Plastic-free July: How can we collectively make a difference in the fashion industry
Here at Frame, we are all about Plastic Free July! It’s a great opportunity to review the way we live our lives, and look at ways we can become more sustainable. Recently, I (Rachel), upgraded my coffee keep-cup, after 4 years. It may not feel like you are doing much by ditching the takeaway cups and heralding your own, but I did the quick math and realised that on average, I have two coffees per day (every day), multiply that by 1,460 days over 4 years and I saved 2,920 coffee cups!
If we all do our bit, collectively we can start to make a difference. We’ve put together a few ideas on how you can get started on your plastic-free and sustainable journey:
Take on your beauty cupboard
The beauty industry demand keeps on growing, but the concern is that this industry is a critical contributor to the world's plastic waste problem. It may seem like there is little that you can do to contribute, but it is important to support brands and businesses that are doing the right thing.
2. “No reusable cup, no coffee”
It can be difficult to ditch takeaway cups because it almost seems easier to just throw them away. Following the motto “no reusable cup, no coffee” ensures that we save our environment from millions of takeaway cups that are entering our waste each year. Although it can be hard to remember your keep-cup when you are rushing out the door, investing in cute reusable cups that you fall in love with helps you to remember them.
3. Support brands who offer sustainable packaging
Like the beauty industry, fashion has been a contributing factor to a wasteful world. It is great to see New Zealand brands and businesses take the extra mile to do their part on this issue. Supporting brands who are taking the initiative to become sustainable is something small that you can do to make New Zealand plastic-free.
4. Recycle your clothes
Organise a clothes swap with your pals, drop your clothes off at a second-hand clothing boutique or even take your clothes to the tailors to be fixed up or modernised. There are so many different ways you can improve the life cycle of your pre-loved clothing.
Some of our favourite initiatives are:
The better packaging is a New Zealand Compost company who are focused on creating a better and more sustainable fashion industry. This range is made of corn starch which means that it dissolves in your compost box. 👍🏼
New Zealand fashion brand Maggie Marilyn has shown her support for sustainable fashion by basing their brand image on creating a better fashion industry. Similar to ComPOST Maggie Marilyn uses bioplastic packaging which allows the packaging to dissolve in water.
Reselling your clothing has skyrocketed in popularity over the last couple of years with concepts like Designer Wardrobe and Recycle Boutique making an impact. Designer brands are starting to follow this movement by creating their own versions of reselling. Kate Sylvester has created a pre-loved initiative that allows customers to find new homes for their preloved Kate Sylvester items. Ruby Boutique has created a different spin on a reselling initiative by creating Ruby Recycle. Throughout their travels, they have been purchasing vintage clothing and have been altering the item into something new. It is inspiring to see how you can continue the life of a piece of clothing by changing it from a dress into a top. These items are now available to purchase on their website. We would love to know your favourite reselling initiatives… let us know!
Image via Vogue