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Textile waste has been an often overlooked polluter and component of landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average North American throws away 68 lbs of clothing yearly. In 2008 approximately 12.4 million tonnes of textiles were created, and this number keeps growing. Without improving sustainability practices, textile recycling, and turning towards more eco-friendly […]

Thrift shopping is a great option for those wishing to expand their wardrobes on a budget.  However it’s important to keep in mind that not all secondhand items are worth buying. Fabrics and other materials wear differently over time, and since most thrift store items have been worn it’s important to keep in mind that

Multinational product manufacturers are coming to the realization that effective sustainability strategies are needed. While the world today still emphasizes making a profit, recent analyses of consumer trends say that a “green shift” is a necessity. While all industries are dealing with this change, the textile industry is known for being unsustainable. Manufacturing new textile

Every year 85 countries worldwide produce more than 25 million tons of cotton. While cotton is important to many economies, it can also have a harsh impact on the environment. For instance, about 10% of all agricultural chemicals used go to the cotton sector. Currently organic cotton only makes up 1% of the total global

Fast fashion, which has been gaining momentum for many years, has recently appeared to be slowing down.  It’s surprising how little we know about where our clothes come from, who made them, and what they’re made of.  Just because something is cheap doesn’t necessarily mean it has good value. In many countries where fast fashion

The circular economy is the backbone of the used goods industry, and a source of opportunity for the textiles sector. By adopting circular thinking, studies by UK organization WRAP show global economic opportunity worth $700 billion for the consumer goods sector as a whole. So what exactly is the circular economy? Essentially, a circular economy

Great news for fashion loving environmentalists! It’s possible to uphold eco-friendly values and still look fashionable. Most people believe that the best way to get runway styles in their closet is to buy fast fashion, but fast fashion generates a cycle of waste and consumption that strains the environment. Fast fashion is also harmful for

The Karuna Orphanage provides food, shelter, clothing and basic education for 50 girls and is supported by the local community. Bank and Vogue, an Ottawa based company, up-cycles clothing in a factory nearby and has committed to supporting Karuna to offer better quality education and increase the number of girls they can serve. Bank and Vogue provides English lessons one day per week, as well

As parents prepare to send their children to head back to school they are also preparing for the cost of necessary clothing and school supplies.  Clothing is one of the biggest expenses for parents at the start of the school year, but it doesn’t have to be!  Shopping thrift is an easy way to let

Today the fashion industry is saturated with terms such as fair fashion, ethical fashion, eco-fashion, sustainable fashion, and much more. But what do these terms actually mean, and how are they different? In order to have a positive impact on the fashion industry, it’s important to understand how it operates at a social and human