SUSTAINABLE FASHION IN ACTION

Sustainable fashion is necessary because of several reasons, including the need to make the textile and fashion sector more sustainable, the legislation with which the sector must comply, and the fact that the customer does want to become more sustainable, but do not (yet) always make responsible choices when het kopen van kleding. Bovendien is het belangrijk om opkomende, onafhankelijke ontwerpers te ondersteunen die zich inzetten voor duurzame innovatie en de meest innovatieve en onconventionele ideeën leveren. Duurzame mode is een overkoepelende term die verschillende waarden omvat, zoals ethische mode, slow fashion, eco fashion en circulaire fashion. Het is belangrijk om bewust te shoppen, prioriteiten te stellen en keuzes te maken om de noodzaak van eerlijke en ecologische mode te benadrukken en de kledingindustrie te veranderen.

RAISING CONSUMER BEHAVIOR

Buy less, but better: Buy good quality clothing that will last, rather than frequently buy new, cheap items that wear out quickly. This can uiteindelijk geld besparen en helpt de hoeveelheid textielafval te verminderen.

Buy second-hand: Buying second-hand clothes is a great way to be environmentally friendly footprint and save money. There are many online and offline thrift stores and clothing swap events you can attend can go to find second-hand clothes.

Choose sustainable materials: Choose clothing made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo or recycled fabrics. This materials are less harmful to the environment than conventional ones materials such as polyester and nylon.

Avoid fast fashion: Fast fashion is a model in which clothing is produced quickly and cheaply leading to poor working conditions and a huge impact on the environment. Try to avoid buying clothes at fast fashion brands and look for brands that pay more attention to sustainability.

Repair and recycle: If your clothes break, don't throw them away right away. Try it too repair or have it repaired by a tailor. You can also old reuse clothing by, for example, transforming it into something new or use it as a cleaning cloth. If the clothes are really no longer wearable recycle it through special recycling programs or take it to a clothing collection point.

Look at the production process: Read the clothing label and find out where it came from and how it has been produced. Choose brands that are transparent about them production process and that promote fair trade and good working conditions promote their employees.

Buy Local: Try to buy locally produced clothes. This reduces the CO2 emissions and supports local businesses.

CAMPAIGN

Ecover works together with Kringwinkel in Belgium to stimulate the refilling of plastic bottles and reduce waste. In the month of May they offer free refills at participating Kringwinkels.

"We found an ideal ally in the Kringwinkel to refill as many plastic packaging as possible during May Plastic Free."

kringwinkel.webp ecover.webp

MY INITIATIVE

Ecover works together with the Kringwinkel in Belgium to stimulate the refilling of plastic bottles and reduce waste. In the month of May they offer free refills at participating Kringwinkels. By actively participating in and promoting the campaign, you help raise awareness about the importance of refilling and reducing plastic waste.

I am a fan of sustainable living. Recently I started an initiative where I ask my friends and family to donate at least 10 items of clothing in exchange for laundry detergent. This action benefits all those involved because it contributes to the reuse of clothing and you can wash your (new) recycled clothing for free with Ecover.

For example, my sister did a spring cleaning in her closet. She thought this was a very good idea and had pockets full of clothes that could be given a new life.

Some people didn't have time to get involved, so I suggested they give me their clothes and I donate them to a thrift store. Then I could give them some detergent, as promised. I was able to collect about 15 bags of clothes that were donated to various local thrift stores. The manager was very happy with the donations.

SOURCES

Fashion United. (2023, April 11). Een duurzamere (Mode) Retail moet! Hoe haak jij aan?

Fashion United. (2021, January 4). Een nieuwe generatie: deze onafhankelijke ontwerpers zetten zich in voor duurzame verandering.

Cosmopolitan. (2023, April 11). Duurzame Mode gids: alles wat je moet weten over duurzame mode.

Knack Weekend. (2023, April 11). Duurzame kleding: een handige leidraad om bewuster te consumeren.

Ecover. (2023, mei 20). SAMEN MET DE KRINGWINKEL HERVULLEN WE VOOR ONZE TOEKOMST #REFILLUTION​​​​​​​