You may get a lot of joy from styling your well-curated wardrobe, and there’s no denying clothes can be a fun way for your kids to define their personalities. But there’s no getting away from the fact the materials and processes that go into making clothes can often be harmful to the planet, and that an incredible 350,000 tonnes of clothes end up in landfill each year*. Not only that, but there can also be serious ethical issues around the working conditions of the people who make fast fashion clothing.
The problem is, when you’re dressing a family with kids growing out of their school trousers in a matter of months or always ripping t-shirts and jeans through misadventure, you can get through a lot of clothing in a short amount of time, and it can be hard always making sustainable choices. Happily, though, Ecover and Little Miss Waste Less have a few suggestions for how you can take a few easy steps to waste less.
Has a button fallen off? Is there a rip in the elbow or a tear in the knee? Whether it’s a cardigan or shirt, dungarees or pair of trousers, don’t throw it away. Just like Little Miss Waste Less repairs the holes in her socks, you can give any piece of clothing a second chance by getting the needle and thread out. A button is simple to sew back on and only takes a couple of minutes. You might be intimidated by the thought of tackling a bigger repair job, but you’ll find plenty of online guides on how to go about it. Plus, traditional Japanese sashiko-style visible mending is having a moment, so why not pick a bright coloured or patterned patch and use lovely yarn and different stitches to playfully bring an item back to life?
Don’t be like Mr. Fussy and automatically wash an item just because it’s been worn once. Your clothes will thank you for it because they’ll last longer – clothes washed regularly in the washing machine can quickly lose their colour and shape and look more worn – and using your machine less will save energy too. A sweaty gym kit may be the exception, but most clothing left out to air overnight after use will smell fresh by the morning and be good to go for another wear at least (jeans, can be worn 3-10 times on average before needing to be washed). If something has a stain, simply spot clean it by hand instead of throwing the whole thing into the laundry basket.
When you do need to wash something, try to put full loads into your washing machine as much as possible to avoid doing lots of small washes (your palm should still be able to fit between the wall of the drum and your clothes). Set the wash on a low temperature to use less energy, and make sure to use a laundry detergent made with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients, like Ecover’s, which can also be refilled to help you cut down on your plastic waste. Once the wash is over, aim to dry your laundry on the line in the garden or on a drying rack in the house, instead of using a power-hungry tumble dryer, which can also make clothes lose their shape and look worn. If you must use the tumble dryer, using rubber dryer balls can reduce the time you need to keep it running.
Put a little more thought into your purchases and buy from smaller, independent brands that are committed to kinder practices. While the clothing may cost a bit more than that of some high street brands, it’s likely to be of a better quality and last much longer, making it a worthwhile investment. Little Miss Splendid loves to shop, but there are certain things she likes to look out for before buying.
Does the brand use recycled or sustainable raw materials such as organic cotton? Is their supply chain transparent? Do they use low-impact manufacturing techniques and where is the clothing made – is any of it made in the UK? Is the brand a Certified Living Wage employer? Is the packaging they use recycled or recyclable? Do they offer any kind of aftercare such as a repair service. When you’re well informed, it’s easy to make better choices.
Vintage has long been all the rage for adults, and with charity shops, a variety of re-sale websites and chic boutiques all selling pre-loved items, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Just remember it works both ways when you’re having a wardrobe clear-out – you could make some money by selling your old clothes on a re-sale site, and charities will be grateful for your donations, as long as they’re still in a wearable condition. If they’ve seen better days, recycle them so they can be transformed into something else (plenty of high street shops now have recycling drop-off points).
When it comes to fast-growing little ones, making the most of your hand-me-downs like Little Miss Waste Less is the way to go. Whether an item passes from your oldest to your youngest, or your baby has outgrown a romper suit that would be perfect for your cousin’s newborn, passing clothing on is a great way of saving money and ensuring it gets maximum use. Similarly, children’s clothes swaps are an opportunity for you to get rid of any unwanted items and pick up new ones for free. Some schools even run swapping schemes, which can be especially handy at the start of the school year when you need to get new uniforms for more than one child.
Read the new book with your little ones to discover how we can all waste a little bit less #OneLessThing
* https://clothesaid.co.uk/about-us/facts-on-clothes-recycling/
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