We can no longer deny that there is an awful lot wrong with the clothing industry. The rise of fast fashion and cheap clothing brands has led us to over consume and the quality of clothing is going down. As a result, we are throwing away more clothing, of which only a fraction ends up being recycled. Most of it ends up in a landfill or is burned. The mass production, transportation, short life span and disposal of clothing leads to enormous amounts of CO2 emissions, the plastic soup and pollution of soil and water. So today's clothing industry has a big impact on the environment! And we haven't even mentioned the working conditions in developing countries where our clothes are produced.
So choose sustainable clothing that is produced responsibly, with respect for people, animals and the environment.
Fortunately, more and more people are aware of the malpractices in the clothing industry and more consumers and producers are opting for sustainable fashion. There’s an emergence of second-hand clothing stores that neatly sort and repair clothes for a second life, you can lease designer dresses to make an impression at a wedding, and there’s a rise in sustainable brands that consciously think about the materials they use and the conditions under which they are produced.
If you want to buy sustainable clothing please consider the materials that are used. For example, organic cotton has a smaller impact on the environment than regular cotton, without the use of pesticides and chemicals. Organic cotton also requires less water to be used for production. When buying a new garment, look for the certification for organic cotton, of which the best known is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), an internationally recognised certification body that imposes strict requirements on the environment, working conditions and animal welfare. All the sustainable clothing brands on our website use certified organic cotton.
Another example of a sustainable standard you can look for is B Corp. B Corp certified companies prioritize social and sustainable business practices. B Corp companies must score well on the pillars: governance, environment, workers, customers and community.
Regardless of the materials used, some brands are starting a movement and are creating awareness around a particular problem, like the growing plastic soup. Take the socks on our website for example, they are made from old fishing nets from the sea, which they upcycle into nylon yarn. There are many brands like this that make a positive contribution to our society. If you want to buy sustainable clothing, make sure respect for people, animals and the environment are central to the brand’s business operations.
Do you want to make your closet more sustainable? At Zo Zero you will find reusable period underwear from ImseVimse and sustainable socks from Healthy Seas Socks.
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