Since high school, I have tried to be more sustainable in as many ways as I can. I am not even remotely close to being zero waste, but as a whole, I want to reduce my carbon footprint. Sustainability should not be inconvenient, and although there is no perfect way to be sustainable, we can do better for the environment and take steps in the right direction.
1. B Corporation companies
Finding out if companies are B Corporation is the easiest way to be a sustainable shopper. According to the B Corporation website, “Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.” Their reports are very easy to understand and it is an efficient way to find out if companies are ethical in what they are doing. A lot of companies have recently started advertising the fact that they are B Corporation right on the packaging. Some of my favorite and most highly rated B Corporations include Patagonia, Athleta, and Allbirds.
2. Second-hand
If you love shopping, a really easy way to be sustainable is to buy second-hand. Every year millions of clothing items end up in landfills. A very easy solution to that problem is to purchase second-hand instead of purchasing completely brand new clothing. You can buy vintage, thrift clothing, or even consign online. For more information on thrift stores around Atlanta, check out my previous article on the subject!
3. Reuse
Social media has perpetuated the idea that you can only wear an outfit one time. I think that is absolute BS because clothes are meant to be re-worn! I love going back through my closet and figuring out how I can reinvent a clothing item. I love going into my parents’ and brother’s closets and finding out how I use their clothing to make a cool outfit. Shopping from your family and friends’ closets is a great way to reuse clothing while still finding something “new” to wear. Before going out and buying a new item, make sure to try reinventing a piece you already have.
4. Invest in the staples
Staples are pieces that you always wear, no matter the season or trend. These items include jeans, white shirts, a little black dress, etc. Spend the money and invest in pieces that you wear all the time and are always reaching for. Buying higher quality items may be more expensive, but it will allow you to keep those items for a very long time and will reduce clothing waste.
5. Boycott fast fashion
We all know how horrible fast fashion is for the environment, and the best way to stop companies that maintain these trends is by boycotting. Research the brands that you shop from and see if those practices are ethical and sustainable. I have stopped shopping from Zara, Forever 21 and H&M for about four years now and even convinced some of my friends to reconsider their shopping habits. People also think that fast fashion is the cheapest way to buy clothes, but you can buy second-hand or even items on sale from other companies. After all, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
There are many other ways to be a more sustainable shopper, but what we need to keep in mind is that it takes a lot of practice. Take one tip at a time and try to implement it into your life and see how that feels. Take baby steps, and make your fashion more sustainable!