion, those products will quickly lose their appeal and someday end up in the endless sea of a landfill.
The quick production of cheaply made clothing and pressure to follow ever-changing trends contributes to the fashion industry being responsible for 2 to 8 percent of global carbon emissions. By 2030, emissions from textile manufacturing are projected to rise by at least 60%.
As someone who loves clothes and tries to be environmentally conscious, there are some ways I combat contributing to these issues in my own life. For one, I thrift most of my clothing. Unless I need something specific and haven’t found it at a secondhand store, I’ll buy something new.
When I do find myself getting bored of my closet, I challenge myself to upcycle the items I already have. I do this by cutting the collars off of old sweatshirts for an off the shoulder look, or cutting an old pair of jeans into shorts in the hotter months. Upcycling clothing in small ways can give new life to a piece that may have ended up in a landfill instead.
While I am by no means an artist, I have an old pair of jeans and tons of paint, so I’m going to turn them into a unique piece of clothing that won’t just live in my dresser drawer.
Half an hour later I have something practically new. They’re unique and personal, and I got to do something creative. Before you think of tossing those old pair of jeans, grab a paintbrush and give them a new life.
