If you’re still wondering what you can do to reduce your impact on the planet and be proud of your green and gorgeous lifestyle, here are some little tips to green your wardrobe:
1. Plan
Try your best to plan your purchases. I know that kinda takes the fun out of shopping – I’m all for impulse buys – but they usually aren’t very
sustainable for your wardrobe or the planet. Buying a top on sale for $10 from a chain store sounds fun at the time, but if you take a moment to consider where this top probably came from (possibly from the hands of a child in a far away land) and consider whether this top is a good addition to your wardrobe and will stand the test of time…you may want to pass. Making educated and conscious purchases is a great way to feel good about where your money is going and what you are supporting.
2.
Wash carefully
Washing machines and dryers are not planet friendly. Try your best to wear your clothes until they really need a wash (excluding underwear!) and only wash when you have a full load. The chemicals that can be found in washing detergents and stain removers can be harmful to yourself and waterways, so next time you need some more, try a biodegradable, chemical free one instead. Wash your garments carefully – turn items inside out, pop delicate items in the delicates bag or hand wash them and hang them out to line dry whenever possible. If you need a new washing machine, try to find one that is more energy efficient.
3.
Choose natural, organic fabrics
Conventional cotton is anything but eco-friendly (see our previous article on this). Lucky for you, organic cotton and sustainable fabrics such as bamboo are becoming much easier to find. In fact, you can pop straight over the Vegan Era Wonderland to see a range of 100% organic bamboo and cotton tees that are printed with water-based, low impact dyes and are made in certified fair-trade conditions by carbon-neutral companies. Phew… that was a mouthful! These tees are full of LOVE and purchasing one will help us to help others. We are working with Tulele Peisa, an organization in Papua New Guinea to assist over 3000 islanders to relocate to the mainland due to climate change. Their home is quickly disappearing with rising sea levels and increased natural disasters worldwide.
4.
Vintage
Probably the best way to green your wardrobe is to purchase pre-owned garments from op-shops or vintage stores. This way you are recycling and saving that item from landfill, getting a great item that is unique AND being totally eco-friendly.
5.Avoid animal products
Of course it goes without saying at Vegan Era that you should avoid animal products. Every year the global leather industry slaughters about a BILLION animals and tans their skins and hides. Kangaroos are slaughtered by the millions every year to create soccer shoes. Although the Australian government requires that hunters shoot the animals, orphaned joeys and wounded adults are, according to government code, to be decapitated or hit sharply on the head “to destroy the brain.” Upon learning about these cruel methods, soccer star David Beckham switched to shoes made from synthetic materials in 2006. So be like Beckham and choose animal-free!
Wool, fur, silk and other animal products are also brought to the consumer in neat, pretty packages after the animal has suffered in cruel conditions. Check out this video narrated by Pink, which showcases the Australian wool industry. Be warned, it’s not pretty.
Making small changes in your wardrobe can make a big difference. Be love – Be peace – Be vegan.
