Defining Sustainable Fashion

Hint: it’s more than just a buzzword.

What is sustainability?

We hear the word “sustainability” so often that many people feel it has lost its meaning. Sustainable design, sustainable development, sustainability revolution, sustainable future… What are we really talking about? A sustainable way of life is one where humans use natural resources in such a way as to fulfill our needs while ensuring that we leave the planet in the same, or preferably better, condition than we found it.

Sustainable fashion is simply the role that the fashion industry (manufacturers and consumers) plays in adding and detracting from the broader notion of the term. We would consider clothing, accessories, and “fashion” as broad human needs, so it’s time to think about how they impact the world around us. To what extent do they help or hinder our ability to leave the world as we found it… or even improve it?

In recent years, the popularity of the word “sustainability” is a double-edged sword. It is often casually used as a marketing gimmick with little substance, diluting its meaning. However, we see a steadily increasing number of brands and consumers making substantial efforts to prove their commitment to sustainability through progressively standardized best practices.

The change starts with consumers

Or, businesses and companies cannot create sustainable fashion on their own. They need consumers who care about the impact of the industry and demonstrate that by purchasing sustainably manufactured goods and consciously caring for the clothing they already own. You can find some guidelines on how to make your wardrobe more sustainable in “Beginner’s Guide to a Conscious Closet”, and you’ll find some strategies for donating, recycling, or disposing of unwanted clothing in “Clothing Retirement”.

Sometimes getting started is the hardest part, so if your first step is cleaning out your closet, SCRAP is here to help. Schedule a pickup, we’ll collect your clothes from your doorstep, and put them to their best, sustainable use for you.