In the January/ February 2021 issue of Sierra Magazine, Elizabeth Cline writes that “The fashion industry is notoriously wasteful, consuming roughly 108 million metric tons of nonrenewable resources each year, from pesticides and synthetic dyes to coal and oil. Only about 1 percent of all textiles are recycled into new clothing. The majority—more than two-thirds of textiles—are either incinerated or tossed into landfills.”  And this industry is producing enough garments for “each human on the planet to buy something new to wear every month.” This is a massive problem. What can be done to offset this huge clothing overload around the world?  

Reduce. Reduce clothing consumption.  How many pairs of jeans does each person truly need - not simply want. Re-use. Shop your closet, or at resale, vintage, or secondhand markets. Recycle. Pass unused garments forward, or donate them, rather than letting that fabric end up in a landfill.

To extend the life of a garment, after it has been shopped from your closet or another source,  it may have to be altered or restyled.  That is where Shining Threads can help. We have the years of experience, the machines, materials and ideas to work on your “green” clothing projects.  

For more information, contact Susan McDonald at 908-655-2788 or [email protected].