The textile industry accounts for 20% of the worlds water pollution, including 2.6% of that being entirely from cotton farming. Not only is it destroying waterways, but the use of pesticides and GMO's are destroying our environment and causing very serious health issues for us. Many of the garment manufacturers pay their workers extremely low wages (as low as $2 a day) and also work in disgusting hot, humid and unsafe factories (The Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh killed 1,134 workers in 2013). Worse still, these factories used toxic chemicals to spray our clothing, which not only are the garment workers exposed to on a daily basis, but our children who are wearing these clothes are also being exposed to these toxic chemicals.
Whilst all of this is absolutely horrible, what can we do about it? As a consumer, every dollar you spend is a kind of vote of what you value. When you spend money at a small business or a local farmer market you are saying that you value these businesses and their ethos. What are we saying when we buy from huge department stores?
But it is too easy to simply say we should stop buying cheap clothing from department stores and other fast fashion brands because the reality is, with the cost of living being so ridiculously high, the average Australian family can't afford to buy organic, fair trade clothing.
Or can they? Our guide is here to help so that you can feel happy and safe knowing that you and your family are not contributing to the insane amount of textile waste or pollution and are also standing up for workers rights across the globe.
Tip 1 - Buy Second Hand - You can buy quality, beautiful clothing from op shops, buy & sell groups, eBay and Gumtree for really affordable prices. Second hand definitely does not mean second best and you can buy high end label clothing very cheaply. Buying second hand means the demand for new clothing reduces and less clothing ends up in landfill
Tip 2 - Wait for your favourite ethical brands to go on sale - Most brands have a clearance sale at the end of each season, so it's a great idea to buy when they are sale and save a few dollars. Sign up for their emails or follow them on social media to find out when the sales are on. Many shops also offer layby or buy now and pay later deals which means you can split the cost out.
Tip 3 - Buy once and buy well - When you buy quality, well-made clothing, it lasts for years, so buying quality and unisex clothing means you pass them down child after child and not need to buy new clothing over and over again. Even swap with friends and family!
Tip 4 - Buy in bigger sizes - If you see a great bargain on clothing that is too big for your child just yet, grab it anyway and keep it for later. Buying in advance is a great way of accumulating affordable clothing
Tip 5 - Buy handmade clothing or make them yourself - Markets are filled with gorgeous handmade clothing these days and are usually well-prices and well-made. Handy with a sewing machine? Simply make them yourself! Making clothes is quite simple if you follow a pattern and is very rewarding. It also lessens the demand for new, cheap clothing.
So there you have it, a guide on sustainable shopping for kids without breaking the bank. What are your favourite ethical brands? We would love to know!
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