{"id":25036,"title":"How Fast Fashion Contributes to Climate Change, and What You Can Do About It","description":"The fashion industry is one of the world's most polluting industries and is a major contributor to climate change. According to the Fashion Revolution, our industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, as well as 18% of global water waste, and 40% of all chemicals used. These numbers are shocking, but they're also important to remember when we're shopping for clothes, and we're here to tell you why","content":"

The fashion industry is one of the world's most polluting industries and is a major contributor to climate change. According to the Fashion Revolution, our industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, as well as 18% of global water waste, and 40% of all chemicals used. These numbers are shocking, but they're also important to remember when we're shopping for clothes, and we're here to tell you why. <\/span>

When you buy a new piece of clothing, you're buying into a system that uses water-intensive manufacturing processes and pollutes the air with greenhouse gases. And if you're like us, you probably don't want to contribute to that system anymore.<\/span>

\"<\/span>Do not allow your wardrobe to contribute to climate change<\/span><\/em>\"<\/span>

So what can you do about it? First, in order to understand how exactly the fashion industry contributes to climate change, let's take a look at some of the main reasons why it is causing a significant negative impact on our environment, and then we'll explain how you can help reduce your own environmental footprint:<\/span>

How Does Fast Fashion Contributes to Climate Change?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

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1- Greenhouse Gas Emissions<\/span>
<\/strong>The fast fashion industry is responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through the production and transportation of clothing. The production of synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon requires large amounts of fossil fuels, while the transportation of clothing from factories to retailers around the world also contributes to emissions. In addition, the production process for natural fibers like cotton involves significant amounts of energy use and water consumption, further contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.<\/span>

2- Land Use and Water Pollution<\/span><\/strong>
The production of fast fashion requires large amounts of land and water resources, particularly for the cultivation of cotton. For example, it takes about 2,700 liters of water to produce one cotton t-shirt. This can lead to deforestation and soil degradation, as well as water pollution from the use of pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, the dyeing and finishing process for textiles can also lead to water pollution, as chemicals are often released into local waterways<\/span>

3- Chemical Use and Toxicity<\/span><\/strong>
Many of the materials used in fast fashion production contain hazardous chemicals --like pesticides, fertilizers, and dyes, that can be harmful to both the environment and to human health. For example, the production of synthetic materials like polyester and nylon can release toxic chemicals into the air and water. The dyeing and finishing process for textiles also often involves the use of chemicals like formaldehyde and heavy metals like lead, which can be harmful to both workers and the environment.<\/span><\/p>

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4- Energy Use<\/span><\/strong>
The production process for fast fashion requires significant amounts of energy, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Energy is used for everything from powering factories to transportation and packaging. This energy use is often fueled by non-renewable sources such as coal or natural gas, which emit carbon dioxide when burned. The energy-intensive process of producing synthetic fibers, in particular, requires large amounts of fossil fuels. For example, the production of polyester requires almost three times as much energy as the production of cotton. The textile industry accounts for about 4% of global energy consumption.<\/span><\/p>

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5- Microfiber Pollution<\/span><\/strong>
Another environmental problem associated with the fast fashion industry is microfiber pollution. Microfibers are tiny pieces of plastic that shed from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon during washing and drying. These microfibers can end up in the oceans and other waterways, where they can be ingested by marine life and ultimately enter the food chain. Research has found that microfibers are now the most abundant form of microplastic in the oceans, with a single load of laundry able to release up to 700,000 microfibers.<\/span>

6- Waste Generation<\/span><\/strong>
Fast fashion relies on a model of producing large volumes of cheap clothing that is intended to be worn for only a short period of time. This leads to a significant amount of textile waste, as many of these garments end up in landfills or incinerators rather than being recycled or reused. The decomposition of textiles in landfills can also release greenhouse gases like methane, further contributing to the negative impact of the fast fashion industry on the environment.<\/span>

So, What's The Solution? Buy Less?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

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Well, we wish it was that simple, but we're here to help you make a difference. If you want to help combat climate change by making sustainable fashion choices when buying clothes, here are some things you can do:<\/span>

- Learn How to Spot Greenwashing<\/span><\/strong>
Greenwashing is a term used to describe the practice of companies falsely promoting their products as environmentally friendly, when in reality they may not be. You'll find more information about it <\/span>here.<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/a>

- Avoid Fabrics that Have High Carbon Footprint<\/span><\/strong>
One of the easiest ways to start your sustainability journey, is to avoid fabrics that are harmful to the environment, such as, polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon (viscose) to name a few.<\/span>

Here's <\/span>a list of these fabrics<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/a> and why you should avoid them.<\/span>

- Shop Less, Buy Better<\/span><\/strong>
\"But, you just said its not that simple!\" Its not.. It's not just about buying less; it's about buying better. Investing in well-made, high-quality clothing that will last for years can help reduce the need to constantly replace your clothes. Buy less because it means you don't need to buy new clothes as often, which will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint. And buy better in terms of quality and choice of brand, because buying high-quality pieces that last longer from eco-friendly brands is better for both your wallet and the planet!<\/span>

~<\/span>Only what you need when you need it<\/span><\/em>.<\/span>

\"hvndwpbn5p3bldr32wqckjxeiqlvoidynhwx1rpujd69irnk.jpeg.jpeg?w=1140&v=2\"- Buy Secondhand<\/span><\/strong>
Buying secondhand clothing can help reduce the demand for new clothing and keep textiles out of landfills. There are tons of great resources online where you can find gently used items at an affordable price\u2014and they're often in better condition than brand new! If you don't want to buy anything used (or maybe even just want something new), try buying vintage clothing that's been properly cleaned and repaired. You might not find all your favorite brands here, but you'll definitely find something unique!<\/span>

- Choose Sustainable Fashion Brands<\/span><\/strong>
Look for fashion brands that prioritize <\/span>sustainability and ethical production practices<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>

Here at Skicho, we are carbon neutral, plastic free, and use natural materials like GOTS certified organic cotton in our products. Our production process is powered by renewable energy and our supply chain is sustainable, and we're also SA8000 Standard certified (Social Accountability International). Sometimes we run offers where we plant trees for every order to help us offset our carbon footprint, and other events that fund the recovery and recycling of ocean-bound plastic. Some of our products are made out of recycled materials. So don\u2019t worry about disposing your worn out Skicho items, because we\u2019ll take it back and repurpose its fibers! <\/span><\/p>

But that\u2019s just us! There are many similar brands out there that do good to the environment and have sustainable and ethical production processes.<\/p>

You can find more about Skicho\u2019s sustainability practices here<\/u><\/strong><\/a>.

- Shop Locally<\/span><\/strong>
Small local businesses are the backbone to our economy, by supporting them, not only do you help your community by allowing the local government to reinvest sales tax money in the community, but it also means you get to reduce your carbon footprint, because less transportation means less pollution and congestion! Talk about two birds one.. erm, nest? <\/span><\/p>

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- Make Your Own Clothes! <\/span><\/strong>
(Okey we know, we're not all crafty and nifty) but if you are, whether it's using a sewing machine or hand-stitching, you can repurpose a couple of old items in your wardrobe by creating a new fun piece like tote bags, cushion covers, or cleaning rags, or patch that hole on your t-shirt with a cute handmade embroidery. You can learn basic sewing skills to mend small tears or alter clothes to fit better online.<\/span>

- Choose Eco-Friendly Laundry Practices<\/span><\/strong>
The way you care for your clothes can also have an impact on the environment. Wash your clothes in cold water, air dry them instead of using a dryer, and use eco-friendly laundry detergents that don't contain harsh chemicals.<\/span>

- Donate or Recycle Old Clothing<\/span><\/strong>
When it's time to get rid of old clothes, consider donating them to a charity or thrift store rather than throwing them away. Here are two textile recycling programs in the UK:<\/span>

1- Love Your Clothes:<\/span><\/strong> Love Your Clothes is a campaign by the environmental charity WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) that aims to reduce the environmental impact of clothing. The campaign offers advice and resources on how to extend the life of your clothes, including information on recycling textiles. Love Your Clothes has partnered with textile recycling company TRAID to offer textile recycling bins in select locations across the UK. These bins accept all types of clothing and textiles, regardless of their condition.<\/span>

2- The Salvation Army:<\/span><\/strong> The Salvation Army is a charitable organization that operates thrift stores throughout the UK. These stores accept donations of clothing and textiles, which are either sold in the stores or recycled. The Salvation Army has its own textile recycling program, in which donated textiles are sorted and processed for reuse or recycling. Textiles that are not suitable for reuse are recycled into new products like insulation or industrial rags.<\/span><\/p>

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So here it is, our quick easy guide to understand the fashion industry\u2019s impact on the environment to help you take your first steps into conscious living!<\/p>

That's why we started <\/span>Skicho<\/span><\/strong>\u2014to provide sustainable clothing options for people who care about their future. We believe in the power of fashion choices, but we also believe in the power of making ethical ones. That's why everything we do is designed by our team of experts in an environmentally-conscious way, so you can feel good about what you wear no matter where you go or how often it changes seasons.<\/span>

When you buy a new piece from Skicho, not only do you get something that's ethically made with sustainable materials, but you're also helping reduce your carbon footprint by choosing something that was made by a team who cares about the environment.<\/span>

Always Remember: The most Sustainable garments are the ones you already own!<\/span><\/p>","urlTitle":"how-fast-fashion-contributes-to-climate-change","url":"\/blog\/how-fast-fashion-contributes-to-climate-change\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/how-fast-fashion-contributes-to-climate-change\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/skicho.teemill.com\/blog\/how-fast-fashion-contributes-to-climate-change\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1676824734,"updatedAt":1681306753,"publishedAt":1681306753,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":208433,"name":"skicho"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nx04bgonh5abjnmaanaq22xh2ieqffr1aoidxixvzqz7v9ts.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nx04bgonh5abjnmaanaq22xh2ieqffr1aoidxixvzqz7v9ts.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/nx04bgonh5abjnmaanaq22xh2ieqffr1aoidxixvzqz7v9ts.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"How Fast Fashion Contributes to Climate Change","metaDescription":"","series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":24428,"title":"What Is Greenwashing? And How Can You Spot It?","url":"\/blog\/what-is-greenwashing-and-how-can-you-spot-it\/","urlTitle":"what-is-greenwashing-and-how-can-you-spot-it","division":208433,"description":"Greenwashing is a term used to describe the practice of misleading consumers by using environmentally friendly marketing or green public relations. It's often used by companies that want to appear as though they care about the environment, but in reality, are just trying to make money off their customers.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/4bafhcheolvd7elsmnbe9a97jbt0bwbhosifgaeos0pm0icf.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/4bafhcheolvd7elsmnbe9a97jbt0bwbhosifgaeos0pm0icf.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":20541,"title":"What is Print On Demand?","url":"\/blog\/what-is-print-on-demand\/","urlTitle":"what-is-print-on-demand","division":208433,"description":"Print On Demand (POD) is a process that dropships products to customers only when the company receives an order. In other words, the manufacturing process of these products starts only after a customer has placed an order and made a purchase. But many of you might wonder, why is this an important term that you should know about and look for when you shop","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lsycekzucnj58gqgi7cfbpf1hxftx534tl2pleu0o4ixoy9c.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/lsycekzucnj58gqgi7cfbpf1hxftx534tl2pleu0o4ixoy9c.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":23743,"title":"Planting Trees: Buy 1 Get 1 Tree Weekends","url":"\/blog\/planting-trees-buy-one-get-one-tree-weekends\/","urlTitle":"planting-trees-buy-one-get-one-tree-weekends","division":208433,"description":"From time to time we sponsor a Buy One, Get One Tree weekend. During this time we plant a tree for every order placed. We exist to change the way things are made. That's what sustainability means to us.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/1gdzhvgs8irj3p1o2ctlfdw9gi03idwjgc5vfxpz30lcrnwj.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/1gdzhvgs8irj3p1o2ctlfdw9gi03idwjgc5vfxpz30lcrnwj.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}