Five simple steps to make yourself more sustainable

1. Five simple steps to make yourself more sustainable

2. Sustainable living requires instilling a conscious effort in lifestyle changes that positively impact the environment. However, merely choosing green fabrics isn’t sufficient for reducing wastage and curbing environmental damage.  • Rest assured various aspects of your life contribute to your carbon footprint. You can optimize your consumer choices in the following ways for ensuring greater sustainability.  • 1. Smarter fashion purchases • Buy recyclable and reusable clothes, which are organic and will last longer than artificial and chemically processed fabrics. There are always less privileged people who can use your hand-me-downs.  • You can repurpose non-organic fabrics instead of putting them in a landfill, where they will not degrade without causing environmental harm.  • Given the high-water levels, labour, and manufacturing costs, you should invest in vintage clothing rather than buying new pieces. • 2. The 30 Wears Test • You can reduce consumption by purchasing trans-seasonal, multi-purpose clothing artifacts. Instead of buying multiple fashion or seasonal pieces, you should buy eco-friendly fabric made garments that can serve you multiple times a year.  • As a standard rule, follow the ’30 Wears test’ where you purchase clothes you can wear at least 30 times. It is more prudent to invest your money for multiple limited-use clothes on quality organic fashion fit for prolonged use. Quality over quantity is the idea.

3. 3. Ethically sourced animal-derived fashion • It’s no secret that animals are still mass-bred for their fur, silk, leather, and wool. You must consider ethically sourced animal-derived fashion if you must consume it at all. Plus, you must join the global effort to boycott endangered species-derived fashion.  • Opting for sustainable fabrics to substitute the use of animal-derived fashion is the best course forward. On the contrary, some brands repurpose animal remains for style after their natural demise.  • 4. Investigate the source of your wardrobe • Dig deeper to discover how a label purchases and obtains its raw materials. Is it ethically sourced? Does the label follow green logistics processes? Is it a certified fair-trade organization? • As a buyer, you can help sustain quality fashion while conserving the environment. The fundamental practice is to boycott brands that don’t adhere to environmentally conscious trade practices while empowering sustainable clothing brands.  • 5. Pay attention to labels • Pay close attention to your favourite clothing labels. Many brands, especially with the boom of eCommerce, capitalize on the eco-friendlytag. Find out which of them are sourcing their inventory sustainably.  • A genuine, nature-friendly brand will have a GOTS certification or similar accreditation. VCI Exports is one such India-based brand that only deals in organic, green fabric products.