Photo by Becca McHaffie on Unsplash
Ease Rating: Medium
Carbon Emission Savings: 450 kg CO2e
5 - ~80% target progress (2,000+ kg CO2e)
4 - ~60% (1,000 - 2,000 kg CO2e)
3 - ~20% (500 - 1,000 kg CO2e)
2 - ~10% (100 - 500 kg CO2e)
1 - <10% (<100 kg CO2e)
0 - <1% (<30 kg CO2e)
No. of People Influenced Beyond You: tens of people
Amount of Savings: $$$
Impacts: 💳 Save Money
Categories: Stuff
Description
Money spent on brand-new clothes represents pollution from manufacturing, packaging, and shipping of these textiles. Will you ever be able to use only used clothing? Realistically not. But the more you incorporate second-hand clothing into your wardrobe, the better off our world will be. And you will have a lot more money to spend on the rest of your life as well!
Textile production causes 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, many of the new clothes made directly damage the environment. It takes 2,700 liters of water to make one cotton shirt. Rayon is made from cellulose — often from tree pulp, and causes major deforestation as well as pollution. Nylon is made from plastic, which can take a hundred plus years to disintegrate.
Tips
• Have fun with your shopping experience. Go second-hand shopping with your friends or have a clothing exchange party.• Many apps and websites let you shop online for local goods, including second-hand clothes and furniture.
• Second-hand clothes are often sturdier than the clothes you buy today and will last longer.
• You will still likely buy some new clothing. This is not about being perfect. This is about reducing pollution from new items when you do not need them.
• This action is a must if you have young children in your life. They will grow out of clothes before they wear through them. Plus you will save money at the right time.