The true cost of fashion: how to reduce waste?

You probably know that the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries today. And the drive to produce even cheaper products only increases senseless waste. The mass-produced, cheap clothes of "fast fashion" often wear out quickly, creating a lot of textile waste. This not only burdens our environment, but also makes people working in developing countries think: many of them think that we throw away our clothes because we don't have a washing machine - this level of waste is so unusual for them. It is also quite difficult for older generations to understand how we got to the point where clothes, which were once valuable and durable, have now become almost disposable items...

In this blog post, I would like to talk about how we can take steps together for a more sustainable future, while showing why this issue has inspired me even more to use patchwork and upcycling solutions in my own collections.

Behind every garment thrown in the trash is a long and often harmful process: manufacturing, shipping across continents, and finally incineration or destruction of unwanted items. The fashion industry produces 92 million tons of textile waste every year, and countless clothes end up in incinerators without ever being worn. These often wasteful processes not only cause huge amounts of carbon dioxide emissions, but can also contaminate soil and water with dangerous chemicals.

Some practical tips on how to reduce waste:

1. Shop consciously

The most effective way to reduce waste is to decide in advance what you need for a given season. This will ensure that you choose fewer and better quality garments that are durable and easy to combine.

2. Donation, gift giving

Nowadays, even by conservative estimates, we have accumulated so much clothing that often the majority of donated clothes end up in landfills. Based on this, it is always worth asking in the immediate environment first if anyone needs our unnecessary pieces. Incidentally, it has happened to me several times that my girlfriends have indicated in advance that they would be happy to accept the clothes I was wearing. We often organized clothes exchange evenings from this small amount. Incidentally, these evenings were memorable not only because of the clothes exchanges, but also because of the time spent together. In addition to helping others, donating also contributes to protecting the environment.

3. Transform it!

Repurposing clothes is a great way to breathe new life into tired or damaged clothes. Thanks to this, you can even create unique, special pieces. I am also applying this principle with more and more courage and bold methods, so I make clothes from old pieces of fabric and clothes.

4. Support local artists!

In this case, the work of local artisans and designers is not only unique, but also reflects the values ​​of your community. By buying from a local creator, you not only save on shipping costs from the warehouse, but you can also develop a more direct relationship with them. Believe me, at the end of a working day, it can be very satisfying when someone remembers what your favorite color is :) I can tell you from experience that thanks to personal interactions, you will become more attached to the clothes sewn for you.

The waste problem not only burdens the planet, but also has a long-term impact on our quality of life. The greenhouse gases emitted by garbage mountains warm the Earth, and the soil and water pollution harm our ecosystem.

Sustainable fashion is more of a direction we should all strive towards if we want to reduce our environmental burden. Shop consciously, support local creators and producers, or think creatively about recycling your existing clothes.

Let's embark on this journey together!

Photo: Sylwia Bartyzel (UNSPLASH)