Ignore ‘New Season’ and Black Friday Clothes
The clothing industry creates a colossal amount of waste, with most major brands having new seasonal pieces, rather than classic staples. This is to encourage you to buy more clothing than you need.
Even M & S (likely the most ethical of the high street fashion brands) has faced criticism, for its ‘take-back scheme’, where you get discounts on new items, for returning unwanted clothing. So-called ‘shwopping’ is kind of greenwash, as it encourages you to buy more clothing than you need.
When AirTags (vets say they should not be used to find lost pets, due to batteries) were attached to some clothing in take-back schemes, a Dutch NGO found that most items were scrapped or burned or even dumped in Mali, rather than ending up in thrift shops.
Black Friday is a worldwide day when big discounts are given. But this can create a kind of ‘consumer frenzy’ that again massively contributes to fashion waste.
Many stores have sale racks packed with clothes that people buy ‘just because they are cheap’. Around 80% of Black Friday fashion purchases end up in landfill.
Instead, take your time to find quality sustainable clothing to mix and match, and you’ll likely also save money in the long-run.
Good on You recommends giving up Black Friday, and swapping to the worldwide Good Tuesday movement, where people take a day out each year to volunteer to do good in communities.
Will’s Vegan Shoes (who also makes bags) refuses to participate in Black Friday or any sales. Instead, he makes quality footwear that lasts for years and 365-money-back guarantees, sold in zero waste packaging. His footwear costs more because it’s quality and made fairly, and lasts.
