Minimalism: rejecting the chaos of fast fashion

The perils of fast fashion are well known. Widespread water pollution through the use of cheap and toxic dyes, mountains of textile waste, the ubiquitous use of fossil fuel-based materials such as polyester, the pressure on cotton farmers… the list goes on. Out of this chaos, a trend is emerging that rejects all that—minimalism. It’s time to ask: is a minimalist wardrobe the key to a happier and more sustainable life?

It’s not just fashion that’s gotten out of hand. The ills of fast fashion really just mirror the global thirst for more stuff at cheaper and cheaper prices. This is fuelled by advertisers pushing consumerism at every opportunity, which research suggests can increase levels of anxiety—think FOMO and “keeping up with the Joneses”.

If you are sitting there feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of keeping up with technology, cars, or fashion, and don’t know what to do about it, stay tuned. There is a growing trend in opposition to consumerism and fast fashion, which touts benefits such as more time, decreased stress, as well as better financial health and sustainability. And the best part is, we can all do something right now that will impact our overall happiness and footprint on the planet.

What is minimalist fashion?

If you’ve heard of Marie Kondo, then you might already have an idea of what minimalism is. Minimalism is about stripping back the unnecessary, leaving only the things that provide you with real value and joy. Minimalist fashion means having a minimal amount of clothes in your wardrobe that feel right for you and bring joy.

Minimalism is the antithesis of the modern consumerist narrative—and for good reason. In a global marketplace that wants you to consume more and more, minimalism says “Hey! Have you ever thought about intentionally having less?” Less debt, less clutter, less stress, less stuff. The upshot? Less debt and stress for you, and less valuable resources being extracted for stuff you don’t really need. How to get involved, you ask? Start with your clothes.

Slowing down fashion and keeping a minimalist wardrobe

Slow fashion is the fashion industry’s niche minimalist subculture. Instead of shopping vigorously to keep up with weekly trends and disposing of clothes after one wear on a Saturday night aka financially exhausting and extraordinarily wasteful, the ethos is “buy less, choose well, make it last”.

My entry point to minimalism and slow fashion was through my wardrobe. Back when I first started my minimalist journey some 4 years ago, I went through each and every item of clothing I had and either donated, threw away, or kept them. I offloaded about 80% of what I owned and it felt liberating (and that was just the first time). This process literally re-wired the way I think about buying things and the stress associated with consumerism. I now seek quality sustainable items or thrifted items over sheer quantity. If I don’t see the shops for months on end, who cares?

If I am going to bring something new into my life I have to love it. To this day I have not missed one single item I have given up, because the lightness that comes with purging excess clutter is simply life changing. I invite you to try it… like, now. Follow my process to get you started. Keep only the items that make you feel amazing when you wear them. But before you go and get started, here are some tips.

How to start your minimalist wardrobe

If you are looking for one of the best internet resources out there to help you on your minimalist fashion journey, look no further than The Minimalist Wardrobe. This group of fashion bloggers has all the tips and information you need to inspire you on your journey. Check out their articles for step-by-step guides to creating your minimalist wardrobe. But before you jump up in, keep these five tips in mind:

• There is no magic number of clothing items (or any items for that matter) to achieve a minimalist wardrobe
• Minimalism is about fine-tuning your own personal style and the only rule is to rid yourself of excess
• Minimalism doesn’t have to be monotone. Keep it colourful and versatile
• Don’t just send your unwanted stuff to landfill. Thoughtfully donate, sell, or gift it first
• Bask in the empty space and gratitude that flows into your mind and spirit…seriously

 

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Minimalist blogs we love

If the idea of owning less gets your juices flowing, you may find these three blogs of value (there are hundreds out there but these are the ones I read in the beginning): The Minimalists, Becoming Minimalist, Be More with Less. Alternatively you can try the 30 day minimalism game and get minimal with a friend for some friendly competition, or for those still more interested in the fashion side of things, check out Project 333.

Some staple minimalist fashion brands

These brands implement fair practices for their environmental, ethical, and animal impacts, and are great starting points if you are looking for some minimalist staples to round out your existing pieces and thrifted pieces.

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Every facet of christmas time can pose a threat to your local landfill. Things like disposable christmas trees, christmas cards, gift wrapping, cheap decorations, unwanted presents, not to mention the potential for massive amounts of food waste. If you are one of those awesome people getting serious about reducing your waste footprint, read on for some tips and tricks and have yourself a waste free christmas this year!

Be mindful of food (and food related) waste

Most of us are going to find ourselves entertaining or visiting family who are entertaining this Christmas, perhaps more than once. With family get togethers comes lots of food so here are a couple of things to consider and plan for to stop any food waste getting to landfill.

• Plan your menu appropriately to avoid a fridge full of leftovers that no one wants to eat.
• If you do have leftovers, ensure that you store them in sealed containers so as to avoid using a whole roll of cling wrap.
• Eat your leftovers by using them as the base for your next meal!
• Compost your food scraps in a compost bin or worm farm.
• Properly recycle your food packaging where possible and be sure not to place recyclables in your general waste bin. *Check your local council’s website for information on what can and can’t be recycled in your area.
• Do your best to use reusable crockery and cutlery.
• BONUS POINTS: Purchase your fresh produce from a local farmers market so you can be sure you are getting food with the lowest food miles (carbon footprint) while supporting your local economy.

Christmas trees, decorations, cards and wrapping

Putting up your christmas tree is one of the special days on the festive calendar, so be as green and waste-free as you can with these tips:

• Real or fake? According to the UK forestry commission, real christmas trees use ten times fewer materials and five times less energy than an artificial tree. And according to a 2009 study by Ellipsos in Montreal, you would have to use an artificial tree for 20 years to be more sustainable than a fresh cut tree bought once per year. Moral of the story, if you like artificial trees, keep them as long as possible and recycle them as best you can if you need to replace it. Otherwise, go for a fresh-cut tree, or even better, make one out of sticks or driftwood, use a tree from your own backyard, or buy one in a pot that you can replant later!
• Christmas decorations…we all have that box of them up in the cupboard that we pull out once per year. They are mostly plastic, and will no doubt eventually end up in a landfill. Avoid purchasing new ones in favour of some natural biodegradable and inexpensive DIY options such as those from Natural Living Ideas.
• Reuse your christmas cards by cutting off the kind words and using the blank side for christmas next year. Or do what my wife does and take them to a local kindergarten. They are always happy to take random things for arts and crafts!
• No need to purchase another 20 pack of christmas themed wrapping paper, just use the 10 rolls left over from last year. Alternatively, use some old newspaper or whatever you have lying around the house. I have used old clothes to wrap presents before…….i know that’s a bit much but you get the point.
• BONUS POINTS: If you don’t enjoy thinking about the 300,000 + tonnes of christmas card packaging ending up in landfill every year in the UK alone, use a service like Paperless Post. They send e-cards for a very small fee and are just as enjoyable as real card. No waste, no fuss.

Be green with your gifts

What about the main event of Christmas…….giving and receiving gifts? In Australia, roughly 20 million unwanted gifts will change hands every christmas and it’s getting higher all the time. The waste footprint and environment impact of consumer goods is enormous. When you are purchasing gifts this year, consider these tips:

• Avoid purchasing cheaply produced and highly packaged goods. Cheaply produced goods have a shorter lifespan and are designed to break sooner i.e. destined for landfill!. Look for quality items that can be fixed or at least recycled once they eventually breakdown in the future.
• Without taking the fun out of gift giving, try and purchase things that you know for sure the recipient wants. This ensures that they aren’t left with things that are likely to be thrown out or just collect dust in the top of a cupboard i.e. gimmicky christmas jumpers that are likely to only be worn one day per year!
• Christmas is the perfect storm when it comes to purchasing the latest and greatest phones, tablets, computers etc. do your best to sell your old technology to someone else who will continue to get value from it, or drop it off to your nearest e-waste recycler and keep those precious metals and toxic chemicals out of landfill. Check your local council for drop off spots.
• Hate buying for every single one of your 74 person extended family? Do an Op Shop Kris Kringle! You only have to buy for one person and you can make it fun by searching for great second hand items! It is a really fun time, and best part is you don’t have to purchase new gifts that use virgin resources. If you don’t like your gift, just take it back to your local op shop.
• BONUS POINTS: Think about buying less this year and check out our post on the benefits of keeping a minimalist wardrobe for some inspiration. However, if you can’t help yourself, find a local charity that can distribute gifts to some families or children less fortunate than yourself.

Look I know that it seems there is a lot to think about when you are considering your waste footprint…and that’s because there is! But most waste can be easily diverted with a little thought and planning. If we all have a crack at reducing our waste just a little this christmas, together we can have a massive impact! Let us know in the comments if you have any more links or tips to help other festive waste warriors! But most importantly…have yourself a merry (waste-free) christmas!!

Editor’s note: images via Unsplash.

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Unfortunately, the flow of waste into our environment is made up of millions of single-use items that could largely be avoided with a little forethought. As fashion and earth conscious readers here at Good on You, I know you are excited to reduce your impact on the environment. Below are some easy ways to swap those common single-use items for more sustainable and reusable options! Read on. I got your back!

When You Are Out and About

Most of the single-use traps are set when we are caught up in our daily routines at work, or out and about on the weekends. A bottle of water here, a take-away coffee there, then wash it all down with an overly priced cocktail not so elegantly presented with a plastic straw. Well here are some alternatives to these easy to grab single-use items:

Plastic straws

First of all, do your best to say no to plastic straws in the first place. Unless you have a medical condition or disability that makes plastic straws necessary, just say no. They are a massive nuisance on our beaches and are a common death trap for marine life (especially turtles). If you are a real straw fanatic, bring your own stainless steel or glass straw and whip it out whenever you sit down for a refreshing drink on the go. Check out this amazing cafe who swapped plastic straws for Pasta Straws! Awesome!

Take-away coffee cups

The billions of (mostly unrecyclable) coffee cups that we dispose of each year have been well documented. Considering the massive environmental impact they have and how easy a swap it is, there is no excuse to not bring your own reusable. For a sustainable and aesthetic looking reusable coffee cup check out Keep Cups, SoL cups, Joco cups, or Frank Green. If you are really looking for something unique, check out Pottery for the Planet for a handmade ceramic coffee cup that is sure to turn some heads! And for all you coffee fanatics who are interested in sustainability, be sure to check out GOY’s article on your morning latte.

Plastic water bottles

There is literally zero upside to buying your water in plastic. The expense, the waste, the resources required to make the bottle, the chemicals etc. Just buy a reusable water bottle and be done with it. It will quickly become your little sidekick and most treasured daily carry item. There are thousands of different water bottles out there, but if you like something with a little more design and consciousness, check out Alex, Cheeki, and 24Bottles.

Plastic bags

The threat of plastic bags on our environment and marine life in particular has been a major topic of discussion over the last few years. France and Italy have banned lightweight plastic bags, along with California, some states in Australia, and soon, New Zealand. In England, a 5p charge on plastic bags has seen usage drop 85% and there are varying levels of charges or bans in place across the USA and Europe.To avoid getting stuck at the grocer without a bag, or to avoid those thick plastic bags at your favourite department store, bring a tote bag (check ecobags) with you everywhere! You never know when you might need one, and you will feel like a better human being saying no to those dreadful plastic bags!

What About in your Home?

Your home, and in particular your kitchen, can be a hub of single-use items. Think food packaging, glad wrap/cling film/shrink wrap, toilet paper, disposable dinnerware (I do hope not!), and nappies (for those of you with young children). Luckily, there are a suite of options for those of you who want to go the extra mile and swap some of these for reusable options.

Food packaging

Nearly everything you purchase from a typical supermarket is concealed in a pretty package that is destined for the bin after a single use. Even some of the fresh fruit and veggies from my local supermarkets are pre-cut and placed on a plastic tray with some plastic wrap. Convenience…maybe. A totally unnecessary use of landfill destined waste….absolutely! Be a legend and avoid those like the plague! For your other groceries, bulk food stores allow you to fill up your own containers with dry goods, oils, and cleaning products package free! Awesome.

Plastic wrap

For those food wrap aficionados amongst us, I have a couple easy peasy swaps that will have you give up the cling wrap life forever. Enter the wax wrap. Wax wraps are grippy waxy squares of different sizes that can wrap around your left overs and keep them fresh in the fridge until your next meal. If you don’t want to fork out the cash for a set of these, you can get really creative and make your own. Alternatively, just buy a set of glass tupperware or collect come large glass jars and be done with it!

Toilet paper and nappies

All I want to say here is that it is worth your while to check out Who Gives A Crap. They specialise in recycled fibre and bamboo toilet paper and deliver it to your door in a plastic free and recyclable cardboard box. Essentially, you no longer need to cut down precious trees to wipe your b****m (and they donate 50% of profits to WaterAid). Lastly, for those of you who are expecting a little one, or who have a child of nappy wearing age, you can have a hugely positive impact on the environment by using reusable nappies. The amount of disposable nappies that end up in landfill is eye opening (about 20 billion a year in the USA, three billion in the UK, two billion in Australia). Reusable nappies have come a long way since your parents, or your parents parents used them, so do a google search and find a company that resonates with you. As parents of a 4 month old, we decided to purchase GroVia nappies and we haven’t looked back!

A Final Word

If you are excited by these suggestions and are looking for more ways to reduce your plastic footprint, or you want a one stop shop for single-use replacements, check out these three great websites; Ethical Superstore, GreenShop,  Biome, Flora and Fauna, and Seed & Sprout.

Have you started switching to reusable items? What single-use items do you find the hardest to stop using? Let us know in the comments if you have any tips that were not covered in this article!

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What is PVC/Vinyon and how is it made?

Now I understand you might not want to endure a serious chemistry lesson (*shivers from the painful memories of my Year 11 chemistry class) but here’s the science bit.  PVC is made by reacting chlorine, carbon, and ethylene (a petrol product) together to create a compound called Vinyl Chloride Monomer, or VCM. The VCM then undergoes a process called polymerisation, which results in a base PVC. The base PVC looks like a white powder or pellet which is then ready for one of a suite of additives that transform the material into its desired shape and texture i.e. underground pipe, window frames, pencil cases, or clothing. Transforming base PVC into clothing requires plasticisers, usually in the form of phthalates, which are clear, oily liquids that help the plastic go soft and flexible enough to simulate a textile.

Quite simply, PVC is a petrochemical product that is heavily processed from start to finish and can take an enormous variety of forms. Vinyon, as the textile derivative of PVC, is popular for its weather-resistant qualities in coats, jackets, and even skiing equipment, artificial leathers, or fetish fashion!

So what are the environmental and ethical costs?

Being a reader here at Good on You and a savvy and sustainable fashionista, you may have an inkling that any fibre made with petrochemicals is generally an unsustainable choice. And I would agree! The Made-By Benchmark for Fibres doesn’t even list PVC or Vinyon in their matrix of assessable fibres. PVC/Vinyon requires oil to extract the base components and lots of energy to react the chemicals together. That means it’s hugely reliant on fossil fuels -which we as a society are desperately trying to turn our backs on. Couple that with the potential health risks of Phthalates, and the overwhelming pressure of plastic waste on our Oceans  – the bottom line is, for a sustainable wardrobe, avoid PVC!

What are the alternatives to PVC?

Natural Rubber or Latex

Believe it or not, natural rubber/latex (as opposed to synthetic rubber) used to be the go-to material before PVC came along. Natural rubber comes from trees found mainly in parts of South America, Africa, and South-east Asia. To extract the milky-white latex fluid, the trees are “tapped” and left to repair over a period of months or years. Natural rubber is free from the chemical load of PVC and performs just as well, especially for water-resistant applications. Just be aware that natural rubber can be linked to deforestation, so look for products that promote sustainable production processes.

Learn more about sustainable and ethical materials.

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Coffee. That liquid gold that starts the world’s engine every morning, mid-morning, lunchtime, early afternoon and any time in between. Every morning I brew a fresh cup from my espresso machine, and enjoy 20 minutes of pure bliss.

And this ritual is only becoming more popular every year, in cafes, homes and workplaces. Americans lead the world in coffee consumption, with 400 million cups of the stuff brewed daily, while 85% of Canadian adults are coffee drinkers.  In Australia alone, we drink 16.3 million cups of the stuff every day! That’s a lot of caffeinated people and a lot of pressure on our environment and coffee farmers around the world.

But don’t despair – you don’t have to go without your daily coffee to do your part for the environment and for workers. All you need to do is to stick to the following guidelines that will help you make a more ethical and sustainable choice for your morning brew.

Consider the four coffee LAWS:

L is for Labour.

An overwhelming majority of the world’s coffee is grown in developing countries in South

America, Africa, and South-East Asia, where the pressures to reduce costs can lead to labour abuse.

Consumers in developed can pay as much as $4-$5 for a cup, while farmers receive as little as 3 cents. When purchasing your coffee, look out for the Fairtrade certification which supports ethical labour practices and ensures that the farmers have received a fair price for their product.

A is for Agricultural practices

Higher demand results in larger coffee plantations that significantly contribute to the deforestation of valuable tropical rainforests, collapsing ecosystems and destroying biodiversity. Mix deforestation with a cocktail of cheap synthetic pesticides and herbicides, and water catchments and soils become polluted as well. Look for coffee that is certified organic and/or Rainforest Alliance certified, which helps ensure the long-term economic health of forest communities by protecting their soils and ecosystems.

 W is for Waste

Australia alone sends one billion un-recyclable takeaway coffee cups to rot in landfill every year, each of which requires precious resources to produce. If there is one easy thing you can do right now, it is to choose a reusable coffee cup and use it everyday. Or simply find a spare ten minutes in your day to sit down in your favourite cafe and have your coffee in an old-school ceramic mug that will be washed and reused. Check out responsiblecafes.org to find coffee shops that provide discounts for BYO cups.

If you are a home barista that is thinking about getting a pod machine, stop! Those pods are an environmental disaster. It estimates to take 150 to 500 years for aluminium and plastic capsules to breakdown in landfill.  But if you already have a pod machine that you can’t bear to part with just yet, all is not lost – try recycling the pods.  In most states of the US Nespresso has a free recycling program with UPS.  In Australia, you can purchase a Zero Waste Box from TerraCycle, fill it with your old coffee pods, and send it back to TerraCycle for recycling.

S is for Supply chain

Lastly, consider the distance your coffee travels across the world to get to you. Climate change is one of the the biggest challenges of our time, so by reducing your own carbon footprint by  consuming local coffee when possible, you’re not only benefiting the planet, but also local industries. Farmers in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and even California are growing the crop, while Australia has some great coffee growing regions on the northern coast of NSW and tropical north Queensland. So if you can, why not pick up a bag of home-grown beans?

And there you have it – four easy LAWS you can follow in order to become a more conscious coffee consumer. Next time you’re craving a cup, just remember the following:

Labour, Agricultural practices, Waste, Supply chain

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