With the rise in social media and fashion trends people are buying and throwing away clothes like never before. U.S Landfills estimate approximately 11.3 million tons (almost 25 billion pounds). This accounted for about 85% of all textiles.
As company’s attempt to reduce costs they cut corners. One of these being the material they use. Fabric like polyester is vastly cheaper to produce than things like cotton are in bulk. Polyester is essentially made of plastic which doesn’t decompose. Since the quality is so poor some of these items only last up to 10 washes before they either fall apart or get thrown out. As they end up in landfills or waterways, they break up into microplastics which aid in polluting our planet.
The idea that buying clothes from fast fashion websites or stores saving money is incorrect. Although you may be saving money in the short term if your clothes only last barely 10 washes then you’ll just find yourself in need of new clothes. Good quality clothes, although more expensive, should last years longer than clothing made with cheap fabrics.
Statistics from the BHF show that nearly six in ten (59%) say they are unable to sew confidently. About 16% say that if even something as simple as a button fell off their shirt that they would likely just go out and buy another piece instead of sewing it back on and some rely on parents or grandparents to sew tears closed. This can also be another reason why people are spending nearly $1500 a year on clothing items every single year.
With the rise of wanting to be ‘unique’ and different’ comes the rise of microtrends. Microtrends are trends but although normal trends last year’s micro trends can last a mere few weeks. This quick rise and fall of trends can make those who want to stay ‘trendy’ continually spend money on things that they will throw out in possibly days after fulfilling their need to buy and be with the trends. This also entices companies to pump out low quality items to make quick cash.
When we feed into microtrends and companies who use harmful materials we are feeding out planet full of microplastics. Instead of constantly buying clothes that’ll break away in mere weeks, buying clothes that you love and will last years can not only help the amount of clothes in landfills but can help save money in the long run.
