The garment sector produces 2-8% of global carbon emissions, and textile dyeing is a major source of water pollution. Fast fashion, where clothes move from idea to design to mass market as quickly as possible, plays a big role in this.The average person buys 60% more clothes than they did 15 years ago. but the storage period for each item has been halved.

We recently spoke to Garrett Clarke, a sustainability expert at the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), about how to stay on trend while reducing your impact on the planet. .

think about buying

Every second, a garbage truck’s worth of fabric is dumped in a landfill or incinerated. Many of those clothes were impulse purchases and some were rarely worn. “Unnecessary consumption is causing problems,” says Clark. “Instead of buying boots on the spur of the moment, ask yourself: What do you really need, do you want to follow trends, do you want to set trends? Please think of

think old clothes

It takes thousands of gallons of water to make one pair of jeans. This is one of the many reasons Clark says he should look into old clothes. It takes time and effort, but make sure you tune into the fashion marketing machine that is constantly pushing new designs. Clarke urges people to “celebrate their uniqueness by designing wardrobes based on vintage, handcrafted and traded pieces.” .

buy better quality apparel

Cheap clothes may seem more valuable, and while they’re the only option for many people, they also contribute to an environmentally harmful throwaway economy, Clark says. Apparel is quickly discarded and may not be worn at all. If you can afford it, buy quality, long-lasting clothing and take care of it. It’s better for the environment and the people who made it, and it’s easier on your wallet in the long run.

Give your clothes a second life

If your clothes start to wear out, Clark suggests repairing or upcycling them. When you’re done using it, exchange it, give it to a friend, or donate it. The fashion industry is poised to use up a quarter of the world’s carbon budget by 2050, so giving clothes a second her life will help combat climate change.