Series 6 – How to Reduce Plastic Waste in Your Wardrobe: Sustainable Fashion Choices

Welcome to the 6^th post of series of reducing plastic waste in your everyday life.

Every single decision we make impacts not only us but our surroundings too. In this post, I will give you practical tips and tricks to reduce plastic waste in your wardrobe. I have been using these tips for the past 5+ years.

Reducing plastic waste is not only good for the planet but also a great way to embrace sustainable fashion. Many of us don’t realize how much plastic is hidden in our clothing, from synthetic fibers to packaging. Most of the clothing we buy has some synthetic material and it becomes very difficult to dispose of these items. Not only just the material of clothing, also the packaging results in a huge amount of plastic waste. In particular, online shopping has increased the amount of plastic packaging and increased the pollution by multiple folds.

I am only doing very little and still have a long way to go but I am trying my best and I can see the result of the changes I have made in my lifestyle. My plastic waste has reduced considerably when it comes to my wardrobe.

Reduce Plastic Waste in Your Wardrobe: Choose Natural Fibers

Once upon a time, I never used to notice the material of the clothes I used to buy and used to do a lot of shopping. After my second one was born, I was looking to buy new clothes and my elder one pointed out to the stack of clothes already occupying the space in my wardrobe. That’s when I realized that actually, I could reuse several of them by mixing and matching.

I decided to discuss this with my friends and together we realized that most of us had several such pieces which could be reused instead of buying new clothes.

It has been several years since I started buying clothes made from natural fibers like cotton, linen, or wool. These fabrics are biodegradable and don’t contribute to plastic waste in your wardrobe. Look for labels that specify organic or sustainably sourced materials.

Note: Pictures has been taken from Pact’s official website. This is one of my favorite brand for sustainable clothing needs.

Some of the brands that I generally buy natural fiber clothes are as below.

Reduce Plastic Waste in Your Wardrobe: Buy Second-Hand, Reuse and Repurpose

I try to make the most of my clothes by mixing and matching outfits. My wardrobe has all the basic colors like black, grey, brown, blue, pink, red, and white for both tops and bottoms. This way, I can wear the same black top with different brown skirts or pants, which helps me repurpose my clothes.

I love thrift stores and online marketplaces because they’re great for finding sustainable fashion. Buying second-hand cuts down on plastic waste and gives clothes a second chance instead of letting them end up in landfills. Sometimes, I do buy synthetic items just to keep them out of waste. I really try not to throw anything away until it’s completely worn out.

Kids grow so fast! I used to buy a lot for my older child, but by the time my younger one came along, I realized my mistakes. Now, most of her clothes come from friends and family. When she’s done with them, they’re still in great shape, so we pass them on to other kids. My friends and I, whose kids are about the same age, do our best not to buy new things, especially for items kids will quickly outgrow.

Most of my kids’ clothes come from hand-me-downs. Some family and friends used to be shy or even upset when I asked for used clothes, thinking it meant we couldn’t afford new ones. But after I explained my view and showed them how much waste there is, many understood and started supporting me. A few still don’t get it, but I don’t worry about their opinions; the environment is what matters to me.

I haven’t bought any new clothes in the last few months, and even before that, I mostly chose clothes made from natural fibers.

Reduce Plastic Waste in Your Wardrobe: Avoid Fast Fashion

I came across a photo of a beach in Kenta completely covered in discarded fast fashion clothes. It was such a shocking sight that it gave me nightmares. That’s when I knew I needed to learn more about cheap, fast fashion.

You can find more details about this at www.independent.co.uk.

My research showed me that a lot of these inexpensive clothes are made from cheap synthetic fibers, which create a massive amount of plastic waste. The clothes we often buy from online stores are usually made from these chemically treated materials, and they can even cause skin allergies or irritations.

You can find the same fast fashion in local shops, so it’s really up to us to choose differently. Instead of going for those cheap options, we should look for quality pieces made from natural materials. Yes, these might cost a bit more, but I promise it’s worth it.

High-quality natural fiber clothing has many benefits. It lasts longer and has a timeless look. Plus, it’s much easier to dispose of when we’re done with it because it won’t harm the environment. Making thoughtful choices about what we wear can make a big difference for our planet.

I support brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices.

Reduce Plastic Waste in Your Wardrobe: Care for Your Clothes

Taking good care of your clothes is a simple way to make them last longer and reduce the need to buy new ones. For example, I wash my clothes in cold water, or I follow the instructions on the label to keep them in good shape. When I can, I prefer to air dry them instead of using the dryer. This not only helps the clothes last longer but is also better for the environment.

If something gets damaged, I try to repair it instead of just throwing it away. A small tear or a loose button can often be fixed easily, and it saves the clothes from ending up in the trash.

I bought Brother’s Sewing Machine from Amazon and it has been worth investing around 100$.

When my kids outgrow their clothes and they’re still in good condition, I pass them down to other children so they can be used again. It feels great to know that these clothes are getting a second chance instead of being wasted. By taking care of our clothes and sharing them, we can all do our part to reduce waste and help the planet.

Reduce Plastic Waste in Your Wardrobe: Recycle Wisely

When you no longer need a piece of clothing, consider donating or recycling it instead of just tossing it away.

I make it a point to donate my clothes, but I also happily accept items from others. Before I use anything second-hand, I always wash it to make sure it’s clean and hygienic.

Many brands today have recycling programs where you can return your old clothes in exchange for discounts or new items. This not only helps cut down on plastic waste in your wardrobe but also supports the idea of circular fashion, where clothes are kept in use for as long as possible.

Most communities have some kind of recycling program, so it’s a good idea to check what options are available in your area. These programs can make it easy to give your clothes a second life rather than letting them sit in a closet or go to waste.

I make a conscious effort to avoid throwing clothes in the rubbish bin. When clothes end up there, they often end up in landfills or even worse, in our oceans and waterways, causing serious environmental harm. By donating, recycling, or participating in these programs, we can all play a part in reducing waste and protecting our planet.

Reduce Plastic Waste in Your Wardrobe: Be Mindful of Packaging

We don’t have any control over the kind of packing being used by online retailers and they also need to think of various factors like weather, cost, etc resulting in using cheap plastic. Almost all fast fashion stuff comes in plastic packaging, that’s another cause of ditching them. Packaging results in almost the same or even more plastic waste especially when bought online.

I generally avoid taking any packaging at all when I am shopping in physical stores. I carry my own folding bag with me and carry all the shopping stuff in it.

But even if I am shopping online, especially if you are buying brands that support sustainable eco-friendly practices, they generally tend to use minimal or biodegradable packaging. This small change can help reduce plastic waste in your wardrobe significantly.

Reduce Plastic Waste in Your Wardrobe: My Conclusion

All tips mentioned above are the ones most of us are already aware of but just don’t find time to pay more attention to it. I agree it takes time and effort to change a habit and it requires commitment.

My sincere advice is to pick just one habit like I started with buying very minimal clothes made of only natural fiber. I stuck to it for quite some time before moving on to other tricks like going for hand-me-down options.

Being consistent is the only way we can change and make our environment better. Consistency is the only winning factor in my life irrespective of the aspect of things I am trying to adopt or change. It’s not just limited to reducing plastic waste.

I wanted to make a habit of reading before going to bed, I started juts reading 1-2 pages every day but I was consistent in doing it daily. I will not skip even a day and now I have reached almost 30-40 pages a day, which is a huge achievement in my view.

You can have any goals, start small but be consistent. No effort is small if done regularly.

Reducing plastic waste in your wardrobe doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By making conscious choices, you can contribute to a healthier planet while looking stylish. Remember, every small step counts in the journey toward sustainable fashion!

You can check out my other posts here.

FAQ

I always feel more comfortable reading any post if I get answers to the most frequently asked questions also on the same page. That’s the reason I try my best to answer as many questions as possible in my posts. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers I found on Google, pls read on.

• What is the most effective way to reduce plastic waste?
  • The simplest way to reduce plastic waste is to avoid unnecessary and single-use plastics, support businesses who are reducing plastic waste and re-use existing plastic. Say no to disposable plastic cutlery, plastic straws and other single-use plastics. Avoid plastics that cannot be recycled if other alternatives exist.
• How can we reduce plastic waste in the bathroom?
  • 6 ways to reduce plastic waste in your bathroom
    • Reusable beauty products.
    • Brush up on your oral hygiene. Replace Plastic toothbrushes with wooden ones
    • Reconsider your deodorant.
    • Shop cruelty-free.
    • Reuse and repurpose your packaging.
    • Replace wipes with reusable cotton washcloths.
• What is in place to reduce plastic waste?
  • Maintain and repair plastics products, so that they won’t have to be thrown out and replaced as frequently. Buy used plastic items to reduce plastic waste. Instead of discarding unwanted plastic items that are still in good shape, try selling or donating them, so others can reuse them.
• How can we reduce plastic waste in the kitchen?
  • Choose Reusable Products.
  • Choose Sustainable Packaging.
  • Compost Food Waste.
  • Buy in Bulk.
• How to reduce plastic use at home?
  • Say NO to cellophane-wrapped products.
  • Store your leftovers with reusable silicone covers instead of cling wrap.
  • Avoid all kinds of single-use containers.
  • Reuse your glass jars after removing the labels.
• What are the three most suitable ways of managing plastic waste?
  • Replace single-use plastic containers with reusable containers. 
  • Use compostable packaging: Explore biodegradable or compostable packaging materials to divert waste from landfills.
  • Use recyclable materials: Use recyclable materials with clear labeling and consumer education on proper disposal.
• How to reuse plastic at home?
  • Reuse your plastic bottles – use them as a watering can for your plants or refill them with a new purpose, with your favorite shampoo perhaps. For more fun, transform them into bird feeders.
• What are examples of reducing plastic waste?
  • What are examples of “reduce?” Examples of reduction include canceling unwanted magazine subscriptions and eating less energy-intensive food. Turning off the water during teeth brushing rather than leaving it running for the full two minutes is another example of reduction.
• How can households reduce plastic waste?
  • Here are some ways to reduce plastic waste and to help you get started:
    • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
    • Say No to Single-Use Plastics.
    • Have Mindful Shopping Habits. But only what is absolutely necessary.
    • Choose Eco-Friendly Products.
    • Compost Organic Waste.
• How to stop using plastic bags?
  • Reduce your use of disposable shopping bags by using a reusable bag or container when shopping. Reuse old plastic bags for multiple shopping trips. Re-purpose plastic bags as trash liners or pet waste bags.
• How can we reduce plastic waste at home essay?
  • We must use alternatives like cloth bags and paper bags instead of plastic bags. If we are purchasing plastic, we must reuse it. We must avoid drinking bottled water which contributes largely to plastic pollution. The government must put a plastic ban on the use of plastic.
• What is the main cause of plastic waste?
  • Much of the world’s plastic pollution is generated by single-use products such as bottles, caps, cigarettes, shopping bags, cups, and straws. Pollution sources are mainly land-based, coming from urban and stormwater runoff, littering, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction, and agriculture.

What I have written is only based on what I am doing in my daily life. There is so much more for me to learn and make the earth a better place. But I don’t want to go to extreme lengths and make everyone’s life uncomfortable so I do things that are sustainable and acceptable by almost everyone around me. This is my way of making the earth better. Also because the things I do, don’t ask anyone to make huge lifestyle changes, I could get several of my friends and extended family members onboard on my sustainable journey.

I am sure several people are doing much better than me, so if you happen to be one of them, please feel free to write your sustainable living practices in the comments section. I am sure not only me but others would also love to learn new things.

I hope that at least some of you will try to make changes in your lifestyle and will contribute towards making our environment plastic-free.