Reconsider fast fashion when holiday shopping. Cheap, mass-produced clothes make it easy to buy trendy items that get discarded after a season or two, but the environmental costs are steep.
In addition to the sheer volume of clothing that ends up in landfills, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions each year. Synthetic clothes often contain microplastics, along with dyes and chemicals, that make their way into our water supply and pose a danger to marine life.
When shopping for clothes, opt for quality over quantity and choose items that are sustainably made and built to last. Do laundry only as often as necessary, using an eco-friendly detergent, and consider repairing clothes that are torn or missing buttons. Whenever possible, purchase used items and donate what you no longer wear.