10 Tips to say YES to SUSTAINABILITY

Fashion industry is one of the most glamorous industries but also a huge source of pollution. The pertinent question is- ‘What can we do to reduce our contribution to the fashion pollution?’ Charity begins at home and we must take a good look at our closet and find ways to reduce the fashion pollution. Your closet can really make the planet more eco-friendly. You just need the intent. Here are 10 tips to say YES to SUSTAINABILITY. Go green this year.

10 Tips to say YES to SUSTAINABILITY

1. CLOTHING CARE

You can do two things here. Firstly, go for a detergent that is not too harsh or does not include synthetic chemicals because these can pose health hazards and harm the environment. Secondly, try and be self-sufficient with cleaning your clothes. Dry cleaners use a lot of chemicals which are not good for the environment. Choose clothes that can be easily washed at home.

2. REUSE CLOTHES
It’s our tendency to discard clothes we no longer wish to wear or the clothes that don’t fit us but the fact is that a lot of resources are wasted because of discarding our clothes irresponsibly. To cut down this waste we can try and give it to somebody who will wear it or donate it to a charitable organisation.

Tip: I give my clothes to friends, cousins, maid et al. Most importantly, I no longer buy things I’ll end up giving. I think before I buy and only buy things I’ll end up using for years.

3. GO VINTAGE

In some of my previous blogs, I have also mentioned that buying vintage or buying second hand clothes is something we can do to decrease our global footprints. Suggest you do it too.

4. DIY CLOTHES

In today’s modern era where you find hacks for literally everything, you can also use the DIY magic on your clothes. Get creative and crafty with just about anything from loose bits of jewellery to shoes or bridesmaid dresses or worn out sweaters. Just add your little spark and make the clothing new again.

For ex, I added some baubles to my scarf and made it new again. There was a hole in the scarf and I added the baubles to hide the hole and give a new pattern to the scarf. Smart thinking, you see!

5. CHECK YOUR SHOPPING BAGS

This may look like an irrelevant point but using biodegradable shopping bags will make a huge impact. Make sure you carry your own bag so that you do not have to hold the plastic bags and increase your global footprints.

6. GO LOCAL!

Buying local reduces environmental impact because such materials are generally locally sourced and most of them are handmade thus, reducing the air-pollution. This not only decreases the pollution but also brings joy and happiness to another person’s life. Go local for humanity sake!

7. FOCUS ON HANDMADE FASHION

Remember those times when our mothers used to just wear handloom sarees but it is so unfortunate that these days everybody vouches for the machine-made ones. This is a small change and may look insignificant, but it makes a huge impact on the economy and the environment. So next time when you want to purchase a saree, go for the handloom rather than a machine loom.

8. SAY NO TO FAST FASHION

“A beautiful top for just Rs.300? Let’s buy it,” is the thought that comes to everyone’s mind when you see such cheap stuff in the market but you know right then that there is a reason for the price to be low. The garments are made of low quality and do not last long. Not to forget that fast fashion chains still institute unethical labour practises which we as customers encourage by purchasing from these very next door fast fashion retailers. For once, say no to fast fashion.

9. DO YOUR RESEARCH

If you wish to purchase from a brand, make sure that you do enough research about the brand because when you buy a product you indirectly give your seal of approval on its labour and environmental practises.

10. ECO FRIENDLY BRANDS IN INDIA

If you are wondering where to find eco-friendly brands in India, let me give you a small list of some brands you can easily find.

No Nasties

Soul Space

Upasana

Eka

Nyalangan

Grassroot my Anita Dongre

The pot plant 

Ethicus (handwoven sustainable saree)

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Do u speak green

Try these brands and feel the fabric and the difference you make.

Hope this post helps you realise the importance of having a green closet. Say YES to SUSTAINABILITY with these 10 tips.

I will be posting another blog soon which will further deepen the relationship with sustainability. I strongly feel for the cause. Stay tuned for the same. Till then, let’s connect over Instagram and Facebook so that you don’t miss any new update.

Before you go, here’s how you can achieve #30Wears Test to Sustainability & why it matters.

Take care!

Tanya