Shopping sustainably is one of the many important ways for you to make a difference in the environment. The fashion industry is the most polluting industry in the world following the oil industry. This is due to the support of fast fashion, the mass production of cheap clothing. These companies have no consideration for how their extreme use of materials, resources, and water negatively impacts the environment. Their actions affect you and your family. The air is being polluted, water runoff is being contaminated, and natural resources are steadily being depleted. These issues caused by the fashion industry can be significantly reduced with the support of shopping sustainably.

The goal of sustainable brands is to minimize waste throughout the supply chain through recycling while taking into account environmental, social, and economical implications. Sustainable brands produce clothes through practices that reduce water and power consumption by using natural energy, environmentally friendly materials, and avoiding the use of harmful chemicals such as carcinogens and toxins used in fabric. Sustainable clothing is made to last and eliminates the “throw-away” mentality. Fast fashion brands mass produce clothing made from cheap materials so you continue to spend your money after the poor quality garments rip or tear. This increases your waste and drains your hard-earned money when it can be used elsewhere. 

Shopping sustainably means you can either support a sustainable brand, such as Levis or Reformation, or shop second hand. There is a stigma that sustainable brands are too expensive, but the higher price that you’re paying is for a garment that will last you years not months. If you don’t want to support fast fashion but want to save money there are many other solutions. You can go thrift shopping at a local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or our local Care and Share in Souderton where you can buy second-hand clothes for half the price. For quick and easy online sustainable shopping try an online thrifting app like Depop, Poshmark, or ThredUp, all apps that I personally use myself. I encourage you to think about your impact and the clothing brands that you support because you can make a difference.