7 R’s of Sustainable Fashion

7 R’s of Sustainable Fashion

Shubham Anil Jain
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited
Bangalore, India
Email: shubhamajain125@gmail.com

 

Introduction:
This is for you if you love fashion and are passionate about protecting the environment. The fashion calendar used to have two cycles: Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter, but thanks to rapid fashion, there can now be up to 50+ micro-seasons. This implies that every week, new items are put on the shelves for us to buy. However, it’s cheap and poorly made, so we buy a lot of it and then discard it because it won’t last or because we don’t care. Global fashion consumption increased by 60% between 2000 and 2014, yet consumer retention of clothing has decreased by 50%. Since the 3Rs — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle — have been a part of school curricula for more than three decades, most people can easily list them off, but because our global fashion consumption problem is so severe, it’s time for a few more R’s — Research, Repurpose, Repair, and Rent!

7 R's of Sustainable Fashion

7 R’s of Sustainable Fashion:
The 7 R’s of Sustainable Fashion are a set of principles to promote responsible consumption and production practices in the fashion industry. These 7 Rs of fashion are discussed below.

1. Reduce:
The most crucial idea on this list is to purchase less. Our closets become less cluttered as a result. We can see our possessions so we can look after them better. The pieces we own are more likely to be worn because we don’t forget about them. Try buying for value instead of price. Fast fashion is more expensive per wear than investment pieces that may be worn throughout the seasons for many years.

2. Reuse:
The fastest-growing type of municipal garbage, textile waste contributes to CO2 emissions and overcrowded landfills. Reusing is a fantastic method for lowering textile waste. Reselling and donating to thrift stores benefits those in need while also reducing waste. Additionally, some brands have return policies. However, try to give it a second life by upcycling it or giving it to a friend before you recycle it or donate it.

3. Recycle:
Most of us consider plastic bottles, coffee cups, cartons, etc. when we think of recycling. Clothing is typically discarded in the trash since it is not generally considered recyclable. 60% of clothing is discarded in landfills within a year after purchase. Additionally, the decomposition of synthetic and some natural fibres can take hundreds of years. The majority of clothing can be recycled, which is fantastic news. Even ripped clothing can be donated in your neighborhood together with clean, dry clothing, shoes, and accessories. There are even take-back programmes at several stores.

7 R’s of Fashion

4. Research:
Spend some time investigating and contrasting brands’ production standards before making a purchase. Many companies post this information on their websites, but if you read it carefully, you can tell whether it’s accurate or just greenwashing. Check to see if they specify precise factory sites, follow reputable standards, and pay workers fairly. Read evaluations on durability and repairability. A tremendous job is done by businesses like Patagonia and Everlane in terms of production transparency. There are many other fantastic apparel brands that have been featured on TreeHugger over the years.

5. Repurpose:
Utilize your old garments in inventive ways. There are many creative applications for vintage cloth in the Pinterest age. “Leather that has been used or torn can be made into clutches, bags, and totes. You can upcycle T-shirts to make totes, pillowcases, jewellery, and even braided rugs! Wool dryer balls can be created by combining leftover wool from old sweaters with fresh wool roving. Additionally, search for companies that market recycled apparel. These can be seen in person at artisanal fairs and makers’ markets. When purchasing outdoor equipment, look for repurposed items at discount prices at the big-box stores. The Renewal Workshop is leading this initiative and is one outstanding company.

6. Repair:
Before choosing to toss out your clothing and shoes, always try to fix them. Fast fashion has a serious issue with this. Many people choose not to fix because the parts are so cheap and the poor construction makes it neither cost-effective nor possible. It’s a good excuse to choose better apparel. Make friends with the local cobblers and tailors, or learn how to fix things yourself. Get the sewing machine cleaned up, enroll in a course, and start experimenting.

7. Rent:
One of the three sustainable fashion trends Triple Pundit predicts for 2023 is the market for renting out garments. Recently, it is noticed a lot of references to rental companies and fashion libraries around North America and Europe. This idea is not all that dissimilar from other rentals in modern society, such as housing and transportation.

Conclusion:
Everything started to change for the better once we began utilizing these 7 R’s and making better choices regarding what we purchased and wore. It could seem challenging at first, but as you begin to put these “R’s” into practice, you’ll begin to realize the benefits of your decisions and how they relate to the greater picture. Knowing that each choice, no matter how small, may have an impact is such a wonderful thing.

References:

  1. https://fashiontakesaction.com/7rs-of-fashion/the-7-rs-for-fashion-lovers/
  2. https://www.treehugger.com/rs-sustainable-fashion-4854738
  3. https://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/sustainablenottingham/2022/03/03/the-7-rs-of-sustainable-fashion/
  4. https://www.curatedbyjennifer.com/the-7rs-in-fashion/

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