Steve Clark

Spending a whole year buying nothing new was the starting point for my personal sustainable living journey, so it should come as no surprise that I’m a bit of a fan! If you’re thinking you might like to dip your toes into the wonderful world of Buying Nothing New, here are some tips to get you started! 1) If the thought of a year Buying Nothing New is making you feel a little trepidatious (I assure you you will find it easier than you think!) then why not  ease in slowly , with a Buy Nothing New week, or month. Or aim to do a day every week, or a week every month and see how it goes. I am a bit of an all or nothing type, so for me it was easier to commit to the whole year, but I guarantee that the very act of Buying Nothing New even for some of the time, will make you reflect more on the ‘normal’ purchases you are making. And you may find that you automatically cut down on what you are buying new without even thinking about it. 2)   Avoid the shops! For example-one of the thin...

The fashion industry is one of the worst for its negative impact on the environment. It takes roughly 1800 gallons of water to produce a new pair of jeans, and synthetic materials such as polyester can take up to 200 years to decompose in landfill. If you are looking to reduce how many new items of clothing you purchase, here are five questions to ask yourself before buying new clothes. “Do I really need it?” Ask yourself why you are buying the item. Is it because you want it or because you need it? Ask yourself how many other items in your wardrobe are similar. If you already have something similar, Consider whether your emotions are influencing your spending habits – will buying this item really make you feel better? Sleep on it for a week. You haven’t owned it until this point so you can live without it for another seven days. If you still need it in a week’s time, you’re ready to purchase it. “How often will I wear it?” Livia Firth created the #30Wears campaign – an initia...

Sustainable fashion is a hot topic right now. Not just because the   eco-friendly materials   used are much better for the planet, but because that tends to go hand-in-hand with   better treatment of people making the clothes , too. Not to mention better treatment of animals. But what does sustainable fashion really mean? What Is the Definition of Sustainable Fashion? At its most basic, the word “sustainable” means something can be maintained at its current rate or level. It can be applied to business: Can a company keep going while earning the same amount of money? It can be applied to the way you’re living your life. You’ve probably been admonished at least once by a well-meaning friend about your packed schedule, poor sleeping habits, or workload. “You just can’t keep going like this. It’s not sustainable.”  The same could be said for how we’re treating the planet, and how we make our fashion. We can’t keep going like this. It’s not sustainable.  We’re pullin...