Our tips- When buying textiles, look for seals that guarantee environmental and social standards. – Buy cotton textiles in organic quality ("organic cotton"). – Buy clothing from secondhand or trade clothes. – Rent clothes for one-off occasions such as weddings, parties and celebratory events. – Wear your clothes as long as possible. – Have your clothes repaired by tailors or shoemakers if they are worn out or defective. – Pass on unused clothing or dispose of it properly. Question fashion trends. Be critical of fast fashion. If necessary, discuss this with your children.
Know how
Clothes make the man, and German consumers are the frontrunners when it comes to buying new clothes. In this country, an average of 26 kilograms of textiles are purchased each year, of which 12 to 15 kilograms are clothing. By way of comparison, the global average is 8 kilograms per year. The production of textiles has ecological and social implications. Pesticides used in the cultivation of cotton, chemicals used in further processing, and CO2 generated by the use of energy all have a negative impact on the environment. In addition, in some production countries work is done under unsocial working conditions (many overtime hours, low wages, no union organization). With our tips, you can help to counteract the abuses and reduce the burden on the environment – without sacrificing fashion-conscious clothing.
Look for seals: Those who look for recommended and independent seals when buying clothing help to ensure that higher wages are paid and the environment is less polluted. Unfortunately, the seal market for clothing is (still) very confusing. A first and relatively simple step is therefore to look for organic quality in cotton textiles. Organic cotton clothing comes in a fashionable variety. In (almost) all price categories. They are now available not only from specialist suppliers, but also from large textile retailers. Mostly they are marked and advertised with in-house labels. The laundry list should state "made from x% organically grown cotton". Furthermore, you should buy clothes that are labeled with a recommendable seal. The information portal Siegelklarheit evaluates the seals for their credibility, environmental friendliness as well as social compatibility. Particularly recommendable, with a relatively high market availability, are for example the GOTS seal (Global Organic Textile Standard) as well as "bluesign® PRODUCT" for outdoor clothing. Other seals explained in more detail in the portal Siegelklarheit and classified as very good are: