January: New Year, New Habits!

Dear reader,

Welcome to our third journal on the topic of textiles. This month we’ll explore our relationship with clothes and discover new, sustainable habits.

A new year is often a chance to make changes in our lives, start with a clean slate and try new things Let's take this opportunity to explore new habits and changes that are helping to reduce our carbon footprint, create a more sustainable planet, and minimize waste.

Awareness and Clothing

Have you ever paused to consider the sheer volume of clothes in your wardrobe? How many do you actually wear regularly, and how many are simply there out of habit or emotional attachment? How often do you purchase new items, and why do you have the clothes you have?

The truth is, many of us own far more clothes than we truly need, and the impact of overconsumption goes well beyond just creating waste—it significantly harms the environment.

In recent years, more people have begun to realize the environmental toll of their clothing choices. As a result, many are making a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprint by changing how they approach fashion. But why focus on clothing? The fashion industry is responsible for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions—between 4% and 8.6%, according to experts.

To put it in perspective: it takes 3,781 liters of water to produce just one pair of jeans—from growing the cotton to delivering the finished product to the store. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The production process also contributes to pollution through textile manufacturing, dyeing, and the microplastics that ultimately end up in our oceans.

Unfortunately, the entire lifecycle of clothingfrom its production to eventual disposal—is largely unregulated, resulting in widespread pollution, waste, and the exploitation of both people and the planet. But there’s hope. In recent years, new movements have emerged that are challenging these harmful practices and encouraging us to rethink how we consume fashion.

Now let's test your knowledge taking a quiz about this topic:

Here are some tips on how to change your shopping habits and care for your clothes, so we can make a positive impact toward a more sustainable lifestyle.

New Habits to Embrace and our challenges of the month:

One of the most effective ways to combat overconsumption and the creation of a lot of waste is to reconsider how much we actually need in our wardrobes.

Here are some ideas and challenges you can incorporate into your own life and that you can challenge yourself:

  • Clothing Minimalism: Consider adopting a minimalist wardrobe that focuses on fewer, higher-quality items that you truly love and wear.
  • The Rule of 5: Limit yourself to buying only 5 pieces of clothes a year and see what you will choose.
  • Capsule Wardrobe: Build a small, versatile collection of clothes that you can easily mix and match, reducing the need for excessive purchases.

Challenging the norm: 

Do we really need to wear a new outfit for every important occasion? Normalize repeating outfits, styling the item in many different ways and combining it with various other pieces.

  • Clothing Libraries: Check out local clothing libraries or exchanges, where you can borrow clothes for special occasions, reducing the need for constant buying.
  • Low Wash / No Wash: Consider washing your clothes less frequently to extend their life and reduce water consumption.

      Tell us which of these challenges you are going to try and share with us!

      Don't forget, every choice counts. By making small, mindful changes today, you help create a more sustainable future for fashion and the planet!

      Hi everyone! I’m Marilia, and I volunteer at Udruga Vestigium, where I write projects, coordinate, and facilitate activities. I’m passionate about reducing waste and finding everyday solutions to decrease our carbon footprint. Since joining this project, I’ve learned a great deal about the textile industry and its environmental impact, which has motivated me to share important information about clothing awareness.

      Over the next three newsletters, I hope to inspire you with tips on how to reduce clothing purchases, what to do with clothes instead of tossing them, how to create new items from old fabrics, and how to develop sustainable habits!

      See you next month!

      Marilia 

      Author

      You were wondering what else we've been up to? 

      Advent Workshop at Szatyor

      On December 8th, Szatyor hosted a Zero Waste Advent event where people got together to make Christmas ornaments made out of materials they had left at home or we had at the association. 

      This event was also the occasion to have a winter clothing swap for everyone to declutter their wardrobes and find new treasures to wear this holiday season. 

      The food and company were great and we were so happy to show that it is possible to get into the Christmas spirit in a sustainable way

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