How to Green Your Wardrobe

Clothing can be damaging to the environment: making it often requires the use of harsh chemicals and dyes, and disposing of it takes up a lot of space. In fact, the average American discards roughly 68 pounds of clothing and textiles every year. Following the guidelines below can help solve both problems.

You might be surprised by the range and quality of the used clothing you can buy, not to mention the deep discounts. Check out used clothing stores in your area or try eBay (www.ebay.com), which offers a vast selection of used clothes in all sizes and styles.

“Organic” no longer applies just to food. If you consider that it takes one-third of a pound of pesticides and fertilizers to produce just one cotton T-shirt, you’ll understand why the organic clothing industry has taken off in recent years. It’s now possible to buy attractive clothing made from 100% organic cotton, hemp, and silk. Companies such as Patagonia (www.patagonia.com), Prana (www.prana.com), and Maggie’s (www.organicclothes.com) offer extensive lines of organic clothing for both adults and children.

Your local Goodwill or Salvation Army donation center will accept any clothing in wearable condition, including shoes—and contributions typically are tax deductible. Check online to find the center nearest you. Even if you don’t live near a Goodwill or Salvation Army center, you can likely find a clothing donation bin in a local shopping center parking lot.