fbpx
1208 Rose Creek Dr, Woodstock, GA office@gslutheran.org +1 770-924-7286

Sustainable Clothing and Shopping

assorted clothes

CARING FOR CREATION THRU SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING

Most of us have a tendency to buy what is being termed as “fast fashion” which refers to today’s trendy clothing that is intentionally designed to be consumed quickly and sold at low prices. We may wear them a few times and then throw them out for more trendier, inexpensive pieces. The “fast fashion” cycle may deplete the Earth’s natural resources and may result in an overwhelming amount of waste, being far from sustainable. When shopping, look for Organic certifications on labels and fabrics made from recycled fibers or repurposed fabric. When able, buy second-hand clothing, prioritizing durable and high[1]quality clothing that you can envision yourself wearing for a long time. Check labels while shopping for this type of clothing. Natural products such as hemp, linen, cotton, and silk all originate from plant sources and are biodegradable and can compost cleanly back into the soil unlike synthetic fibers that sit in the landfills leaching chemicals and fumes. Take good care of your clothing. Use cold water for washing and hang to dry. Mend holes and spot clean, make simple alterations – all this helps to keep clothing out of landfills longer. There are many brands of sustainable clothing available online. Two brands being sold locally are ECO BEACH (Kohl’s) and Repreve – jeans shorts made of recycled denim and twill (TJ Maxx). Watch Sheep-Buzz for more facts and tips on how to care for creation through sustainable clothing.

CARING FOR CREATION AND SHOPPING SUSTAINABLY The fashion industry produces 100 billion garments annually—for 7 billion people on earth. We send approximately 40 million tons of textiles to landfills or to be incinerated every year. 60% of all clothing is made of synthetic fibers such as polyester, which is an oil derivative containing high levels of microplastics. Washing synthetic clothing releases microplastics and contributes to 35% of all ocean microplastic pollution. As you shop, please take care to check clothing labels. There are many items available these days that are made from repurposed materials, recycled materials (specifically denim) or plastics. Items of this type can be found at several local merchants and their labels often indicate that the item is an Ethical Brand which ensures that (1) the company’s workers are treated fairly across the supply chain (2) the company focus on the reduction of carbon emissions that impact our waterways and (3) the practice of safe disposal of chemicals. Labels also show what materials were used as well as the percentage used of either fabric or plastic. (Much information regarding ethical branding can be found on the internet before shopping. ) While shopping, don’t forget to stop at thrift shops to consider their gently used items and donate your gently used items while you are there 😊We can all do our part in hoping for a more sustainable future in fashion.