The Environmental Cost of Fast Fashion Explained, blog #14

What is Fast Fashion?

Simply put, Fast Fashion is a business model where clothing companies produce enormous volumes of trendy, inexpensive clothing to flood the consumer market, whether or not the demand is present. Before fast fashion evolved, clothing companies released seasonal collections, for example, winter, spring, summer, and fall. Fast fashion brands introduce new styles on a weekly or even daily basis, encouraging frequent purchases and disposing of ‘outdated’ clothing, creating a cycle of buying and disposing of unwanted clothing that ends up in landfills.

The key components of fast fashion are cheap labor, child labor, cheap retail cost to the consumer, fast production, and the use of synthetic fibers (vs. natural/biodegradable fibers) at the expense of quality and environmental pollution.

The world produces 92 million tons of textile waste per year. Old clothes make up most of this trash, but it also includes other textiles such as towels, curtains, tablecloths, and carpets. Billions of new clothing items are designed, created, and sold annually.

Much of the textile waste is from consumers and households getting rid of old clothes. Businesses also throw away all sorts of textiles – from stores with clothes they can’t sell to hotels getting rid of old towels and bedding. Some of this is recycled, but only 12% of textiles are recycled globally. That means 88% or 81 million tons of used clothing and other textiles are thrown into landfills, releasing greenhouse gases that contribute to climate warming.

“The fashion industry produces 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions, is the second-largest consumer
of the world’s water supply, and pollutes the oceans with microplastics,”

Business insider

Sources:

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) — article “Threads of change: weaving solutions to reduce textile waste accumulation”.

BusinessWaste.com — in their Textile Waste Facts page: “The world produces 92 million tons of textile waste every year.“

Four Key Traits of Fast Fashion Brands

1. Extremely low prices: Fast fashion labels are known for slashing prices drastically. Some even give away products for free just to clear stock. Even at full price, items are often far cheaper than what would be considered fair market value—for instance, experts estimate a fairly priced T-shirt should cost around $30.

2. Manufactured urgency: These brands rely heavily on creating pressure to buy. Their marketing tactics often include buzzwords like “must-have” or “don’t miss out” to push impulse purchases and make consumers feel like they need to act fast. Fast fashion promotes a ‘throw-away’ culture, leading to massive textile landfills, waste, and environmental pollution.

3. Constant trend turnover: Fast fashion companies release new designs at a breakneck pace—sometimes daily. Their ability to replicate popular styles or viral looks and get them to market within days or weeks is a clear indicator of their business model.

4. Poor quality materials and construction: Fast fashion clothing tends to look and feel cheap, which aligns with how it’s made. These items are often produced with synthetic fabrics like polyester and skip important quality features like linings, sturdy fasteners, and functional pockets. Fit and consistency are usually lacking, with noticeable differences even between identical items on store racks.

Note: Fast fashion drives overconsumption and waste, making the fashion industry one of the most polluting industries in the world. It worsens climate change through greenhouse gas emissions, drains water resources, and pollutes land and waterways.

You Can Help Reduce Environmental Pollution and Fast Fashion Landfills By…

  1. Buy less, and read clothing labels to identify if the article of clothing is made of natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk, wool, hemp, ramie, etc). Fast fashion clothes are usually made with synthetic fibers (plastic) such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic that shed tiny plastic fibers when washed. These microplastics end up in rivers, oceans, and waterways, and enter food chains and harming marine life. Plus, wearing natural fibers is better for your skin!
  2. Secondhand & thrift shopping: Curtail your spending on fast fashion and purchase at thrift stores. By doing this, you are reducing the demand for new manufacturing of fast fashion clothing AND keeping garments out of landfills.
  3. Extend the life of old clothes by upcycling and repurposing them into new, useful items. For example, turn jeans into shorts, potholders, coasters, placemats, bags, Halloween costumes, or slippers. You will find how upcycling sparks your creativity!
  4. Buy from sustainable & ethical brands: support companies that use organic fabrics, natural dyes, recycled fibers, and transparent labor practices. Look for certifications like Global Organic Textile Standard or Fair Trade.
  5. Learn to care for your clothes by repairing, mending, and proper laundering. When you wash clothing made of natural fibers, there is no microplastic shedding into the water systems. Wash in cold water, air-dry, and repair instead of throwing into the garbage.
  6. Learn a new life skill…take up sewing and create slow fashion. Watch your creativity soar.

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Transform Pet Food Bags into Eco-Friendly Shopping Bags, blog #13

Do you have a dog? Have you wondered what to do with the large (30-40-pound) bags made of plastic that are NOT recyclable? Typically, plastics that are non-recyclable are tossed into plastic garbage bags and thrown into landfills. Out of sight, out of mind.

You already know this, but plastics do not decompose… they break down into microplastics which pollute our lands, rivers, oceans and waterways, endanger the health of wildlife, marine life, and human life. The toll on all living things and beings, and the destruction to our planet, is enormous. There is no Planet B, so let’s take care of the only home we have.

Rather than throwing dog food bags into the trash, upcycle and repurpose them by creating something useful. Implement sustainable practices in your everyday lives. Another action is to call or email the dog food companies to replace plastic storage bags with thick, strong paper bags that are recyclable.

Dog Food Bags Repurposed Into Shopping Bags

This is Huey

These are Repurposed Shopping Bags from Huey’s Food Bags

  • blue buffalo wilderness dog food bag with wolf pictured on front
    Blue Buffalo Wilderness
  • close-up view of outside label 'Hand Made with love' with the heart symbol
    Blue Buffalo Wilderness
  • image of bag of Blue Buffalo Wilderness dog food bag with clear vinyl handles
    Blue Buffalo Wilderness
  • Zignature dog food bag repurposed into reusable shopping bag in bright pink color with label 'handmade with love' for the earth
    Zignature with Probiotics
  • side view of Zignature dog food in bright pink color bag
    Zignature with Probiotics
  • close-up view of Zignature dog food bag upcycled to reusable shopping bag
    Zignature with Probiotics
  • Image of Iams proactive health 30 pound dog food for large dogs in bright emerald green
    Iams Proactive Health
  • side view of upcycled reusable shopping bags made from Iams dog food bag
    Iams Proactive Health
  • close-up image of stitching of upcycled dog food bags into useable shopping bags with study stitching
    Iams Proactive Health

What You Can Do To Become More Sustainable:

🐶 Make sustainable, reusable shopping bags from your pet’s food bags, or ask someone who has sewing skills.

🐶 Call or email pet food companies and request that they change from plastic to compostable food bags

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Download your FREE Sustainability Checklist!

Why Sustainability Matters: Protecting Our Planet Together, blog #12

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is the responsible use of resources to meet our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. This requires balancing environmental protection, social well-being, human and wildlife health, and economic stability. Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, directly or indirectly, on our natural environment.

Pursuing sustainability means fostering conditions where people and nature can thrive together in balance, ensuring the happiness of both current and future generations. In other words, humans must take responsibility for changing the direction our planet is headed because we are the cause of global warming and climate change. Nature and humans need to COEXIST in a harmonious balance to preserve the future.

In the face of climate change, sustainable practices are critical because our choices today directly affect the health of the planet. By using resources wisely, reducing waste, and protecting ecosystems, sustainability helps slow global warming, preserve biodiversity, and protect clean air, clean water, and food supplies. It is not just an environmental responsibility—it is a commitment to ensure a livable, thriving world for all, and not just the lucky few.


Letter to Someone Living Fifty Years From Now
by Matthew Olzmann


Most likely, you think we hated the elephant,
the golden toad, the thylacine and all variations
of whale harpooned or hacked into extinction.

It must seem like we sought to leave you nothing
but benzene, mercury, the stomachs
of seagulls rippled with jet fuel and plastic. 

You probably doubt that we were capable of joy,
but I assure you we were.

We still had the night sky back then,
and like our ancestors, we admired
its illuminated doodles
of scorpion outlines and upside-down ladles.

Absolutely, there were some forests left!
Absolutely, we still had some lakes!

I’m saying, it wasn’t all lead paint and sulfur dioxide.
There were bees back then, and they pollinated
a euphoria of flowers so we might
contemplate the great mysteries and finally ask,
“Hey guys, what’s transcendence?”   

And then all the bees were dead.


Copyright © 2017 by Matthew Olzmann. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on April 14, 2017, by the Academy of American Poets.

In my search on the topic of sustainability, I learned that true sustainability is an ideal. It can be applied to many areas of life, and a few of these are outlined below. Sustainability as a broad term remains the same, the use of natural resources wisely to meet our current needs and the needs of future generations. This is why incorporating sustainable practices is so important.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability means taking care of the earth’s resources—like clean air, water, soil, and animals—so that people today can live well without hurting the ability of future generations to do the same. Environmental sustainability is especially important now because climate change and global warming, caused by things like burning fossil fuels, are creating big problems such as extreme weather, rising seas, loss of wildlife and marine life, and negative effects on human health. By living more sustainably, we can slow climate change and help keep the planet healthy for the future. We do this by using renewable energy, reducing waste, minimizing pollution, reducing the impact of human activities, and protecting nature.

Source: Zero Waste Massachusetts https://keepmassbeautiful.org/what-we-do/waste-reduction-recycling/zero-waste-in-massachusetts.html

Economic Sustainability

Economic sustainability means supporting long-term growth and development in ways that use resources wisely, promote ethical business practices, and avoid harm to people or the planet. It is important in today’s climate crisis because countries that rely heavily on fossil fuels or return to fossil fuel production (like the U.S.), overproduction, and waste contribute to global warming and environmental damage.

Focusing on sustainability by investing in renewable energy, green jobs, and fair trade, societies can reduce climate impacts, protect natural resources, and build stronger, more resilient economies for the future.

Social Sustainability

Social sustainability means creating communities that are fair, healthy, and supportive so everyone has access to basic needs like clean air, safe housing, healthy food, education, and opportunities. The effects of global warming hurt vulnerable populations the most. Extreme weather, food shortages, and health risks are just a few calamities impacted indirectly by climate change. By focusing on social sustainability, societies can protect people’s well-being, reduce inequality, and make sure that all communities are strong and resilient in the face of climate change.

Source: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/20/8324

Natural Resource Management & Environmental Protection

Sustainability in resource management means using natural resources—like water, soil, forests, and energy—in a careful and balanced way so they do not run out or become too damaged for future generations to use. It is important because overusing and wasting resources adds to problems like deforestation, pollution, degrading biodiversity, and rising greenhouse gas emissions. By managing resources wisely and sustainably, we can reduce the negative impacts of global warming, keep our ecosystems healthy, and ensure natural resources are available for future generations.

The graph shows the moral dilemma the U.S. feels between environmental protection and economic growth since the 1980s. Environmental protection was considered the most pressing matter until 2008. What happened in 2008? The financial crisis! Seeing the graph is disheartening. Just when governmental policy is shifting toward greener technologies and sustainability, we are thrust backward in time to increased fossil fuel production!🤷‍♀️🤷‍♂️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♂️🤔😶 Protecting the environment and growing the economy can be achieved simultaneously.

https://www.statista.com/chart/27234/us-survey-prioritize-environment-vs-economy/

What sustainability means to me…

My personal view of sustainability is using our natural resources wisely to meet our current needs while preserving the future health of our planet for future generations of animal and human life. This means changing to greener technologies, building strong communities, taking care of vulnerable populations, and incorporating sustainability practices in our daily lives.

Sources:

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Learn about Sustainability

Statista: US Survey on Environmental Protections and Economic Growth

Just Energy: Understanding Global Warming and Its Empact

United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals

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How One Family Became Eco-Friendly: The Ramirez Story, blog #11

Thought to try something different to write this post, that is, to have AI write a story about a family’s attempt to become more sustainable. The AI tool, ChatGPT, was used to write this story about the Ramirez family. Below are my instructions to ChatGPT, along with its response.

My inquiry to ChatGPT: “Write a story of a family who decides to become more sustainable in their daily lives, and give at least 10 examples or ideas of implementing a circular economy in recycling and reducing waste.

ChatGPT said:

Title: The Green Turnaround – A Family’s Journey Toward Sustainability

Once upon a recent time, in the cozy suburban town of Maplewood, the Ramirez family lived a life

like many others — full of busy schedules, weekly takeout containers, and bulging trash bins every

Friday. But everything changed one crisp autumn morning.

Ten-year-old Maya had just returned from a school field trip to the recycling plant. Wide-eyed and

fired up, she marched into the kitchen and plunked down a pamphlet titled

“The Earth is Not a Trash Can!” on the breakfast table. “We throw away too much. We have to do

something,” she said.

Her parents, Elena and Carlos, exchanged a glance over their coffee mugs. Her little brother Leo, only five, was already using a cereal box as a helmet, pretending to be “Recycling Man.” That night, over dinner, the family made a pact to become more sustainable and reduce their household waste. And so, their journey began.

1. Upcycled Planters from Old Shoes and Cans

Instead of buying new pots for their herb garden, the family used old rain boots, tin cans, and even a cracked teapot. Maya painted them with colorful patterns and planted mint, basil, and lavender. The backyard started buzzing with bees and butterflies.

2. Repurposed Furniture

Carlos, who loved woodworking, turned their old crib into a cozy reading nook for Leo. He also transformed an unused wooden ladder into a vertical shelf for plants and books.

3. Clothing Swap and Upcycled Wardrobe

Elena organized a neighborhood clothing swap. Outgrown jeans were turned into a denim tote bag and pencil cases. Maya’s faded t-shirts became scrunchies and braided dog toys.

4. Composting Kitchen Scraps

They set up a compost bin in the backyard. Vegetable peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, and lawn clippings became rich compost for their garden. Leo called it the “worm buffet.”

5. Beeswax Wraps Instead of Plastic Wrap

Maya and Elena made DIY beeswax wraps using fabric scraps and melted wax. These wraps replaced plastic wrap in lunchboxes and fridge storage.

6. Homemade Cleaning Products in Reused Bottles

Using vinegar, lemon, and baking soda, they created natural cleaning products and reused old spray bottles to store them. The house smelled fresh without the chemical tang.

7. Zero-Waste Grocery Shopping

They started shopping at a bulk food store with reusable jars and cloth bags. Leo loved scooping oats and rice, and the cashier always gave him a high-five.

8. Toy Hospital

Instead of tossing broken toys, Carlos set up a “toy hospital.” He and the kids fixed wheels, reattached doll limbs, and repainted fading blocks. Some toys were donated, others proudly rejoined the toy shelf.

9. Gift Wrapping with Old Maps and Newspapers

When Christmas came around, the Ramirez family wrapped gifts in old maps, sheet music, and comic book pages. Ribbons were made from yarn and fabric scraps.

10. Furniture and Decor from Pallets

Carlos brought home discarded wooden pallets and built a coffee table and a garden bench. Elena decorated the patio with hanging lanterns made from old mason jars.

Over the months, their trash output shrank, their creativity bloomed, and neighbors began to take notice. The Ramirez family’s efforts inspired a small wave of change on their street. Every Saturday became “Reuse Day,” where families swapped ideas and shared tools.

On the one-year anniversary of their pledge, Maya stood in their backyard garden, now vibrant and humming with life.

“We didn’t just help the Earth,” she said. “We became a better family, too.”

And in the glow of a solar-powered garden light, with bees buzzing nearby and compost gently steaming in the corner, the Ramirez family smiled — rooted in the knowledge that small changes, when made together, can lead to something beautifully big. 🌱

What do you think of this AI-generated story? Not a bad story, but the story would make a much better impact if real Ramirez families were implementing and living sustainable lives through upcycling, reusing, recycling, repurposing, and reducing waste headed for the landfills.

Benefits of Reducing and Reusing –EPA.gov

  • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. 
  • Prevents pollution caused by reducing the need to harvest new raw materials.
  • Saves energy.
  • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.
  • Helps sustain the environment for future generations.
  • Reduces the amount of waste that will need to be recycled or sent to landfills and incinerators.
  • Allows products to be used to their fullest extent.
  • Saves money.
photo of smart towels made of 100% cotton knit fabric replaces paper towels urbanhandmades.com

Check out upcycled ideas on this website!

Sources:

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Letter to Someone Living Fifty Years From Now, blog #10



Letter to Someone Living Fifty Years From Now
by Matthew Olzmann


Most likely, you think we hated the elephant,
the golden toad, the thylacine and all variations
of whale harpooned or hacked into extinction.

It must seem like we sought to leave you nothing
but benzene, mercury, the stomachs
of seagulls rippled with jet fuel and plastic. 

You probably doubt that we were capable of joy,
but I assure you we were.

We still had the night sky back then,
and like our ancestors, we admired
its illuminated doodles
of scorpion outlines and upside-down ladles.

Absolutely, there were some forests left!
Absolutely, we still had some lakes!

I’m saying, it wasn’t all lead paint and sulfur dioxide.
There were bees back then, and they pollinated
a euphoria of flowers so we might
contemplate the great mysteries and finally ask,
“Hey guys, what’s transcendence?”   

And then all the bees were dead.


Copyright © 2017 by Matthew Olzmann. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on April 14, 2017, by the Academy of American Poets.

Listen to the poem by Matthew Olzmann

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The Environmental Impact of Natural and Synthetic Fibers, blog #9

Here is an interesting story about a backyard experiment on the biodegradability of natural and synthetic fibers used in clothing and many other industries. The takeaway is this: when left outside exposed to the elements, natural fibers decompose while synthetic (plastic) fibers do not. Natural fibers such as cotton, wool, linen, silk, ramie take about 1 year to break down into organic matter. Plastic fibers (synthetic) like polyester, acrylic, nylon, spandex, and olefin do not break down. Meaning, synthetic fibers, which are man-made and made with petrochemicals, can break down or decompose in 500 years…essentially never.

Below are photos of the experiment performed by Jane Milburn of Textile Beat on the biodegradability of synthetic and natural fibers.

Synthetic Fibers

Biodegradability of Synthetic fibers: polyester, acrylic, nylon, and Lycra samples labeled and buried for 1 year in 2018 – 2019.

Natural Fibers

Biodegradability of Natural fibers: cotton, linen, silk, bamboo, leather, wool samples labeled and buried for 1 year in 2018 – 2019.

So, the backyard experiment on natural and synthetic fabrics and their biodegradability that Jane Milburn did in 2018-2019 shows that natural fibers decompose within one year, while synthetic fabrics retained their shape and color, which is not a good sign.

To read more on the sustainability of natural versus man-made (synthetic=plastic) fibers, go to Project CECE.


We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly.
We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.

Ann Marie bonneau

Comparing Natural Fibers & Synthetic Fibers: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages & Disadvantages:


FEATURES
NATURAL FIBERSSYNTHETIC (PLASTIC)
FIBERS
SourcePlants/AnimalsMade from chemicals
(man-made)
Eco-FriendlinessBiodegradablePlastics are forever,
non-biodegradable
ComfortSoft and breathableMuch less breathable
DurabilityLess durable than syntheticVery durable
MaintenanceModerate (needs care)Low (easy care)
CostTypically higherCheaper
Environmental ImpactFarming & water-intensiveEnvironmental pollution & energy-intensive

For me, deciding whether to choose natural fibers vs plastic fibers in my clothing and other home goods is a no-brainer! Since sustainability and caring for the earth are my goals, buying clothing and other textile goods made of plastic fibers goes contrary to my beliefs.

Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, are harmful to the environment due to their reliance on fossil fuels and their non-biodegradable nature. These materials are derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and their production emits significant greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Additionally, when synthetic clothing is washed, it sheds tiny plastic fibers known as microplastics, which often end up in oceans and waterways, harming marine life and entering the food chain. Unlike natural fibers, synthetic fabrics do not decompose easily, leading to long-term pollution in landfills. Overall, the environmental footprint of synthetic textiles is substantial and deeply concerning.

Sources:

  • Textile Beat: Synthetic Fibers do not break down
  • Project CECE. Natural vs Synthetic Fabrics: What’s More Sustainable

We need to challenge ourselves to become more environmentally sustainable, reduce waste, and care for the earth.

Can you do that?

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Sustainable Living: From Denim Waste to Useful Home Items, blog #8

Let me tell you the story about a pile of discarded jeans repurposed into useful things.

A few years ago, I was searching for a vintage Sears Kenmore sewing machine. The ones with a solid metal body and a strong motor…one built to last a lifetime, as long as it was well-maintained. After seeing a listing, I drove one hour to meet with the seller. After the typical meet ‘n greet salutations, I went to work examining the machine while chatting with the sellers. Their story is interesting! Both of them worked in the coal mines in Kentucky all their lives and retired to Atlanta. They were salt-of-the-earth people, no pretenses, no hidden agendas, polite, friendly, calm, and honest. They appeared to be in their late 60s or early 70s, but probably were older due to years in the coal mines. Unfortunately, the sewing machine was not working well, and I had to decline. Upon departing, the woman asked me if I wanted a pile of deconstructed old jeans she and her husband had outgrown. Without knowing what I was going to do with them, I graciously accepted.

Fast forward a few years. I am now experimenting with the pile of denim, and it is an interesting process. By reimagining textile waste with paintbrushes and bleach, a new usable fabric is created, which is then repurposed into useful items that everyone uses on a daily basis. Going through this creative process with discarded denim, I am contributing to sustainability, the circular economy, zero waste philosophy, and caring for the earth.

photo of pile of deconstructed denim jeans waiting for upcycling repurpose sustainable products
photo of pile of deconstructed denim jeans on hardwood oak floor

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of
difference you want to make.

Dr. Jane Goodall

From Textile Waste Headed To The Landfills To Useful Upcycled Items For The Home

Example 1: Denim Coasters

photo of 8 upcycled denim coasters with bleach painting in abstracts designs
closeup photo of upcycled denim with dragonfly painted with bleach
denim pants repurposed to coasters with bleach painted abstract designs

Example 2: Denim Potholders

photo of 4 denim squares with bleach painting, strips of colorful bias tape and 100% cotton batting
photo of 8 denim squares with bleach painting designs on white background
photo is of upcycled denim jeans to sustainable kitchen accessories, build circular economy
discarded denim jeans upcycled to potholders using sustainable practices.

The Benefits of Upcycling, Repurposing, Reusing, Reviving, Recycling

Embrace the “Buyerarchy of Needs”

Tell us your upcycled story! We want to hear about it.

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Embrace the “Buyerarchy of Needs”, blog #7

Have you heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

If not, search the internet to read more. This post is not about Abraham Maslow, but rather about Sarah Lazarovic, who coined the phrase, “Buyerarchy of Needs,” and borrowed the Needs pyramid to apply alternatives to buying new clothes, especially fast fashion brands. Click here for a list of these fast fashion brands.

For those who don’t know where or how to start converting from a buyer mentality to a sustainable economy, the Buyerarchy of Needs shows you the way. To become more sustainable, start at the bottom of the pyramid and work your way up.

photo of Buyerarchy of Needs by Sarah Lazarovic, and credit to Abraham Maslow Hierarchy of Needs
Credits: Buyerarchy of Needs, Sarah Lazarovic; Hierarchy of Needs, Abraham Maslow

Why Changing Our Buying Behaviors Is Important To The Planet

In the United States alone, close to 17 million tons of textile waste were generated in 2018, of which only 15% (2.5 tons) was recycled or reused. The rest (14.5 tons) was sent to landfills or incinerated, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions, microplastics pollution, and chemical pollution. This data is from 2018, and it is staggering.

The trend of fast fashion in the United States as a significant factor to climate change is the same in other countries.

EPA’s Textile Waste Data in the U.S (in tons), 1960 – 2018

Below is the data table and graph on the number of TONS of textile waste during the time period, 1960 – 2018, and it is alarming. Since then, the amount of textile waste hovers around 17 to 18 tons per year in the U.S. The fast fashion business model of throw-away clothing began in the early 1990’s with a corresponding 130% increase in textile waste from 1980 to 1990. And the amount of textile was has continued to rise since then. As the data table shows, most of the textiles is landfilled. All of this pollution is affecting animal life, human health, human life, waterways, marine and wild animal life, and the very air we breathe.

Data table from EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), USA of textile waste management fron 1960 through 2018 shows significant increase in textiles sent to landfills since 1990 t0 present.
Source: EPA.gov/Textiles Material-Specific Data, 1960-2018.

~Revive Repurpose Reimagine~

Here is another quicker understanding of the EPA data on textile waste from 1960 through 2018 in graph form. The takeaway from this is…we need to do less buying, and more upcycling, recycling and repurposing.

EPA's infographic of textile waste, in tons, from 1960 through 2018

Let us take the road less traveled by buying less, and doing more with upcycling, recycling, repurposing, and reusing.

photo of Buyerarchy of Needs by Sarah Lazarovic, and credit to Abraham Maslow Hierarchy of Needs
Credits: Buyerarchy of Needs, Sarah Lazarovic Hierarchy of Needs, Abraham Maslow

Sources:

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9 Simple Habits for Sustainable Living, blog #6

With the negative effects of climate change affecting every country and every individual, we need to be more conscious about how our behaviors and habits affect the environment and what we can do to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable in our day-to-day lives.

I was not always overly concerned about the environment because I grew up during a period when disposable consumption was not a trend. Rather, we valued the ideas of sustainability, upcycling, and non-wastefulness, repurposing, and reusing were themselves part of a value system.

But as climate change became more of a threat, I became more conscious about how my actions and behaviors were negatively impacting the environment, and that is when I changed my perspective from a disposable attitude to a sustainable, circular economy, and environmentally friendly ethos. The first thing I implemented into daily practice was recycling of plastics (all the plastics numbers) to my local recycling center. Eventually, this small start of caring for the planet led me to create and build my own circular economy focused on sustainability.

Jean Chatzky, author and host of hermoney.com wrote an article on 9 ways we can save money and save the planet at the same time.

Here are 9:

1. Use reusable shopping bags

  • In the beginning, it is easy to forget to bring reusable shopping bags on your shopping excursions. But after a short time, it will become a habit and part of your shopping behavior. Store your reusable bags in your car so you will remember to use them. Some states in the U.S. charge a per-plastic-bag fee to promote the use of reusable bags, which can get costly, especially if you have a cartload of groceries or other needed supplies. This is a smart policy for safeguarding our planet and for remembering to bring reusable bags.
  • As of 2024, twelve states in the United States have single-use plastic bag bans. These states are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The report, “Plastic Bag Bans Work” in 3 states (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont) and 2 major cities (Portland, Oregon and Santa Barbara, California) reduced the number of single-use plastic bags by 6 billion. Enough to go around the planet 42 times!
  • Here are examples of upcycled reusable shopping bags made from 40-pound dog food bags – click here.

2. Switch to reusable water bottles

  • People who buy bottled water typically spend $266 per year. Plus, drinking from plastic bottles contributes significantly to your plastic footprint. By using a reusable water bottle, you are protecting oceans, waterways, marine life, animal life, human life, and the earth from plastic pollution and landfills. And you are also saving money.
  • Using reusable water bottles is healthier for you and the environment. As plastic breaks down, chemicals (BPA and phthalates) can leak into the bottled water and into the environment when discarded (not recycled). Bisphenol A (BPA) is a known endocrine disruptor affecting brain development and hormone regulation in fetuses and children. Phthalate chemicals are used to make plastic more pliable, AND are endocrine disrupters too, and affect reproductive health and normal fetus development. Don’t take these risks with yourself, family, and friends…switch to reusable water bottles.
  • Interested in finding what your plastic footprint is? Calculate yours here.

3. Buy used

Another smart way of promoting sustainability, and building your own circular economy is to buy used for household items, clothing, tools, cars, furniture, and many other necessary things. We don’t think twice about buying a ‘used’ home or ‘used’ car. Bring this mindset to purchasing other things you need to live.

4. Drive less, carpool, take public transportation

Driving a car has an enormous impact on the environment and on human health. Car exhaust fumes contribute to air pollution, climate change, and lead to respiratory and cardiovascular health problems. Pollutants in exhaust fumes include dangerous chemicals that can trigger shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter (pollutants in exhaust fumes) can exacerbate respiratory problems like asthma, bronchitis, and increase the risk of lung cancer.


The exhaust fumes from cars emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. This leads to rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and other climate-related issues. 

If you live close to public transportation, get out and walk to your local train or bus stations – it’s good for your health and helps build stronger bones.

5. Switch from paper towels to Smart Towels

See the page on switching from paper towels to using cloth or Smart Towels.

6. Donate your unused items to give them another life

According to hermoney.com, Americans dispose of 292 million pounds of garbage each year! And according to the EPA, each person produces 4.9 pounds of garbage each day. So, for one person for one year, this translates to 1,789 pounds of trash/year! Multiply this by the number of people inhabiting the planet, and the amount of garbage humans produce is staggering. And all of this garbage goes into landfills.

So recycling, upcycling, and creating your own circular economy are so important for our planet.

7. Drive a hybrid or electric car

If you don’t already know, driving a hybrid or EV is much better for the environment than a gasoline-powered car. With less exhaust fumes polluting the air we breathe and negatively impacting our health, there are lower levels of greenhouse gases impacting climate change. Plus, you save money by buying less/or no gas.

8. Switch to solar electricity

I did not realize that one-third of the energy the United States uses is from coal. While the upfront costs of installing solar panels/tiles are high, the benefits of installing solar energy are long-term. If you have excess energy, you can sell this back to the electrical company, which will credit your account for the excess energy your solar panels generate. The other upside is

9. Use reusable storage bags to transport bulk foods from the store instead of Ziploc bags 

I use to love Ziplocs! They were my go-to for storing food items purchased in bulk, storing cut veggies and fruits, and just about everything and anything. Do you know how long it takes for plastic to degrade? Up to 500 years! Click here to see how many years it takes for other plastics to decompose…you will be astonished and dismayed.

Now, I make reusable storage bags for the refrigerator, reusable sandwich bags, and reusable storage containers.

Sources:

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Creative Upcycling: Sweater → Bolsa, blog #5

One of the tenets of building a circular economy is applying creativity to reimagine how to reuse and transform unwanted items into usable and useful things. One of the benefits to upcycling is the avoidance of discarding items into the garbage where it will eventually end up in landfills.

The two upcycled projects below do exactly this. Because there will be textile waste when repurposing any textiles, recycle the scraps at your local recycling center’s textile waste section.

From Sweater To Bag

Rather than discard or donate the black and white animal print 100% wool sweater, it was upcycled into a large tote bag with a zipper and lined with 100% cotton black knit fabric. Details were added to complete the upcycled bag, such as a 5 petal knitted flower on the lower portion and vegan leather handles.

Most of the materials used to create this repurposed bag were already on hand, but the faux leather handles was purchased new.

photo of upcycled bag with double black faux leather straps knitted red flower on the left side with multicolor black background
Discarded sweater reimagined into large tote bag
photo of upcycled tote bag or handbag from discarded textile wool sweater with red knitted flower on lower right with black faux leather straps
Upcycled tote bag from discarded sweater
pic of upcycled handbag from discarded sweater with vegan leather straps and red flower petals on lower left side with pink book showing at top has fabric white background
Upcycled tote bag repurposed from unwanted 100% wool sweater

From Shirt To Bolsa

Here again, is an another example of upcycling a ready-to-discard faux suede shirt into a useful and handy medieval pouch, large enough to hold cellphones, IDs and other small items. The medieval pouch is worn with a belt over pants, skirt, or dress. Another plus, you’ll be hands-free.

pic of brown medieval pouch bolsa with loop for belt on multicolored white background
upcycled medieval pouch (bolsa) using discarded faux seude shirt
pic of interior and lining of upcycled medieval pouch (bolsa)
interior look of upcycled medieval pouch (bolsa)

The benefits of upcycling, repurposing and reusing unwanted items are:

  • Enhances creativity and creative reuse of materials, and avoids waste
  • Avoids discarding items considered no longer useful or wanted into the garbage, where they eventually end up in landfills.
  • Creates a sustainable circular economy in your space and saves money
  • Reduces the amount of waste that will need to be recycled or sent to landfills and incinerators
  • Upcycling reduces air and water pollution
  • Upcycling saves you money and allows products to be used to their fullest extent
  • Upcycling reduces the strain on valuable resources such as fuel, forests, and water supplies. And helps safeguard wildlife habitats
  • Upcycling results in less hazardous waste production during the manufacturing process
  • Upcycling saves energy – as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global climate fluctuations
  • Credit is given to healtheplanet.com for ‘the benefits of upcycling.‘

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