Plastic fantastic fashion
In the UK, we buy around two million tonnes of clothes every year. Just 25% of the clothes and textiles we throw away are reused or recycled. But a number of inspirational retailers and designers are now leading the way for eco fashion – saving fabric from landfill; customising clothes from charity shops into unique collections; using local resources; and even turning plastic bottles into school uniforms.
Gone are the days of itchy hemp jumpers and tie-dye
Today’s environmentally friendly clothes are stylish and comfortable. The latest trends, and inventive creations, are frequently seen at London Fashion Week, thanks to the eco sustainable initiative, Estethica.
And with many designers backing the campaign – it won’t be long before sustainable fashion becomes mainstream on the high street.
Buying recycled or re-used clothes reduces the need for landfill space
If everyone in the UK bought one reclaimed woollen garment a year, it would save an average of 371 million gallons of water – the average UK reservoir holds about 300 gallons!
Currently eco fashion only claims a tiny share of the market – estimated to be about 0.4% – but more and more retailers are adding eco-friendly lines.
Where to find eco fashion on the high street:
Smoothie bottle clothing at Marks and Spencer
M&S’s eco project Plan A introduced recycled plastic bottle fleeces in 2007 and a range of school clothing made from recycled plastic smoothie bottles in 2010.
Your clothes remade at TRAIDremade
TRAIDremade is an environmentally conscious fashion label launched in 2002 by high street charity shop TRAID. Designers work exclusively with old clothes and textiles donated to TRAID, to create original fashion gems.
Get hip at H&M
Renowned for their cheap stylish clothes, H&M’s Romantic Garden collection is made using organic and recycled materials. All the garments have been produced using sustainable materials or using recycled PET bottles or textile waste.
Upcycling at Tesco
Tesco aims to be a zero-carbon business by 2050 and if their recent upcycled fashion collection is anything to go by then they’re on the right track.
From Somewhere to F&F 2010, a six-piece collection made entirely from Tesco’s end-of line fabrics and damaged textiles, sees the supermarket giant collaborate with sustainable fashion label From Somewhere.
Orsola de Castro, From Somewhere and Esthetica founder and designer, said reclaiming and upcycling fabric should be made more accessible, and that any effort by huge retailers to take responsibility for their waste should be encouraged.
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and London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic
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