Ecochurch : Plastic Fashion

Thank you for taking part in our waste plastic survey. The next environmental focus is fast and cheap clothing. What it’s made from, how long it lasts and what happens to it after we have finished with it.
Many of our clothes and shoes are made from materials which are oil based. This could be polyester or synthetic leather which are usually made from oil. The fashion industry has a bigger carbon footprint than the aviation industry’s but also creates chemical and plastic pollution both of which end up in our oceans. Water and fossil fuels are used and toxins and greenhouse gases and textile waste are made. Not to mention the impact of packaging and transport. Less than 1% of clothing is recycled, so often ends up in landfill where it will last for years.
Fast fashion frequently relies on low paid workers and modern slavery often working in hazardous conditions abroad leading to unethical brands. However, it is hard for the consumer to trace all this.
How can we be more ethical and environmentally aware
consumers?

• Buy second hand
• Look for quality that lasts
• Look for ethical and sustainable brands
• Consider the impact on the environment of the item we want
• If it’s cheap to you then someone else is paying for it. But who and where?