For almost every single industry, going green is the new black, and while reusable shopping bags and organic ethical brands in the clothing industry certainly do their part, meeting climate and environmental goals has more to do with collective small adjustments and discipline than drastic frugality and sacrifices, but we can’t make the right changes without understanding the unseen ways in which we rely on our natural resources. One key ingredient that doesn’t show up on your Jeans’ label is water.
It takes approximately 7,600 litters of water to make one pair of traditional cotton jeans¹
That includes growing the cotton and the manufacturing process, but it doesn’t include the water that you’ll use to care for your jeans over time. This water footprint problem is no small thing.
According to a 2010 study, the average woman owns seven pairs of denim. Seven! And even though women own an average of seven pairs of jeans they tend to only wear four or less on a regular basis according to the survey. I personally spend at least 50 percent of the time, wearing jeans, but I usually rotate between the same two pairs. Having said that, I used to have a drawer with at least 20 pairs in it!
The Jean culture can be a real thing. Whilst going on a long-term shopping freeze will definitively show awareness and appreciation for the planet we share, fashion and our Jeans consumption habits do not have to be at variance with the environment all the time. With both our passion for Jeans and the earth in mind, here’s five simple ways to be a more sustainable blue jeans aficionado:
Make Jeans last and don’t chase trends
Buying classic styles instead of the Jeans of the moment gives each piece a longer lifespan, at least in the eyes of the fashion industry.
A handful of denim fits have dominated the industry since its inception. Get a good quality pair of your most flattering style and you will notice that you will not gravitate towards anything else in your closet! As long as you stay disciplined, shopping for sustainable high quality brands could reduce your impact versus chasing every fleeting trend. Ultimately, you should be buying less but better. More versatile styles are the way to go.
Take care of your Jeans
It takes a lot of energy to grow, manufacture and transport those classic styles—but did you know that the most energy goes into caring for them? Whether it’s reducing waste, saving energy, or being a conscious consumer, small actions can make a big difference. Think about ways that you could save energy and water.
Simply Suzette has created a handy list of some of the more responsible ways to wash and care for your jeans, so they will last you a lifetime while saving water at the same time! For more details, check out How to Care for Your Jeans
Grab those back-closet Jeans and give them a second life
What about when your Jeans are looking more sixth-hand than second-hand? To help keep clothing in our daily use and out of landfills, Levi’s is partnering with Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green™ program, an initiative focused on recycling denim. You can drop off any denim from any brand at most Levi’s stores and outlets and they’ll make sure it stays out of a landfill and will recycle them to be used as materials for building insulation.
Head to your local Levi’s store to save 20% off a single item when you bring denim in for recycling.
Check the source
Being sustainable means more than using eco-friendly materials. Sustainability is about the lifecycle of the Jeans, from field to factory to consumer and beyond. Brands that live their values should be transparent about the people and places in their supply chain.
Take DL1961 for instance, they use organic cotton, as well as more energy efficient fibres that require less water than cotton. They also use renewable energy to run all of their facilities and have a water recycling system in-house.
Be More Picky About All Your Purchases
How many T-shirts can one person have? How many jackets do you actually wear? How much of your wardrobe will truly last? After years of collecting piece after piece, I now try to ask myself three questions before making a fast fashion impulse buy: Do I really need it? Will I wear it more than 30 times? Is it timeless? We the consumers are the critical piece when it comes to sustainability.
Have more ideas of curbing your clothing and Jeans consumption habits? Let us know them in the comments below.
2 Comments
Great article. I never knew this!!!!
It’s truly interesting. So much to learn about the harms denim/fashion has on the planet and make some changes ❤️