In this weeks blog post we will explore something a little different, one of the main decarbonisation efforts and building blocks that makes EC Surfwear. We will be delving into the transformative power of second-hand/vintage clothing, analysing how it contributes to a greener future and why it makes sound business sense in further trajectory.
The fashion industry currently stands at a crossroads in a society grappling with the urgent need to reduce green house gas emissions. It is responsible for about 10% of the global greenhouse gas emissions, which is more emissions than the shipping and aviation industries combined (UN Climate Change, 2021).
As one of the most polluting sectors globally, it's essential for us to consider the benefits of adopting more sustainable practices that reduces the carbon footprint. Embracing the concept of second hand and vintage clothing as a business model not only offers unique style opportunities for it's consumers but also brings significant decarbonisation advantages.
Extending the Lifecyle of Garments
Extending the lifecycle of clothing is one of the primary advantages of a vintage/secondhand clothing business in terms of decarbonisation. A secondhand/vintage clothing business promotes reuse and repurposing of old clothing rather than adding to the rapid fast fashion cycle, where apparel is swiftly discarded. By giving these items another chance, you aid in lowering the demand for the manufacturing of new clothing. As a result, the manufacturing process's carbon emissions are decreased along with energy use, water use, and chemical contaminants.
Reducing Textile Waste
Tonnes of garments wind up in landfills each year as a result of the immense amount of textile waste the fashion industry produces. You actively help to reduce this waste by running a vintage or used clothing business. When buyers opt to buy used goods rather than newly manufactured ones, they keep these garments out of the textile waste stream. Due to the damaging greenhouse gas emissions that decomposing textiles in landfills cause, this lessens the environmental impact of textile waste. You play a crucial part in reducing the waste problem caused by the fashion industry by keeping clothes in use and encouraging resale and reuse of clothing.
Minimising Energy and Resource Consumption:
Numerous resources and energy are used in the manufacture of new garments. The carbon footprint of manufacturing new clothing is significant and includes everything from raw material cultivation to manufacturing procedures and transportation. A vintage or used clothing store, on the other hand, uses fewer resources and energy. You can avoid the requirement for energy intensive production processes by concentrating on already made clothing. Fabric production, raw material extraction, and dyeing procedures are not required. Furthermore, acquiring and distributing used clothes typically has a lower transportation footprint than creating and shipping new apparel. This lessened reliance on resources and energy lowers carbon emissions and protects priceless natural resources.
When it comes to decarbonisation, a vintage/secondhand clothing business offers several enticing advantages. These companies contribute to a more ecologically friendly fashion sector by increasing the lifespan of clothing, decreasing textile waste, and minimising energy and resource usage. Adopting the circular economy model and encouraging the reuse and repurposing of clothing not only helps tackle the serious problems caused by textile waste and the wasteful consumption of resources, but also lowers carbon emissions.
References:
United Nations (2018). UN Helps Fashion Industry Shift to Low Carbon | UNFCCC. [online] Unfccc.int. Available at: https://unfccc.int/news/un-helps-fashion-industry-shift-to-low-carbon.
Assoune, A. (2020). Environmental Benefits Of Buying Second Hand Clothing. [online] Panaprium. Available at: https://www.panaprium.com/blogs/i/environmental-benefits-of-buying-second-hand-clothing.
Maiti, R. (2022). Fast Fashion and Its Environmental Impact. [online] Earth.org. Available at: https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/.
Gorman, M. (2021). ‘Alarming’ waste sees 80 per cent of unwanted clothes, textiles sent to landfill. [online] www.abc.net.au. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-11/textile-waste-consumption-under-estimated/100184578.
Hill, M. (2021). The Five R’s of Fashion: Reduce, Rewear, Recycle, Repair, Resell. [online] Good On You. Available at: https://goodonyou.eco/5rs-of-fashion/.
DhanaTribe. (n.d.). What Energy Consumption Looks Like for the Fashion Industry. [online] Available at: https://www.dhanatribe.com/the-true-cost/energy.
Common Objective (2018). What Are Our Clothes Made From? [online] Common Objective. Available at: https://www.commonobjective.co/article/what-are-our-clothes-made-from.
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