Category: Green Lifestyle

It’s Time For Your Home To Go Green

Do you ever just sit and think, ‘I need to do a little bit more for this planet!’? No? Well you should do. This planet is going to be the home of your grandchildren, and their grandchildren… until one day there will be no planet for them to live on. We have so much time on our hands to make a difference, yet we do believe because of how severe the damage is that we’ve done to this world, that people are now starting to believe that nothing can be done to help this world. But there can, and is so much to be done for this world, and a lot of it starts with the difference you can make inside your home. We really do waste a lot of energy, and do a lot of damage to this world without even realising, just by the simply daily tasks we do around the home. Not only that, but the way your home is structured might also be causing a few problems that you might never have thought about before. So, if you’re determined to do a little bit more for this world, and you know you want to go green, here’s how you can do it within your home!

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Parts Of Your Home To Change

If you have a new build home, then we’re sorry to say that this section might not apply to you as much. By new build, we’re classing that as any home that has been built within the last three years. Any older, and there are some changes that you can make. The first change is with your windows, and if you haven’t had them done for a while, now is definitely the time. Without even realising it, your windows are the worst conductor of heat, and all of that lovely warm air you’ve got in your home is slowly seeping out, making it harder for you to keep your home warm, therefore you’re using a lot more energy! You can get new windows throughout your home, and although it might cost you a dime or two, you should actually see your energy bills going down. Not only that,  but at the same time as doing your bit for your planet, you’re increasing the value of your home, and making it much nicer to look at!

Wasting/Saving Energy
This is where so many of you will be going wrong, because sometimes it’s just hard to know when you’re wasting energy. Well, if you’re someone who sits through the day with lights on around the home, you’re wasting energy. If you always leave windows open whilst the heating is on, you’re wasting energy. If you have the TV on through the night because it helps you sleep, you’re wasting energy. All of these issues have simple solutions. Shutting windows, setting a timer on the TV, and just being more conscious of what you#vegot on in your home, and whether you actually need it. There’s always ways to save energy, you just have to be more proactive when doing so!

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Things You Can Implement To Help Save The Planet

Unfortunately, the planet has got to the point where it needs saving, this means that we all need to take steps to decrease certain things in our lives and get rid of habits we have too. This will help to reduce the strain on the planets Ozone layer and resources. There are a few things you can do that are simple and others that are drastic and take a bit of funding, however they’re worthwhile doing if they mean saving and restoring the planet.

Want to make changes and help save the planet? Below are some tips and ideas to get you started!

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Recycle

This is something that has been implemented in most places to help people go green but it isn’t compulsory everywhere. Recycling basically means separating certain materials into recyclables and landfill waste. This allows us to recycle the waste that can be recycled and reuseed, most of which is not biodegradable, which then stops us throwing non-biodegradable materials into landfill which ends up in our oceans and on land killing our animals, destroying vegetation, and polluting out oceans. The main things you can recycle is paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and tins. Separating these things out and recycling them will help to reduce landfill usage and stop them potentially ending up in our oceans and killing our planet further. It might take a few minutes to do, but it’s worth taking the time.

Upgrade to elemental power

The use of gas and electric to power our homes and businesses is taking its toll on the planet. The resources used to power our homes and businesses are killing the planet and the sad thing is that we don’t really need to use them as much anymore, as we have managed to create ways to harness the elements and use them to create power such as wind farms and solar panels. However, many people are still using these damaging sources of power. Wind farms are an alternative option – they do what it say on the tin – that use wind power to turn the turbine and push power through a generator which will collect energy and put it into the power grid.

Wind farms are not ideal to have in your back garden, however solar panels are an excellent alternative. They use the UV from the sun to create power, and what is amazing is that even on cloudy days, some UV rays still come through and create power. The great thing about solar panels is that any energy that you don’t use, you can sell back to the grid – you can actually make money while also saving the planet and reducing the use of the resources. These can be fitted directly on to your roof. However, you should properly research the process further before going ahead with it, to make sure you get the most out of it. There are lots of sites that can help you to learn more about this, such as www.earthyb.com, for instance. The key is to know exactly what you are getting, before you make a purchase.

Making changes in life is never easy, especially when there can be a financial cost involved, which can deter you from choosing to make those changes in the first place. However, if doing so will give the planet a better chance of remaining ‘healthy’, then they’re worthwhile considering.

How Your Love Of Sushi Affects The Planet

Even though 32% of Americans have never tried sushi, the majority of the country has such as great love for the little rolls of happiness that they have made the Japanese-inspired specialty a staple of their weekly meal. If you love fish, it’s impossible not to melt of satisfaction the first time you try a nigiri – usually a prawn or raw fish on top of sushi rice – or a salmon maki. If you’re already salivating and checking on Google Maps where the closest sushi restaurant is, you need to reconsider your unhealthy obsession for sushi. Indeed, even though nutritionists agree that traditional sushi dishes that are made with quality ingredients are a healthy meal in your diet, eating sushi has proven increasingly unhealthy for the planet. In other words, it’s time to pack the chopsticks and the wasabi cream away; here’s how every day millions of Americans are putting the environment at risk:

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Why you need to eat less sushi

We’re far away from the small fishing communities of the past

The ocean’s (and river’s) supplies are becoming scarce, and specific fish populations are profoundly affected by a pescetarian diet. While wild-caught fish is the natural way fishing villages developed in the past – you can have a glimpse of the scale of real fishing villages when you visit coastal places such as Copenhagen, which was founded by fishing Vikings. In those communities, fishing was a natural and necessary approach. However, the consumption of fish has exploded to the point where you can find a variety of products in modern towns. Even someone who lives away from the sea can find a box of sushi in the shops. Needless to say, the constant demand for products that are not local to mass produce sushi boxes is affecting fish sustainability. If you need to indulge in a few rolls, make sure at least to grab a box that claims to use farming fish. Indeed, the farming salmon benefits are evident. Not only does the farming initiative protects the species but it also provides a valuable alternative for fish lovers.

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Vegetarian sushi, an alternative?

You can’t continue to buy your sushi box

The rise of sushi popularity comes from the fact that it is one of the healthiest takeaway food you can find around. As a result, busy Millennials can enjoy a quick meal without worrying about their health. However, your favorite sushi comes in plastic packaging. For many, that little box could end up floating in the oceans forever, which is a serious concern for the environment – unfortunately most takeaway plastic waste finds its way into our waterways. One sushi today, several seabirds killed as they swallow your box tomorrow. Or seals injured as the plastic cut into their flesh, if you prefer a different image. Ultimately, your sushi box is killing the wildlife.

Sushi purists are law-breakers too

Additionally, enthusiastic pescetarians among sushi lovers insist that you shouldn’t eat sushi that isn’t prepared with wild fish. The consequences of it, however, can be disastrous, as endangered species are targeted by fishers. Is wild fish sushi sustainable? The answer is no. Your favorite quick meal is killing the Pacific bluefin.

Is it time to bring your love affair with sushi to an end? Maybe the solution is to be mindful of what you eat, its origin and how it will continue to affect the environment. Ultimately, the question is: Is your maki roll worth killing for?

Ready to Go Green? Here are the Areas of Your Home to Tackle

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If you are ready for a lifestyle change, would like to reduce your environmental impact, or your carbon footprint, maybe do something for the environment, there are plenty of ways you can get started on a budget. There are various areas of your home where you might be wasting resources, polluting the environment, or using things that are hard to recycle. Below you will find a few tips on how to make small green changes make a difference long term for you and the future generations.

Insulation

We lose a lot of heat and cold air if our home is not well insulated. You will need to check your walls for cavities, cracks, and gaps, and make sure that the structural issues are addressed before you can tackle the rest of the house. Chances are that if you live in an older house, your insulation is not as efficient as it could be. You can invest in secondary insulation boards to save money on your heating and stop heating the street.

Loft

Loft

Image via Wikimedia Commons

If you are ready to start a green lifestyle, it is also important that you tackle the area where you lose the most heat; your loft. You can get a thick insulation layer installed for free, if you successfully apply for homeowner grants and get government funding. You can insulate the roof and the loft space, as well. This will make it cheaper and easier to keep the warmth in your home and make your house more sustainable.

Windows and Doors

In case you still have single pane windows, it might be time to modernize your home. While changing them will require a professional to install and fit the new units, the latest designs last for decades. It might even be worth to look into installment loans no credit check to finance your investment. After all, new and more efficient windows will increase the value of your home for many years to come, so your investment will pay off.

Heating

An inefficient HVAC system can burn a hole in your pocket and increase the carbon footprint of your home as well. Make sure that you deal with this issue first. You might get solar heating or a heat pump that will use much less energy than traditional furnaces. Depending on your climate and the size of your home, you can also power your heating with natural gas. Talk to an HVAC installation expert to get an overview of the different green heating options and the costs associated with them.

Natural Light

The more natural light you allow to enter your home the better you will feel and the less you will need to spend on electricity. You might also want to invest in solar powered lamps in the house, which can charge during the day and light up your room at night without having to use non-renewable energy. You can open up your space, get rid of the dark and depressing corridors, install roof lighting, or glass bricks over the door.

Waste Management

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Image via Flickr

One of the things we need to teach our kids today is the impact our plastic use has on the living environment. If you have a recycling service at your home or nearby, make sure that you collect and separate the different types of waste so everything can be recycled that is suitable for being reused. On the other hand, you might want to create a compost bin as well, so you can avoid using artificial and synthetic fertilizers in your garden and start growing your organic vegetables.

Renewable Energy

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Image via Wikimedia Commons

There are plenty of ways of installing devices that will create renewable energy for your home. You can get solar panels installed on your roof, provided that the structure of your home can support the weight. It is always better to talk to an expert to find out more about the different options. You might even set up a small wind turbine at the bottom of your garden, and generate some electricity that way. You will, however, need to make sure that you are not damaging the environment and endangering nesting birds in the area.

Energy Saving Features

If you want to keep an eye on the energy use of your home every day. This means that you have to avoid wasting it whenever you can. A smart thermostat will make sure that you always have the right temperature and are using your heating and air conditioning system in the most efficient way, and you are not heating an empty home. Some of your devices can even be controlled through a smart app, so if you have to do overtime at the office you can change the time when your heating is turned on.

Sustainable Materials

When renovating your home, it is important that you focus on long term. Avoid materials that are hard to recycle and are likely to end up in the landfill sites or toxic waste management systems. You might be better off buying a real goose feather blanket instead of one that is filled with synthetic materials that will be hard to reuse. Likewise, when choosing your furniture and your kitchen units, try to focus on natural materials, and upcycle instead of buying cheap.

Toxic Free Cleaning

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Image via Stair Parts USA

We flush down too many chemicals and toxins the drain, and these all end up in the sewage system. Unfortunately, water treatment plants are not able to get rid of all chemicals, and we will end up meeting them again, including medication flushed down the toilet. You can live a greener and healthier life if you switch to toxic and chemical free, natural cleaning products. Bicarbonate soda, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar leave your bathroom, kitchen and just as shiny as the top brand cleaning products.

Starting with a green lifestyle should not mean that you have to make huge drastic changes. Focus on one area of your home at a time, and you will be motivated to go on and improve your life while reducing your carbon footprint.

Wholesome Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Save Money

You are becoming more and more well informed on the current state of the planet Earth and some of the statistics are quite shocking. You are always looking for new ways to reduce

your impact on the environment and improve your day to day sustainability. Instead of using copious amounts of plastic and heading to the grocery store for every little food item you need, you want to start making a change. You are lucky enough to have plenty of outdoor space to try out new ideas and grow your own produce, so here are a couple of ideas to get you started on the journey to reducing your carbon footprint.

Get Creative With Crops

Having plenty of space outdoors to work with might be the first place for you to start when you’re looking to save money. Growing your own crops can not only be healthier, but it will also have huge benefits to the environment. If you want to know how to grow your own crops and get the most out of your home grown produce click here for more information on how to take it one step further. Becoming a local supplier for grain might soon be a possibility if you follow the correct avenues.

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Cut Food Waste

 

Another way you can help cut your carbon footprint is by reducing the amount of food waste you produce on a daily basis. If you live on your own, then you will realise that cooking for one is a tricky task. There are always leftovers and you don’t always know what to do with so much food. Try cooking in batches and freezing dishes for a later date; if you invest in plenty of reusable Tupperware you will always have containers to store your leftovers, so they don’t get thrown straight into the bin.

Go Plastic Free

It is devastating to see the effects that we are having on our beautiful oceans at the moment. Sea creatures are dying due to the overuse of plastic and it is our job to put a stop to it. Stop buying plastic bottled water and invest in a fridge filter jug and a reusable bottle. You can take it out with you everywhere you go and you won’t have to worry about that plastic bottle being thrown into the ocean.

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Be Smart With Energy

Making your home more energy efficient should be right at the top of your priority list. From solar panels to energy efficient light bulbs try and do everything in your power to reduce your carbon footprint and save a lot of money on your monthly bills.

Right now you are willing to try almost anything to help out our beautiful planet. You want to educate people on more sustainable ways to live; whether you are growing your own grain to sell or teaching people how to go plastic free, you can make a difference. Every little helps when it comes to making the world a better place and these ideas are guaranteed to guide you along the right path.

 

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Prose

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Customized hair care

Personalized hair care products, including a hair mask, shampoo and conditioner. Yes please!

Prose is a hair care company that works with YOU to create products suited to your hair. Prose assigns the customer to a professional stylist to collaborate on the hair products that suit your particular hair style, how amazing is this?!

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Natural ingredients

I think the concept of this company is amazing. I love that they use natural ingredients that are either organic or eco certificated.  All made from sustainable resources. Plus the products are made fresh in New York City.

Using natural ingredients is so important for numerous reasons. It benefits the environment and our own health. It is so important to be aware of what we using on our bodies.

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How it works

Step one:

The consultation. This can be done either online or by booking in with a stylist located close to you. You will discuss your type of hair and determine the factors that may be harming your hair, such as the local climate, your diet, your exercise habits and styling habits.

Step two:

Preferences: Here you can discuss if you have a favorite fragrances or if you would rather no fragrance. You can also request particular ingredients, I opted to use all vegan ingredients for my products. Also, if you require more volume or shine ect

Step three:

Production: The lab will produce your hair products with fresh and natural ingredients accommodating your preferences.

Step four:

Your new customized hair products are delivered to your door. The box also contains a copy of your consultation. Listing what my hair needs, my hair goals, the routine and the ingredients in each product.

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Results

I am really impressed. The consultation process was smooth and I learnt a lot about what my hair needs and I can’t wait to try and reach my hair goals. I love the use of natural ingredients. The products smell amazing, feel great to apply and my hair already feels smoother with more volume.

For more information click here

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Wear Pact

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Sustainable fashion

Having a minimal carbon footprint is so important to me. I try to limit my environmental impact where ever and when ever possible. I choose to favor “slow’ fashion over ‘fast fashion”. Fast fashion is the second biggest industry polluter, behind the oil industry! In recent years people are becoming more aware of the drastic impact fast fashion is having on the environment, and companies have been making the move to the eco friendly movement.  A movement that is trying to limit fashions negative impact on our planet.

So what is ‘slow fashion’? Slow fashion represents our social responsibility and limits our carbon footprint. By choosing quality over quantity. By being clean, using organic and natural resources, and not using harmful toxins and dyes. By being fair, providing fair working conditions of employees and providing workers with decent pay.

So how do I include sustainable fashion into my lifestyle?

  1. I reuse and recycle my clothing. I never put my clothing into landfill. If I no longer need a certain piece of clothing I will donate it to charity. If the clothing item is not in a decent condition I will recycle this piece.
  2. Thrift stores. I will usually buy my clothes from a second hand/ thrift stores.And, as we have so many decent thrift stores in NYC it is so easy to stay “fashionable”.
  3. For new items of clothing, I will source sustainable and ethical brands.
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Wearing Pact relaxed fitted tee and eco-blend wrap cardigan 

 Pact

I was so happy to discover Pact, a sustainable clothing company. With their goal “to create the comfiest clothes in the world without destroying the earth, or harming people” I knew I had found a great company with similar values to my own. Pact use organic cotton, this is so important as organic cotton uses 95% less water than regular cotton to manufacture. Their clothes are made with sustainable ingredients/ fibers, so don’t contain any toxins of pesticides! Pact have sourced fair trade certified factories as they care for the well being of their employees.

I was sent three pieces of clothing to review.

  1. Black relaxed fit tee
  2. Black lightweight eco-blend wrap cardigan
  3. Black wrap dress

I am so impressed with the quality of all of these items. The material feels so amazing. The clothing certainly does live up to  the companies motto of “clothes that don’t just make you feel, you can feel good wearing them”. I wore the tee shirt and cardigan together for a weekend trip away. I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so I can start wearing the gorgeous wrap dress.

Pact is a clothing brand that I can get behind, their clothes are of great quality and I love their values, check out their online store here Pact

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SKINMODERNE++

 

Skin Moderne++ review

Natural skin care is extrmemly important to me, what we put on our skin affects our health and overall appearance. So I am always on the look out for a skin care regime that uses natural and organic ingredients. I was thrilled to be given a set of the “elements’ products from Skin Moderne++ check out   Their website  for more information about their ingredients, their awesome use of  technology and where to buy these from.

Their products are all nutrient dense organic superfoods, making it the perfect natural skincare regime. Skin Moderne++ provides a minimalist approach to skin wellness. Within days of trying the products, I  already found that their use of  natural and raw ingredients has improved the youthfulness and overall health of my skin. These products are clean and free from harmful chemicals such as parabens and sulfates, which is so important. Other highlights include the technology which is cruelty free and innovative.

From the set, my two favorite products were the;

  • Red Algae, which instantly smooths any wrinkles which the combination of red algae and the amino acid Gamma Aminobutyric.
  •  AHA/BHA, which is used to renew and refine your skin. Using the perfect blend of Alpha Hydroxy and Beta Hydroxy.

Skin Moderne++ aims to nature and protect natural beauty, and from my use I found this to be true. I will continue to use and recommend this brand to others looking for organic and cruelty free beauty that leaves your skin radiant and youthful looking. I am also a fan of their colorful and cute packaging.

The Elephant pants

Elephants are one of the most majestic species on Earth. There are two species of Elephants the African Elephant, which is the largest land mammal on Earth! And, the Asian Elephant. Unfortunately they have had a 50% decline in their population over the last 35 years, due to habitat loss and human conflict. Statistics shockingly show that 1 Elephant dies every 15 minutes. This rapid decline in the population, predicts that the year 2025 will be a year without Elephants. We need Elephants, as they are linked to rich biodiversity, and are needed to maintain forest and savanna ecosystems, they are a vital part of our planet. They are also key stone species, so would be major blow to lose such a powerful animal.

The Elephant pants have partnered with the ‘International Elephant foundation’ to donate a portion their sales, to help create a sustainable future for Elephants and in doing so will protect the globes biodiversity. They are focusing on four major categories.

  1. Anti poaching and security
  2. Habitat protection and Elephant conservation partners
  3. Finding a cure
  4. Sharing our world: Preventing human-Elephant conflict

So far, $138,170.00 has been donated to charitable organizations, very impressive! They will donate 10 % of all net profits to save Elephants.

I was recently sent the gorgeous ‘Annabelle sundress’, the perfect summer dress! I adore it,  as it’s light, flowy and a beautiful design.  It can be dressed up or down, and the best part it’s helping to save the Elephants. The Elephant pants offer many items, from pants, sundresses, yoga tops, shirts and accessories. Here is a link to their website and online store

The Elephant pants

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International Elephant foundation

Guest post on ‘What’s your impact’

I was given the opportunity to contribute to ‘what’s your impact’ blog site ‘The Eco Guide’. The Eco guide aims to educate people on the fight against climate change. Offering information and tips on various topics, on how each individual can make small or large changes to their every day life to help sustain our Earth by lowering their carbon footprint. It was a privilege to contribute to this wonderful organization. Below is a link to their website and a copy of my post.

Guest post

What’s your impact

Eco-fashion, the fashion industry’s answer to help combat climate change?

There is a strong relationship between fashion and climate change, the fashion industry has a direct impact on our environment. The billion dollar fashion and apparel industry is the one of the largest polluters of our clean water supply. The fashion industry uses extensive amounts of the Earth’s natural resources, such as water (second largest industry user of water) cotton and other raw materials. Approximately 8,000 synthetic chemicals are used throughout the globe to turn raw materials into the textiles that are used to make our clothes and accessories. As a result this industry is a primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, including Carbon dioxide (CO2) which as we know is a principle source of global warming, which is rapidly changing the globes climate. Understanding the ‘supply chain’ is essential in recognizing where and how various factors of the fashion industry are contributing to dramatic environmental damage and as a result accelerating the rate of which climate change is occurring. The supply chain describes, the use of millions of people, various environments and natural resources. As the supply chain is the process that turns raw materials into the finished product, the process that makes a designers vision into an object displayed in a store or on-line. It is one of the longest and most complicated industrial chains in the manufacturing industry. Changes across this supply change can and are needed to be changed to lessen the impact on our environment and to also enhance the well being of the people working and the various ecosystems along this chain which are being subjected to pollution directly and indirectly, such as the waste polluting water sources from textile waste during unsustainable manufacturing procedures.

Fast facts about this billion dollar industry’s impact on the environment:

  • Next to the food and beverage industry, clothing and accessories are purchased most often and replaced the most frequently.

  • 60 billion kilograms of fabric is outputted annually.

  • 132 million metric tons of coal is used each year through the production of natural and synthetic fibers, dying and bleaching of garments.

  • The fashion industry uses six to nine trillion liters of water each year.

  • Cotton is the worlds most commonly used natural fiber and is nearly 40% of our clothing. Cotton is also the worlds largest pesticide consuming crop.

  • On average, 150 grams of pesticides and other agriculture chemicals are used to produce the cotton for just one T-shirt.

  • Each year, over 90 million items of clothing end up in various land fill sites.

  • Annually, over 70 millions trees are logged to be transformed into various fabrics.

  • Plastic microfibers shed from our synthetic clothing, enter our water systems and attribute to 85% of the human made material found along shorelines, effecting marine Eco-systems.

  • The Fashion industry is the second largest polluter to freshwater water systems across the globe.

  • A quarter of the chemicals produced on earth are used for textiles.

  • Over 150 billion garments are produced each year, which is enough to provide every person on this planet with 20 new garments annually.

Many of us do not acknowledge where our clothing comes from and take fashion for granted. As the fashion industry has been around for a very long time, it is extremely important culturally, historically, religiously and socially. Therefore, fashion has many important attributes. As such, fashion is a leading platform globally, so it is essential to our planet that the fashion industry is sustainable and lessens its impact on the environment and reduces its carbon footprint. The fashion industry has the global platform, to endorse and promote sustainability. This industry has the power to change through education on the importance of sustainability and green living. Preserving fashion for future generations by conserving our natural resources.

Eco-Fashion is a term which is thrown around more and more frequently, so what is Eco-fashion? Eco-fashion is a social responsibility which will help reduce human impact on the environment, and reduce fashions impact on climate change. This can be achieved by designers and brands making the switch to environmentally friendly materials, and by also changing the methods of the production to that which is socially and environmentally ethical. This can be achieved by making clothing from recycled materials, or from materials that are produced by environmentally sustainable methods. The health of the consumer wearing the clothes is an another essential factor of Eco-fashion, as well as the well being of those making these clothes, ensuring that their working conditions are safe and environmentally friendly. Sustainable fashion is becoming more prevalent. There are various types of brands and designers who are branded as Eco-fashion and target a wide range of audiences, these vary from high end fashion, chain stores (fast fashion) to local boutiques. Examples include:

  • Stella McCartney: This is a vegetarian based company, aiming to use responsible resources and materials to lessen their impact on the environment.

  • MadeFAIR: An on-line retailer who strive to make ethical, sustainable, and Certified Fair Trade clothing and accessories.

  • Fair trade winds: A company which use environmentally sustainable products and support artisans, farmers, and craftspeople from various Countries.

  • Symbology: A company who employs women artisans from India and the West Bank. Who work with textile arts worldwide and fuse them with modern designs to create inspired,unique pieces, with each individually telling story of empowerment.

  • Fibre atheltics: This company use organic and recycled materials in all of their products.

  • Shift to nature: A company which only source products from Designers and Labels whose mission is to produce ethical, Eco, sustainable products. These brands create clothes from Global Organic Textile Standard Certified Organic Cotton (GOTS) and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified Bamboo.

  • Freedom of animals: A unique sustainable and cruelty-free luxury bag line.

  • H&M conscious collection: H&M is making the switch to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly, their starting point is the desire to make more sustainable fashion choices available, affordable and attractive to as many people as possible.

These examples are just a few of the Eco-fashion brands that exist, there are even more Eco-fashion brands found around the world, we can all do some research to find an environmentally friendly brand that is near where we live and what suits us all individually. It is vital that we are all fashion conscious and are aware of what we are wearing on our bodies. The consumers of the fashion world have a voice, each of us can shop sustainable and reach out to those fashion brands who are not environmentally conscious and suggest they make changes that will protect our earth for our future generations.

Studies have illustrated that over the whole life cycle of a piece of clothing, from the manufacturing of raw materials to the disposal of that item, the CO2 emissions on average add up to more than 10 kilograms! As consumers we all have the power to enjoy and embrace guilt free fashion. Here are a few suggestions to wear with care, and make the switch to green fashion, by following these tips each of us can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Limit your clothes:

Research has shown that the carbon footprint of a t-shirt is estimated to be approximately 6 kilograms, around 20 times its own weight! Ask yourself, how many clothes do you actually need? Ensure that your wardrobe is trans seasons. Meaning, make sure the clothes that you buy last over multiple seasons and can cross over into all seasons.

2. Recycle:

Recycling is extremely important when reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Even by recycling 1 kilogram of used clothes will help to reduce up to 3.6 kilograms of CO2 emissions. Detox your wardrobe, and when clearing out unwanted clothes make sure that these do not end up in landfill. Recycling clothing will help conserve raw materials and natural resources that have already gone through the supply chain, this will eliminate the use of 6000 liters of water, 300 grams of fertilizers and 200 grams of pesticides, required to start from scratch. Donate to charitable organizations such as goodwill and the salvation army, this will also provide to those in need, strengthening the community. Another way to recycle is to swap clothing with friends and family, you could make a fun spring cleaning event out of this.

3. Buy Vintage:

Buy your clothes from second hand stores. Keep clothes that have already been made in circulation, therefore these natural resources that have already been used do not go to waste. Fashion trends continue to pop up within vintage clothes, as they hold a unique history and have quality materials. Studies show that by extending the average lifespan by active use of an item of clothing by as little as three months, can reduce the carbon, waste and water footprint by 5-10 percent.

4. Buy local.

It is estimated that 60 percent of global clothing is manufactured in developing countries. Clothes are then placed in shipping containers and disperse around the world via various transportation methods such as planes, trains and trucks. It is not known how much fuel is used, however research suggests that 22 million new clothing items are brought by American’s annually with one 2 percent of which is domestically manufactured. Therefore around 90 percent of garments travel for thousands of miles, burning fossil fuels along this journey to reach the retailer. Keep business within your community, check the label to understand where these clothes have been manufactured. Ensure working conditions are suitable, that workers domestically and internationally are not being exploited. Local and quality materials are used, and the production methods are sustainable.

5. Slow fashion over fast fashion

Fast fashion is a dangerous trend. Sure, it may seem cheap and up to date with the ‘latest’ trends. However fast fashion is placing a large cost on our environment and future. Overall, consumers are spending less but buying more frequently. Hazardous chemicals are driving fast fashion production, as synthetic and inorganic materials are being used, which produces a large source of carbon emissions. Fast fashion clothes are made in abundance with constantly changing designs and styles therefore fast fashion clothing is disposable. It is estimated that in American each year, 10-13 million tons of clothes are dumped into landfill, releasing toxic chemicals into our soil and water. Avoid the trap of fast fashion, it exploits both domestic and overseas workers, ensures a decline in local production and is straining our natural materials and resources. Invest in quality over quantity.

6. Use sustainable washing techniques

During a single t-shirts life cycle, approximately 75% of its carbon footprint will be caused from the consumers machine washing and drying techniques, by being conscious of how you wash and dry your clothes can dramatically reduce this figure. Many laundry detergents contain harmful chemicals to both the environment and to yourself. Buy green laundry detergent, with biodegradable and phosphate free ingredients, ensure these ingredients are plant and vegetable based. Save energy (and money) by setting your washing machine to use cold water. Studies demonstrate that washing clothes at 30 degrees Celsius will have a carbon footprint of 0.6 kilograms compared to a carbon footprint of 3.3 kilograms if clothes are washed at 60 degrees Celsius. Avoid the drying machine, this requires the use of large amounts of energy resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and line dry your clothes instead to conserve this energy. Hand washing is another great technique to conserve energy.

As citizens of the globe we all have a duty to preserve the Earth for future generations. The fashion industry is linked to climate change, so it is vital that we are all made aware of this impact. From here we can educate and empower designers, fashion brands/companies, local communities and the individual to take a stand against climate change and ensure that our clothing and accessories are environmentally sustainable. When it comes to your fashion choices, always ask yourself, what’s your impact?

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