Ethical Fashion: How Green Are Your Costumes?
23-12-15
It is estimated that more than 1 million tons of textiles are thrown away every year in Asia. At least 50% of the textiles we throw away are recyclable. However, the textile wastes reused or recycled annually in Hong Kong is only a pitiful 20%. Why is this number so low? There are fabric recycling bins all over town!
There are Four Ways of Recycling Your Costumes:
- Using fabric composed of recycled fibres or products- recycled polyster made from used drinking bottles or fabrics made from recycled yarns
- Upcycling- using unwanted factory surpluses, offcuts or materials which would otherwise be thrown away
- Recycling or customising clothing- taking second hand clothing and re-fashioning or repairing it so it is given a second life
- Clothes swaps with your friends.
Fabrics made from recycled items are now becoming more commonplace with recycled polyester made from recycled drinks bottles now being made by companies such as Patagonia , H&M, Marks and Spencer, and Armani jeans.
Armani jeans were the first to incorporate eco fabrics and design starting in the 80’s. Their first eco project started in 1995 with the development of a process to recycle denim. This was revolutionary for the time and the jeans were displayed at the Science and Technology Museum of Milan.This experimentation has continued with the production of an organic knitwear range, the use of pure alpaca and the engagement with fair-trade cotton projects in Peru and Bolivia and recycled polyester. H&M has saved money and raised their profile with their hugely popular Conscious Collection.
Some fashion businesses use fabric waste generated during the manufacturing process or material that has been designated as unusable due to minor faults. Anything can be used and reused… Except styrofoam. That stuff is horrible for environment and only has one use.
Find out if you brand is green: Join the Fashion Revolution!
Fashion is art and we know that the most beautiful art is the one that helps us keep our planet beautiful!
And here’s 7 Eco-Friendly Fashion Brands You Should Know!
Have any questions about where to donate used costumes or how to buy used items in Hong Kong? Contact us!