What can you do as an individual?

A lot of us are stuck in the mindset of "If I don't do anything, it wont make a difference", but if billions of people are saying the same thing, it does make a difference. And a lot of people don't actually know what they can do, but there is a lot that all of us can be doing to reduce our impact.

10 things you can be doing to reduce your impact.

1. Think before you buy. This is a very broad statement, but can be very easy to do. Look at what fabrics a brand uses, where does it come from? Who makes it? Is the fabric sustainably made? There are lots of questions you can ask yourself before you buy. It is very easy for us to checkout in a couple of clicks, especially when a website stores our card details. BUT if you think "Do I actually need this item?", because a lot of the time you don't!

2. Shop and buy second hand. You can download apps such as Depop and Vestiaire Collective. You can sell on clothes you no longer want and can buy clothes you do want. These tend to be at lower prices, so it is affordable and you can clean out your wardrobe while reducing your environmental impact. Why not visit your local charity shop and see what they have, or donate to them - this will both declutter your overly-full wardrobe, while helping those in need and the environment in one.

3. Re-use your clothes. If you can, re-design your clothes - there are lots of tutorials online including Youtube, so that you can turn garments from one thing to another. An example is turning leggings into a t-shirt, I have attached a video here. Even if you think this is something you can't do, why not give it a go?

4. Use a Guppy-bag. A Guppy-bag is used when washing your clothes to prevent microfibres and micro-plastics from entering the water cycle. When this happens, marine life can suffer from the intake of these fibres and it can even harm us as humans if we consume these animals, such as fish. This one small change to your washing habits can make such a big change. Some guppy bags can be a little expensive, but there are also cheaper alternatives - keep in mind this is a one time purchase which can have many benefits for a long time.

5. Wash at lower temperatures. Washing your clothes at a lower temperature allows the fabric to last longer and be taken care of, which means you will likely hold on to your clothes for longer.

6. Stop tumble-drying. Tumble drying both shrinks clothes and damages the fibres in clothes meaning they don't last as long. By not tumble-drying, electricity is saved which is not only good for the environment, it is also saves you money. Double win!

7. Use apps and websites which give you the information. There are companies and individuals who are committed to informing us about companies who are not pulling their weight to combat their negative impact. Good on You is a helpful website AND app which uses a rating scale

8. Do your research. Look into companies and do your research. If a company is taking steps to make change then the information will be on their website. You can also look for any online articles which have written about any companies. Look for certifications! If a brand is recognised by an environmental certification, they are working with and alongside environmental and/or ethical standards (blog post on this to come).

9. Demand change. Write to companies, write to the government, make social media posts. Demand change for the conditions of workers who make your clothes and for better environmental conditions.

10. Talk to others. Spread awareness and tell others what you know and learn. Why not send them the video tutorial you used to turn your leggings into a dress? Or, tell them why you're using a guppy-bag. Educate others and be a part of the change.

Let me know if you have used any of these techniques or if you know of any more! This is only a handful of things you can do, so if you're already making your steps, continue to do this and please get in contact because I would love to know!

Recommendation for this post: F**k Fast Fashion: 101 ways to change how you shop and help save the planet. Sold here. This book is amazing, and it will give you some ideas that you would have never thought of, so if you're looking for an easy read which gives you inspiration in how you can help the planet, then this is the purchase for you!