GET EDUCATED!
Issues in the fashion industry
Putting the environmental impact aside, fast fashion is destructive & corrupt. Fast fashion exploits foreign countries such as Taiwan, Bangladesh and China. This sometimes means child labour. The workers are sometimes paid as low as 1 cent per hour and have to work 100 hours a week. Those are some of the few very dangerous and unsustainable working conditions.
How YOU can help: research brands before making purchases, check for fair trade, spread the word about ethical fashion.
It might not be easy but one small step is better than none!
How much water is used in the making of your clothes?
As many people already know, the fast fashion industry is a massive water pollutant. But that's not all. So much water is wasted and used for the making of ONE pair of jeans or t-shirt. 2700 litres of water is needed to grow enough cotton for a t-shirt; the water used during production is not accounted in that number. On top of that, 7200 litres of water is needed to grow enough cotton for a pair of jeans; again the water used for the production is not accounted for in that number. If you are shocked by this number, you are not the only one.
How YOU can help: try to avoid shopping fast fashion. You can get a great pair of jeans or a t-shirt from a thrift store, or from people you know, and if you "need" to buy it, make sure it's from an ethical and sustainable brand that produces its items through a sustainable process. (You can check out our home page for brands that have amazing and ethical products)
Bamboo vs. plastic toothbrush
The only difference between a bamboo and a plastic toothbrush is the material of the handle. One is plastic, the other bamboo. The bristles on bamboo toothbrushes also contain some plastic (nylon), however it is far less plastic than plastic toothbrushes - made entirely of plastic. In addition, bamboo toothbrushes have a much smaller ecological footprint. This is due to the fact that bamboo grows quickly and requires almost no care, so its production is also very eco-friendly. Dentists also state that it doesn't matter if the toothbrush used is plastic or bamboo, as the bristles are not damaging to the teeth. So overall, bamboo toothbrushes are better for the environment.
Here are some link where you can purchase bamboo toothbrushes: https://thebamboobrushsociety.com (Europe); https://www.floraandfauna.com.au (Australia); https://www.brushwithbamboo.com (US).
Of course there are many more stores, these are simply suggestions (no affiliation).