It's fashion, you wouldn't get it

Welcome back to The Strawman, the daily climate newsletter that’s like your favourite school teacher - we get you thinking.

Today, we’re diving into the world of clothing - we all wear them, but when’s the last time you really looked into your closet?

A clothing catastophe

We’ve all done it. You’re doomscrolling through ASOS, see a green leopard print shirt and think to yourself “I could totally pull this off”. Hint - you can’t.

But what happens when that shirt inevitably ends up as waste? Here's the lowdown: it's not pretty. Think of it as the fashion industry's version of "out of sight, out of mind."

An insane 6 million tonnes of textiles are discarded by EU citizens each year, with only a quarter being recycled. Maybe now you’ll think twice before that next fast fashion order.

Now people complain a lot about the EU and it’s lack of innovation. There’s one thing Europeans do better than anyone else in the world - regulations. Not all of these are great (looking at you, cookie policies) but in this case the EU is backing a ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, aiming to bring down the curtain on this wasteful practice.

Fast Fashion Frenzy

Where does all of this waste come from anyway? Meet Fast Fashion - companies like Shein and Zara that spit out new clothing lines like it’s going out of fashion.

Terrible pun aside, these places encourage consumers to consume more, padding their profits but resulting in a constant stream of clothes being tossed out in favor of the latest trends.

This quickie fashion is a big part of the problem. Because when we're buying new clothes every week, we're also ditching the old ones. And those clothes end up in the same place as last season's leopard print shirt. It's a vicious, wasteful cycle.

Wardrobe warriors

Before you swear off clothes and join a nudist colony, there's hope. Some countries and companies are taking a stand. France, Germany, and the Netherlands are among those who've pushed for the new EU requirements, putting environmental responsibility above the allure of fast fashion.

This isn't just about keeping our planet looking sharp. It's about changing the way we think about fashion. So, next time you're eyeing that trendy top or must-have jacket, ask yourself: "Is this a one-season stand or a long-term love affair?" Because in the world of fashion, it's the long-lasting relationships that truly make a statement.

That’s it for today gang - same time, same place, tomorrow: see you then.

The Strawman