Heard of Marie Kondo? She is the Japanese organising consultant who coined the term ‘spark joy’ as the deciding factor when sorting and decluttering your space. How about Thread Together? What about that? Thread Together’s mission is to drive social and environmental change by helping those in need through new clothes by managing fashion excess. Okay, now let's talk facts. Did you know that globally, 87% of all disposed textiles are sent to landfill or incinerated; 12% is mechanically recycled by cutting it or shredding it into the fibre, insulation material or rags; and less than 1% is chemically recycled back to reusable raw materials.
While a wardrobe clean out is great. A clear-out should be done with a clean conscience. Clearing out your wardrobe requires considered thought. During your clear out, know that at that moment, you (yes you!) have the power to decide whether or not the items you’re getting rid of are going to have a second life or if they're going to landfill.
So, here is our guide to clearing out your closet with a clean conscience.
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Consider repairing them
Hold on a second… Before you even think about what to do with that old t-shirt or pair of jeans you wouldn’t consider ever wearing again, are you sure they are beyond repair? Figuring out how to remove stains from clothes or how to fix a zipper on jeans is not too hard.Try different stain removers and washing techniques to get rid of stubborn stains. Test out your sewing skills or take your torn clothes to a seamstress to make adjustments or add patches.
If your clothing is definitely beyond repair, why not get creative with it? Perhaps there’s a print or design on your shirt or dress that you’re particularly fond of – why not cut out the fabric and frame it? Or perhaps you could sew an assortment of fabrics together from various old clothing to create an eclectic blanket. It would make a thoughtful gift, too!
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Give them to a fabric recycler
Another option to dispose of unwanted clothing is to donate them to a textile recycler. There are many charitable recycling organisations that specialise in clothing recycling – you can find the nearest one to you. Many organisations will most probably only be interested in commercial amounts of fabrics, but it’s worth giving it a shot. Find your nearest donation bin!
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Upcycle the fabric yourself
As touched on earlier, there are plenty of creative things you can do to upcycle your old unwanted clothing. Upcycling fashion is a prominent trend at the moment, so finding some upcycling clothes ideas are not hard to come by. Here are some more: turn them into old rags for cleaning, sew them to cushion covers, use them for pet bedding, donate them to a mechanic for them to use as rags or to an animal shelter. It doesn’t matter if the clothing is in poor condition, someone or something will always find a use for an old rag.
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Clothing Swap Party
Swapping clothes is an excellent way to socialise ‘around’ your old clothes. In the process, you can make sustainable additions to your closet. Is it complicated? Not at all. Call five friends and have each bring at least five garments they no longer wear. Then, get the party started!
Clear out tip: Cleaning out your wardrobe is also an opportunity to assess what you currently have. Take note and assess what you really need and use.
Moving Forward: Mindful Choices
Obviously, it’s great that there are a range of ways to dispose of old clothing and textiles that are not in good condition. Whether you reuse or recycle them, take them to a collection bin or contact the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations to figure out where to drop off old clothes, there are many ways you can ensure your old clothing avoids the landfill.
That said, the best method of all is to change your shopping habits in the first place. From opting for natural fibres that are compostable to choosing slow fashion always, here are some handy ways to cut down on clothing waste.
Choose natural fibres
One of the best ways to cut down on clothing waste in the first place is to ensure you pick items made of natural materials. This is because once you are done with the item (if you ever are!) you can try composting it. Although it requires a lot of patience, the environmental benefits of composting old clothing are not to be underestimated. Here’s a guide to composting fabrics.
Sharing is caring, right? If you’re someone that gets bored of your own clothes quickly, why not share or swap your clothing with close friends and family members? Not only is this better for the planet, but it’s better for your bank balance too. Double win!
An essential component of cutting down on clothing waste is building a capsule wardrobe of timeless essentials. Capsule clothing includes items like basic tops for him and her to socks and undies for him and her. A capsule wardrobe will keep you covered and minimise unnecessary purchases.
Join the slow fashion movement
Continuing on from the last point, it’s vital to ditch fast fashion once and for all and become part of the slow fashion movement. By aligning with ethical and sustainable clothing brands such as Boody, you’ll actively be doing great things for the planet and for yourself. Start cutting down clothing waste today by becoming part of the ever-growing slow, sustainable fashion movement!
Speaking of slow fashion… Creating sustainable alternatives to everyday basics, only practising eco-friendly processes and caring for the people that make our clothes will always be our top priority. We’re on a slower, more mindful schedule.
So when you say slow, what do you mean?
- We are passionate about having the lowest possible environmental footprint for both our garments and supply chain and are tirelessly re-assessing our processes.
- We use ocean freight instead of air freight.
- Every air-mile saved saves CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
- With slower production schedules, small-batch collections, and zero-waste designs, we aim to reduce textile waste clogging our landfills.
For more sustainable tips, follow @boody #EveryBoody
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What is Plastic Free July and why is it important?
Plastic Free July is here again. But what exactly is the global movement and what makes it so important? Well, anyone who tries to live even the slightest bit of a sustainable life, will know the importance of cutting down single-use plastics. So, what better time to cut down or cut out plastic altogether? We take a look at what Plastic Free July is, why it’s important and how you can get involved. Why not get into the habit of reducing single-use plastic waste every day, whether it’s at home, work or your favourite place to go for lunch. By taking part in Plastic Free July, you’ll be doing something that challenges people and yourself, but gets others to take part in slowing down and ultimately ending the process of plastic production. What is Plastic Free July? Plastic Free July is a global movement that allows millions of people across the world to be part of the solution to plastic pollution. From cleaner oceans to streets, Plastic Free July is the perfect opportunity to commit to refusing single-use plastics. Plastic Free July is an important initiative of the Plastic Free Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organisation working towards a world free from plastic waste. From humble beginnings in 2011, the award-winning Plastic Free July campaign has been born from years of hard work and dedication. Why is Plastic Free July important? We produce an estimated 300 million tonnes of plastic each year. Let that sink in for a few moments. Once it has… process the next part: roughly half of it is disposable! Sadly, only 10-13% of plastic items are actually recycled. And, because of the nature of petroleum-based disposable plastic, it is almost impossible to recycle it and chemicals have to be added in order to do so. These same degrading chemicals make their way into our food and water supply. And this is just some of the terrible impacts plastic has on us. When it comes to the environment, we’ve all seen devastating images of sea creatures tangled in plastic. We’ve also seen what climate change does to the planet, a concept that plastic waste contributes to. How you can get involved Whether you’re an eco newbie on the hunt for a few single-use plastics to avoid or are a more seasoned sustainable warrior, there are many ways you can feel inspired to live a plastic-free life. Here are just a few to get you started. Switch to reusable coffee cups If you haven’t already, it’s time to ditch those disposable cups and opting for reusable versions. Ours is the perfect option for your favourite morning beverage. Refuse pre-packed fruit and vegetables Buying fruits and veggies wrapped in plastic packaging is convenient but bad for the environment. Avoid single-use plastics and refuse pre-packed groceries. Get some reusable straws Sometimes a straw is the perfect accompaniment to a nice, cool drink. But if the straw’s plastic, you’re better off going without. The solution? Carry a reusable straw with you so you can refuse plastic. Replace plastic bags with a tote Choosing to refuse single-use plastics is a bold and effective step to a better planet. Plastic shopping bags should be instantly cut from your life. Always carry a reusable tote with you. Say no to plastic water bottles Single-use plastic water bottles have no place in today’s world. A simple and sustainable solution is carrying a reusable flask with you. Easy. Effortless. Eco. Head to the Plastic Free July website to find out more ways you can help.
Eco
What is World Environment Day and how can you get involved?
From last summer’s devastating bushfires to our increasingly polluted seas, there’s no denying the impact our actions have on the planet. That’s why we all need to take steps to reduce our footprint and live a more sustainable life this World Environment Day and beyond. From choosing bamboo as our hero fabric to giving back to an array of causes, we always keep sustainability at the forefront of our minds. But before we look at everything we’re doing to be greener here at Boody, we thought we’d take a look at what World Environment Day is and how it's being celebrated this year. What is World Environment Day? One of the most important days across the globe for environmental action, World Environment Day engages citizens, businesses, the government and celebrities to turn their attention to pressing environmental issues. Since 1974, World Environment Day has been celebrated annually on the 5th of June. 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Biodiversity speaks to the variety of life on Earth, including the 8 million plant and animal species that roam our beautiful planet. It also speaks to the ecosystems that house them, and the genetic diversity among them. Biodiversity is an intricate and interdependent web, in which each member plays a significant role, drawing and contributing in ways that may not even be visible to the eye. The bountiful foods we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink and the weather that makes our planet habitable all come from nature. How you can get involved We all have a role to play in ending biodiversity loss and preserving nature. We must reconsider what and how we consume to be the change we want to see in the world. To do this, there are three ways we can all participate – even if we’re socially-distancing or self-isolating at home. Learn While we’re all spending more time at home, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the Earth’s wild species and habitats. 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Eco
How to create a sustainable home one room at a time
It’s April. Which means it’s nearly Earth Day again. Except, this year we’d hardly notice because we have so much else going on. Social distancing. Self-isolating. Trying to keep our spirits high during a time filled with so much uncertainty. But there are some positives that have come from this unprecedented time. You might have seen the satellite photos displaying how the COVID-19-led lockdowns across the world have lowered global emissions and giving Mother Nature a well-earned rest. What better way to celebrate Earth Day later this month? And, while we spend more time at home than ever before, we find ourselves finding time to focus on things we rarely have time for. Our physical and mental wellbeing. Creative hobbies and outlets. Spending time with loved ones we live with, albeit at a distance. Another thing we might find we have extra time for at home is catching up with some bits around the home we’ve put off. And, seeing as it’s Earth Day later this month, what better time to figure out how to create a sustainable home one room at a time? Sarah Pelham, the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell, offers some of these handy tips which we hope help to take your mind off the never-ending stream of news right now. Over to you, Sarah. Make your home eco-friendly Sustainable living is something that’s becoming more and more important to a lot of us, and we might have already started to make simple lifestyle changes such as walking more rather than using the car, or taking our own reusable shopping bags with us when we head out. And that’s great! But it’s time we all went a little bit further; it’s time we start shifting from a sustainable lifestyle to a sustainable house. Eco homes can massively minimise our impact on the environment. And don’t worry – creating eco-friendly homes isn’t quite as daunting as it sounds! There are lots of ‘basic’ changes you can make instantly, such as swapping out incandescent bulbs for LED lighting or getting a recycling bin, for example. But if you’re keen to delve into the world of eco-homes, even more, there are lots more ways that you can make a difference, making positive changes around your home, one room at a time. Here’s a bit of room-by-room inspiration to get you started: Bathroom National Geographic estimates that 91% of plastic isn’t recycled. This is why to have a truly sustainable bathroom, it’s best to try and avoid products that are made of, or are packaged in, plastic. Here are some great plastic-free bathroom alternatives to get you started. With bathrooms often being warm and steamy from a hot bath or shower, they’re the perfect environment for germs to thrive. Cleaning a bathroom is never a pleasant job, and many of us automatically choose the strongest cleaning solutions to make sure we kill any nasties lying around. Unfortunately, these chemical-filled cleaners get flushed away, filtered, and are back in the water supply… even if some chemicals still remain. Instead, try to use natural cleaning products. You can even make some yourself using white vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. Kitchen One of the best ways to get the ball rolling on an eco kitchen is to invest. Invest in high-quality cookware and durable plates and bowls, rather than always selecting the cheapest options. Why? Because investing in quality means investing in sustainability. High-quality cookware and dishes are more likely to withstand frequent use and washing, and less likely to deteriorate or break from everyday use. Cookware that lasts for years can significantly reduce demand for manufacturing, and all the byproducts of manufacturing such as energy, water, and fuel. If you’re not quite a dab hand in the kitchen, you may want to look away now. Believe it or not, cooking at home is actually one of the best ways to create a sustainable kitchen! Pre-packaged ready meals have probably done more travelling than you and me combined. Each step of the process will usually be handled at a different facility, really clocking up those food miles. Cooking from scratch not only means you can reduce your carbon footprint, but you can also be sure that the ingredients have been sourced sustainably. Don’t forget to use green kitchen appliances, too. Bedroom Could your bedroom do with a lick of paint? If you’re redecorating, try to use eco-friendly paint that’s much better for the environment (and for your own health, too!). Look for ‘low VOC’ or ‘zero VOC’ paints, which have fewer volatile organic compounds that can be released into the air. Low VOC paints typically have less than 50g per litre, while zero VOC paints have less than 5g per litre. It’s always best to check the labels to know for sure, but as a general rule of thumb, flat latex paints that are light in colour usually have lower VOCs than glossy, oil-based paints. If you’ve chosen cotton sheets for your bedroom, good for you. You probably know that cotton is a pretty good choice for a sustainable bedroom. But it’s not the best choice. The problem with cotton is that fertilisers and pesticides are often used in the farming processes, which aren’t great for the planet. If you’re looking to make a quick and simple swap, switch to organic bamboo sheets, which look and feel really similar. Bamboo holds the world record for the fastest-growing plant at a rate of 91cm per day, so there’s always a constant, renewable source. Here’s some more benefits of bamboo. Living Room Think the perfect couch doesn’t exist? Think again. Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene Powell once said that it took the Apple Co-Founder eight years to decide on a couch, but we think it’s much easier to find the right one… especially if you look at sustainable options. A sustainable couch really can be whatever you make it. You could choose second-hand furniture, with absolutely no new resources used, or you could buy new. When buying new, look for couches made using sustainable wood (with FSC or AFS certification), or try to buy from a local manufacturer. Need new furniture for your living room? Here’s a bit of a crazy idea, but it’s one that could help you create a unique space and the sustainable living room of your dreams. Instead of buying new, how about trying to build new furniture from items already in your home? This is also ideal now it’s hard to get out much! For example, you could create a side table by stacking books, or a box shelf from an old desk drawer. Upcycling is a fantastic way to minimise the amount we send to landfill and create one-of-a-kind spaces. And best of all, you’ll be reducing the piles of clutter that you just don’t know what to do with! There’s no rush The thought of what could happen if we all carry on as we are is terrifying, but the truth is that the world isn’t going to implode tomorrow. Don’t try and implement all these changes at once, or you may end up feeling overwhelmed and wanting to give up. And that’s not doing the planet any good! Instead, approach sustainable living from a ‘one room at a time’ perspective. By working in bite-sized, manageable chunks, you’ll soon find that you’ve created an eco-home that really makes a difference. And right now, this could be time well-spent indeed. Sarah Pelham is the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell.com.au, an online platform for instant bookings for hair, nails, beauty & massage appointments. For nearly four years Sarah has worked closely with hundreds of salon owners within the beauty and wellness industries. She has her finger on the pulse of new trends in this growing market.
