If you follow The Guardian, then you may have seen the alarming images of textile waste in the Atacama Desert in Chile. Earlier this month, Agence France-Presse shared photos of over 39,000 tonnes of discarded second-hand and unsold clothing that are imported and landfilled in Chile. AFP News Agency attributes this clothing waste to the fast fashion industry. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, over 100 billion garments are produced each year!
This Friday, November 26 is Black Friday, followed by Cyber Monday on November 29. @retailcouncilcanada’s 4th annual Holiday Shopping Survey 2021 states that of the 2,500 Canadian consumers surveyed, 43% plan to shop on Black Friday, with 35% planning to shop on Cyber Monday. Clothing is the top category that consumers plan to spend their money on.
So, what can you do to avoid impulse clothing purchases this year?
@cariumagreentips suggests asking yourself these five questions before making a purchase:
- Do I need it?
- Do I have something similar?
- How often will I wear it?
- Is it made to last?
- Do I love it?
If the higher purchase price of a sustainably or ethically produced garment compared to fast fashion clothing is a barrier, then consider looking for deals from the retailers that you otherwise couldn’t afford on Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Think about the purchase as an investment, as higher quality garments last longer and need to be replaced less often. A trick for this is to think about the use value you will get out of a longer-lasting piece. To do this, divide the total cost by how many times you think you may use the item to justify spending the higher initial cost.
Learn about the impacts of your purchases before buying. Check out the comprehensive reading list Fashion Revolution developed for Black Friday about fast fashion production, consumption, and waste.
Photos of the Atacama Desert from @martinbernetti_photojournalist
