Fashion's Problematic Footprint

Buying used makes a real impact on the planet. "There has been a 400 percent increase in the consumption of clothing over the past 20 years, according to data provided by The RealReal." (source: Vogue).

According to The RealReal website, "The fashion industry is one of the world’s top polluting industries at a time when climate change is threatening the planet." Here are some shocking statistics they provide:

95% of trashed clothing could be re-worn, recylced, or re-used.

source: Greenpeace

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1 garbage truck-worth of textiles is landfilled or burned every second.

source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation

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200 years is how long it takes a polyester dress to decompose.

source: Fashion Revolution

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Over 50% of fast fashion is disposed of in less than one year.

source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation

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10% of the world's total carbon footprint is contributed by fashion, more than aviation's 2%.

source: United Nations Climate Change and Air Transport Action Group

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Click here for more information on the fashion industry's environmental impact. From this article:

"The primary driver for all of this [harm to the planet], unfortunately, is demand for low cost and, essentially, disposable clothing. So to tackle the problem at its source, the slow fashion movement and campaigns like Fashion4Climate aim to encourage people to buy [used or new] quality and durable clothing that is produced in an environmentally sustainable manner. This includes buying environmentally sustainable fabrics like linen, hemp, silk, ramie, organic cotton and sustainable wool or recycled fabrics. Fashion ecolabels also aim to inform consumers about where a garment comes from and how it was produced."

Buy used. Live sustainably.

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"Decomposing textiles emit toxins that are released into the air and water and are polluting our environment. The bigger our landfills, the higher the levels of pollution." (source)