The Washington PostThe Washington Post

You're not going to stop shopping for new clothes. Here's what to do instead

By Allyson Chiu

06 Dec 2022 · 5 min read

Editor's Note

We are all aware of the devastating impact that the fashion industry has on the environment. What can we do make a difference? The Washington Post answers this question and gives some useful advice.

Faced with the staggering amount of emissions and resources typically associated with clothing, you might think the key to having a more sustainable wardrobe is obvious: Stop shopping.

"It'd be very easy for me to say, 'Just stop buying stuff,' " says Mark Sumner, a lecturer focusing on sustainability within the textile, clothing and fashion industry at the University of Leeds's School of Design. "But that is a very lazy response and does not reflect the complexity of fashion and its positive impacts for workers."

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