Clothing & Online Purchasing
Microfiber Pollution
Microfibers are tiny, microscopic particles of our clothing that are ending up in our waterways, oceans, and even our own bodies. Most of our clothing is made of synthetic materials such as polyester, a type of plastic. When we wash our clothes in the washing machine, tiny fibers of plastic from our clothes come off and wash down the drain with the waste water. Our current waste water treatment facilities are failing to capture these microfibers due to their extremely small size, which means that they are being deposited with the grey water into our waterways.
Microfiber collecting bag: http://guppyfriend.com/en/
Microfiber collecting ball utilizing biomimicry technology: https://coraball.com/
Installable washing machine filter to capture microfibers: https://www.septicsafe.com/
Microfibers are tiny, microscopic particles of our clothing that are ending up in our waterways, oceans, and even our own bodies. Most of our clothing is made of synthetic materials such as polyester, a type of plastic. When we wash our clothes in the washing machine, tiny fibers of plastic from our clothes come off and wash down the drain with the waste water. Our current waste water treatment facilities are failing to capture these microfibers due to their extremely small size, which means that they are being deposited with the grey water into our waterways.
Microfiber collecting bag: http://guppyfriend.com/en/
Microfiber collecting ball utilizing biomimicry technology: https://coraball.com/
Installable washing machine filter to capture microfibers: https://www.septicsafe.com/
Shop at Thrift Stores & Consignment Shops
Buying
Who says shopping for new clothes and accessories can't be sustainable?! By shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops, or other second hand clothing stores, you can give old clothes new life and find a new style to enjoy! Most of these types of shops will review the items being donated to ensure that they are still of good quality, so you can ensure that you will not be finding tattered or torn clothing. Many people get rid of their clothes simply because they have changed their style, changed sizes, or are trying to scale down on what they have. Many of my favorite clothes have been purchased at thrift stores. It's a guilt-free way of changing up your look, or finding the perfect outfit for that special event coming up! And, it's cheaper than buying your clothes new!
Selling / Donating
Consignment shops will often accept your old clothing, and give you store credit or cash for your unwanted apparel. Many of these types f shops require the items to be in style, and in good condition. It's a great option if you have things that don't fit anymore and are looking for a bit of a return on your investments! Who are we kidding, clothes are expensive! It's nice to get something in return.
If you have clothes, accessories, furniture, or other items that the consignment shops won't accept or that you don't mind giving up, donate them! Many places accept donations such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, and even many animal shelters! Animal shelters often have benefit shops, where they sell donated items to raise money for their animal care costs. Donating your old items will help support others who can't afford to buy things new. Many of these types of organizations are also charities, and use the money from selling donated items to give to churches, people in need,
Buying
Who says shopping for new clothes and accessories can't be sustainable?! By shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops, or other second hand clothing stores, you can give old clothes new life and find a new style to enjoy! Most of these types of shops will review the items being donated to ensure that they are still of good quality, so you can ensure that you will not be finding tattered or torn clothing. Many people get rid of their clothes simply because they have changed their style, changed sizes, or are trying to scale down on what they have. Many of my favorite clothes have been purchased at thrift stores. It's a guilt-free way of changing up your look, or finding the perfect outfit for that special event coming up! And, it's cheaper than buying your clothes new!
Selling / Donating
Consignment shops will often accept your old clothing, and give you store credit or cash for your unwanted apparel. Many of these types f shops require the items to be in style, and in good condition. It's a great option if you have things that don't fit anymore and are looking for a bit of a return on your investments! Who are we kidding, clothes are expensive! It's nice to get something in return.
If you have clothes, accessories, furniture, or other items that the consignment shops won't accept or that you don't mind giving up, donate them! Many places accept donations such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, and even many animal shelters! Animal shelters often have benefit shops, where they sell donated items to raise money for their animal care costs. Donating your old items will help support others who can't afford to buy things new. Many of these types of organizations are also charities, and use the money from selling donated items to give to churches, people in need,
Avoid online ordering and shipping
But Online Shopping Is So Convenient!
Buying things in person may not be as easy as just clicking a button online, but it's much more sustainable. When you have things shipped to you from other counties, states, and countries, this comes with a big environmental price tag.
Fossil Fuels
Shipping items around the world requires the use of fossil fuels to transport our goods. Fossil fuels used in global transport of goods emit large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air. This greenhouse gas has been produced in such a large quantity that it has caused a warming effect on the earth, and is warming our planet at an alarming rate. This disrupts all of Earth's natural processes, from ocean and wind currents to animal migrations. travelling a few miles to a local store to purchase your items uses far less resources and energy than shipping items from other places.
Packaging
Ordering packages online also comes with lots of packaging. Comapnies want to ensure that their products arrive at your doorstep in perfect condition. In order to accomplish this, they often use excessive amounts of packaging materials such as bubble wrap, paper, or polystyrene (styrofoam). These products often end up in a landfill, or as litter or pollution. This can be accidental; items like styrofoam packaging peanuts are very lightweight, and can blow away easily out of garbage cans, dumpsters, or landfills.
Alternative Ideas
When I have a very specific product I want to buy, I go online and do a little research. Chances are, the company that you would order your product from online also has a physical store nearby. I find the store selling my product at the cheapest rate, and go in person to purchase my product. Purchasing your goods from local vendors is also a great way to support local businesses in your community.
There are inevitibly times where online ordering may be your only opton. When this rings true, I try to save all of the packaging that I recieve, and store it so that I can use it later on. I use old shipping materials to send gifts and packages to my friends and family, and to ship products that people order off of my website.
But Online Shopping Is So Convenient!
Buying things in person may not be as easy as just clicking a button online, but it's much more sustainable. When you have things shipped to you from other counties, states, and countries, this comes with a big environmental price tag.
Fossil Fuels
Shipping items around the world requires the use of fossil fuels to transport our goods. Fossil fuels used in global transport of goods emit large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air. This greenhouse gas has been produced in such a large quantity that it has caused a warming effect on the earth, and is warming our planet at an alarming rate. This disrupts all of Earth's natural processes, from ocean and wind currents to animal migrations. travelling a few miles to a local store to purchase your items uses far less resources and energy than shipping items from other places.
Packaging
Ordering packages online also comes with lots of packaging. Comapnies want to ensure that their products arrive at your doorstep in perfect condition. In order to accomplish this, they often use excessive amounts of packaging materials such as bubble wrap, paper, or polystyrene (styrofoam). These products often end up in a landfill, or as litter or pollution. This can be accidental; items like styrofoam packaging peanuts are very lightweight, and can blow away easily out of garbage cans, dumpsters, or landfills.
Alternative Ideas
When I have a very specific product I want to buy, I go online and do a little research. Chances are, the company that you would order your product from online also has a physical store nearby. I find the store selling my product at the cheapest rate, and go in person to purchase my product. Purchasing your goods from local vendors is also a great way to support local businesses in your community.
There are inevitibly times where online ordering may be your only opton. When this rings true, I try to save all of the packaging that I recieve, and store it so that I can use it later on. I use old shipping materials to send gifts and packages to my friends and family, and to ship products that people order off of my website.