Reduce Waste in Your Kitchen with These Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Small changes make a difference. Here are some simple tips to help you reduce waste in your kitchen and live more sustainably.

Do you find yourself pulling several paper towel sheets off the roll for every mess? Do you reach for single-use plastics like water bottles and plastic wrap often? Is your trash overflowing with smelly food scraps? Start living more sustainably with these eco-friendly alternatives.

Ditch Paper Towels for Good

Americans use 13 billion pounds of paper towels a year, nearly two rolls of paper towels a week, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. A whopping 110 million trees are felled annually to produce paper towels. Thankfully, there are many eco-friendly alternatives to help clean up messes in the kitchen and beyond.

Swedish Dishcloths are super absorbent, compact to store, and easy to keep clean for everyday use.  “Invented by a Swedish engineer in 1949, the rags are made of 100 percent naturally biodegradable cellulose or a combination of wood pulp and renewable cotton,” writer Ashlea Halpern noted. “They are superabsorbent, able to soak up 20 times their own weight in liquid. They are soft and pliable when wet but dry quickly in between uses.”

Cut your old bath towels and cotton t-shirts into squares for a cheap and simple solution to replace paper towels.  Give your fabrics a second life with this completely cost-free solution you can implement immediately.

Say “Bye Bye” to Plastic Wrap

Sticky, flimsy plastic wrap cannot be recycled because it contains PVC.  Once it reaches a landfill, it takes about 450 years to decompose. Reduce waste by trying beeswax wraps, which are fabric squares (often organic cotton) that are coated in naturally produced beeswax to create a seal and protect the food within.  Rinse them off and use them over and over again!

Replace Plastic Water Bottles and Single-use Cutlery with Greener Options

Plastic water bottles and single-use cutlery items are notorious for overloading landfills and aren’t easily recycled. Instead, encourage your household to use a water filtration system and reusable water bottles for that same fresh taste that stays colder longer. To cut down on single-use cutlery, try substituting a sustainable set.  There are lots of different designs and styles online.              

Replace Disposable Plastic K-Cups with Reusable Single-Cup Brew Pods

Disposable plastic k-cups may be convenient, but they’re terrible for the environment and your wallet.  Single-use coffee pods account for 576,000 tons of waste globally.  In addition, disposable pods are five times more expensive than drip coffee beans.  Reduce waste in your kitchen by replacing single-use k-cups with washable, reusable k-cup pods for a greener, more sustainable cup of joe.               

Give Composting a Try

Despite our efforts to combat the food waste problem, we inevitably end up with bits and pieces of food that get tossed into the trash can.  Decomposing food waste in landfills produces methane gas, which is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat. Before you toss food waste into the trash can, consider composting it. 

Starting your composting journey may seem daunting, but there are a lot of resources out there to help.  We recommend the book No-Waste Composting by Michelle Balz for a comprehensive guide to composting.  Or try vermicomposting, a type of composting that uses earthworms to speed up the decomposition process.

If you have space, consider setting up a compost pit in your backyard. And if you live in an urban area, check out our helpful map to locate composting services in your area.  Many states are investing in infrastructure to divert unnecessary food waste from landfills. Learn more about which states are leading the way. 

Other Ways to Reduce Waste and Save Energy in Your Kitchen

• Upgrade Old Appliances with Energy-Saving Ones. If you’re in the market for a new kitchen appliance, look for the blue “Energy Star” designation for energy-efficient models. The United States Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have created a free online resource to make it easy to search for efficient models.
• Use Specialty Appliances. When possible, utilize specialty appliances like rice cookers, slow cookers, and electric kettles to cook your food.  They are generally more efficient than ovens and stovetops.
• Prepare Meals More Efficiently. The Energy Saving Trust has a list of tips to help you maximize your energy savings while cooking. Covering your pots while you cook and avoiding opening the oven door can add up!

These tips are just a few simple ways your family can reduce waste and be more sustainable in the kitchen. Track and measure your efforts today with the One Planet Life app!

Enjoy these OPL recommended reads!

You can declutter with a little creativity and care while reducing your landfill impact. 

Clutter happens!  The longer you live somewhere, the more likely you are to accumulate things around your home. When you’re in the middle of cleaning, you may not give a thought to throwing away the things you no longer need.  But in some cases, there may be opportunities to give your unwanted items a new purpose or a second life.

Clear your clutter today with these sustainable tips and tricks! It’s amazing what a little organization and open space can do for your mental well-being.

Still have recycling questions?  Jennie Romer’s Can I Recycle This? is an excellent resource and a comprehensive guide to all things recycling.

One of my favorite networks is my neighborhood mom group text thread. Over the years, we’ve exchanged clothing, toys and games, snacks our kids didn’t care for, even wrapping paper left by a certain jolly individual that we didn’t want to risk retaining until the next holiday season.

If your local network has no use for your items, consider donating items to Goodwill, The Salvation Army, local foster program networks, shelters, or other non-profits in your area.  These organizations rely on the generosity of others to make a difference in our communities.

Consigning unwanted quality items is a great way to turn your discards into literal cash.  Seek out your local consignment store or search for pop-up events in your area to buy and sell goods for your home and family.  One of my favorite pop-ups to consign with is Just Between Friends, which specializes in clothing, gear, and toys for babies and children.

But the ultimate clutter-busting habit is…

Ultimately, the secret to a minimalist, clutter-free life is to be a mindful, more purposeful shopper.  Avoiding unnecessary items altogether is the best way to live a sustainable life.  There are many ways to do this:

• • Only buy goods that you truly need.  
  • Resist the consumerist temptation to purchase many low-quality items.  Instead, spend a few more dollars to purchase fewer high-quality items.
  • Shop consignment sales to support secondhand markets and acquire higher quality goods at a fraction of the cost.
  • When an item becomes damaged, take the time to research whether a simple repair can make the item usable again. If you can’t do it yourself, seek a local repair shop’s help to make your item new again.
  • When possible, purchase items in sustainable or reusable containers, which last longer and are better for the environment.
  • When giving a gift, consider purchasing something that your recipient can use, experience, or consume.  Or donate in the giftee’s name to a cause that is dear to them.

Think outside the box this year while you spring clean and declutter your home.  Then, sit back and enjoy your minimalism, knowing you made space in your home without sacrificing the environment.

Looking for more?  Check out other articles from One Planet Life that may interest you:

• Let’s Start Really Thinking About Our Trash
• Spring Clean More Sustainably with Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Written by Kristina Shane

Content Manager and Editor

Insights from Project Drawdown’s Webinar on Sustainable Eating and Farming 

Project Drawdown, one of the leading authorities for climate solutions, hosts a series of webinars about important climate topics.  In one of their sessions, Dr. Jonathan Foley sheds light on our current food culture, the effect of food on our ecosystem, and what we can do to reduce the impact of our global food emissions.  This article provides insights from the webinar, “Food Matters: Why Climate Change May Hinge on What We Eat and How We Grow It.”

When we think of climate change, we often attribute it primarily to the burning of fossil fuels. Greenhouse gasses wreak havoc on Earth’s atmosphere, trapping the sun’s heat and slowly warming Earth’s surface. Most people are familiar with the major drivers of carbon emissions: industry and electricity production.  Energy production and industry account for 23.4% and 23.9% of our greenhouse gasses, respectively. But it may be surprising to hear that the world’s third-largest greenhouse gas source comes from food production, agriculture, and land use.  To combat our current climate crisis, we must recognize the toll our current food culture places on the planet.

We must reduce global emissions by 43% by 2030.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) set a target to reduce global emissions by 43% by 2030.  While some effort has been made in other sectors, adequate targeted focus has not been given to the food production, agriculture, and land use sectors, whose emissions continue to grow annually.  Thus, globally, we will not achieve our 2030 goals until progress is made to reduce emissions in the food sector.

Up to 34% of global emissions come from our food system.

As Drawdown reports, 22% of global greenhouse gas emissions are directly attributable to the food industry.  When you drill down into this figure, about half is due to deforestation (11.2%), another 5% due to animal methane emissions, and 3.2% attributed to cropland and pasture management.  Methane from rice, manure management, and biomass burning account for the remaining 2.6%.  But all of these figures do not include the indirect emissions sources of the food industry.  With the added emissions of transportation, food waste, and preparation, the total emissions of the food sector increases to a whopping 34 percent.

Source: Drawdown, “How Food and Farming Will Determine the Fate of Planet Earth”

Most available land on Earth is used for food production.

Surprisingly, cities and suburbs make up only 1% of the land on our planet, whereas 37% is used for food production. Of the land dedicated to food, 75% is used for animal use (either for grazing or to grow livestock feed). Food production generates enormous greenhouse gas emissions, pollutes waterways, strains water resources, destroys habitats, and reduces biodiversity.  

Only 59% of crop yield becomes food fit for human consumption.  

Considering how much of our planet is dedicated to growing and irrigating crops, it’s shocking to discover how inefficient our crop production is.  55% of crops are used for direct human consumption, 36% of grown crops are used to feed animals, and 9% for biofuels and other purposes.  Unfortunately, animals only provide an additional 4% yield when you look at calories delivered.  Thus, only 59% of crop yield becomes food humans consume.  

Collectively, each of these factors adds up. 

Emissions in the food sector continue to climb due to deforestation, the high demand for animal products, crop inefficiencies, irrigation demands, fertilizer misuse, and consumer waste. To reverse our current climate trajectory, we must solve our food emissions problem in smart, targeted ways.

Reducing Our Food System Emissions: What Can We Do?

Dr. Jonathan Foley starts with a simple analogy.  If you have a bathtub that is overflowing, the first thing you do is turn off the water, then clean up the mess, and lastly, drain the water out of the tub.  If you apply this analogy to our food system, the actions we need to take become clear.  Collectively, we need to:

Improve Farming and Agriculture Practices (‘Clean Up the Mess’)

• Protect ecosystems from deforestation. Deforestation is the biggest source of carbon emissions in the food sector.  It’s driven primarily by the current demand for beef, animal feed, and palm oil.  By supporting laws that protect rainforests, national parks, preserves, and rewilding efforts, we can prevent the degradation of ecosystems and protect biodiversity.
• Support indigenous communities.  Studies have proven that indigenous communities who have been given tenure over their local forestlands have a positive effect on the planet, promoting carbon sequestration and reducing deforestation.
• Change fertilizer practices. Fertilizer overuse has led to increased nitrogen levels in our oceans and waterways, polluting our water and causing toxic algae blooms to form.  By balancing countries who overuse fertilizers with those with nutrient-deficient soils, farmers can feed more people and produce less pollution.
• Support lower emissions farming. By adopting regenerative farming practices and fusing old-world farming practices with modern technologies, farmers can improve soil quality and lower food production emissions.

Foley stresses that rewilding and regenerative farming alone cannot solve our food emissions problem. In order to combat our current food crisis, we must reduce demand and improve our current agricultural system.

One Planet Life applauds Drawdown for their dedication to providing timely information and thoughtful climate solutions for our ever-changing world.  We invite you to check out the webinar for yourself: Drawdown Ignite’s recording of “Food Matters: Why Climate Change May Hinge on What We Eat and How We Grow It.”

At One Planet Life, we believe every person can make a difference.  We are inspired by Drawdown’s food webinar to continue to make changes that have a positive impact on our planet and our lives. We know that small changes add up over time, creating a ripple effect that can influence the world around us. Our food system is an area in which we can all join hands and make a difference. 

Additional One Planet Life resources and articles you may be interested in:

• OPL Insight: U.S. Food Waste by Category and Sector
• A Food Waste Recycling Solution that Changed a Nation
• Learn About the Crucial Pillars of a Sustainable Food System
• Urban Composting is Possible
• An Easy Guide to Backyard Composting
• 5 Benefits of Eating More Fruits and Vegetables
• Book Review: No Waste Composting by Michelle Balz 

Clean and Green: Healthier Homes and a Happier Planet

We all want an airy, spotlessly clean home, but if you’re using traditional cleaning products, you may be doing yourself more harm than good.  Switching to sustainable, planet-friendly cleaning products can improve your air quality and your health.

In this article, we’ll explore the harmful chemicals in traditional cleaning products, the benefits of concentrates, the use of reusable bottles, top sustainable brands to trust, and share recipes for making your own cleaning solution.

Traditional cleaning products are full of harmful chemicals.

Traditional cleaning products often contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals that can pose risks to both our health and the environment. Ammonia, bleach, and phthalates are common ingredients found in many household cleaners, which are known to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and can contribute to indoor air pollution. Prolonged exposure to these VOCs can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, and even more severe health issues.

When these chemicals are washed down the drain, they find their way into our waterways, where they can harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystems.  Store-bought cleaners are not only harmful for you and the environment, they’re also more expensive and are generally rich in plastic packaging.  We can protect both our homes and the planet by considering alternatives such as effective homemade solutions, concentrates, and eco-friendly brands.

Easy Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner

1. Collect citrus rinds in a mason jar or other lidded container (consider grapefruit, lemon, orange, tangerine, lime, or other citrus)
2. Pour white vinegar over rinds until they are submerged.
3. Allow rind/vinegar mixture to steep for at least two weeks in a cool, dark place.
4. Pour the liquid into a large measuring cup fitted with a strainer, to remove the peels and retain the citrus liquid.
5. Combine the citrus liquid with an equal amount of water in a spray bottle, and start cleaning greener!

Concentrates have a smaller carbon footprint.

If you’re not ready to take the plunge and make your own cleaning solution yet, you can still make an impact by switching to concentrated cleaning products. Concentrates reduce the need for excessive packaging because they allow you to mix the product with water.  This not only minimizes waste but also decreases the environmental impact of transportation, as fewer resources are needed to move smaller, lighter bottles.

Concentrates are also cost-effective in the long run. While the initial purchase might seem slightly higher, the diluted solutions last longer, saving you money over time. Plus, you’ll be contributing to a reduction in plastic waste, which is a win-win for your wallet and the environment.

Top Sustainable Brands to Trust

Making the switch to eco-friendly cleaning products is made easier by a growing number of brands committed to sustainability. Choose brands that prioritize transparency, eco-friendly ingredients, and certifications that attest to their commitment to sustainable practices.

Real-world customer reviews and testimonials often highlight the effectiveness of these products, debunking the myth that eco-friendly cleaners are less potent than their chemical-laden counterparts.

Try one of the following brands for a greener home and planet:

• Cleancult: Laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, hand soap, and more.
• Biokleen: Laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, carpet cleaner, and more.
• Seventh Generation: Laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, and more.
• Charlie’s Soap: Laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, and more.
• ECOS: Laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, and more.
• PUR Home: Laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, and more.
• Blueland: All-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and more.
• Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day: Dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, hand soap, and more.
• Grove Collaborative: Laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, and more.
• EarthHero: Laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, and more.

Pursue a greener, healthier home by switching to eco-friendly cleaning products today!

By eliminating harmful chemicals, embracing concentrates and reusable bottles, and supporting sustainable brands, you can make a positive impact on both your immediate surroundings and the planet. Join the eco-friendly cleaning revolution and enjoy a cleaner, greener future. Happy cleaning!

Americans flocked to thrift stores in 2025 to combat rising prices and shop sustainably.

Companies are beginning to announce their 2025 revenue totals, and one trend is quickly emerging: the secondhand market continues to win.  The US secondhand market saw 14.3% growth in 2025, bringing the total market value to an estimated $56 million. 

Goodwill recently announced that they generated a record-breaking $7 billion in 2025, an increase of 7% from the previous year.  But they aren’t alone.  Sales at other retailers like ThredUp and Savers Value Village are estimated to reach 18% and 9.2% growth year-over-year, respectively.

More Sustainable, More Cost-Efficient

Some of this growth can be attributed to customers looking for more affordable options during economic uncertainty. But more and more shoppers, especially Millennials and Gen Zers, prefer shopping secondhand for unique fashions that are both cost-conscious and sustainable.  

The secondhand market’s steady growth over time indicates a consumer behavioral shift in which shoppers are more deliberate with their purchases. Michelle Meyer, chief economist of the Mastercard Economics Institute, said: “Secondhand stores are benefiting from many of the same forces we’re seeing across the broader economy. Consumers are becoming far more value-conscious.” Experts expect the global secondhand apparel market to grow to $367 billion by 2029.

With inflation squeezing household budgets, thrifting has allowed buyers to maximize their money.  Resale markets are also uniquely positioned to avoid tariff-driven cost increases.  Most of their inventory is donated from local sources instead of produced in factories abroad.

Fight Pollution with Your Purchases

Choosing to thrift also helps to combat pollution.  The fashion industry is responsible for producing 10% of total global carbon emissions (the emissions of the entire European Union!).  Social media and rotating fashion trends gave rise to the fast fashion industry, in which “knock-off” garments are created cheaply and quickly to meet rising demands.  Approximately 92 million tons of textile waste is dumped each year.

Discover the dirty truth about fast fashion.

Read our blog.

Save Money and Take the Next Step to a Sustainable Life

So, if you’re interested in shrinking your spending and your carbon footprint, consider using your hard-earned money to support secondhand markets.  There’s nothing better than giving a second life to a high-quality item at a fraction of retail prices!

Read More:

• Gen Z and the Rise of Conscious Fashion
• Your Dollar is Powerful.  Be a Conscious Consumer
• Fast Fashion: The Environmental Nightmare We Can’t Ignore
• Break the Cycle of Fast Fashion and Change the World
• Fashionopolis and Fashionopolis: Young Reader’s Edition

Your spending makes a statement.

We live in a culture of consumerism.  Slick marketing schemes and incredibly low prices tempt consumers into making purchases they might have otherwise passed on.  Retailers make it easy for individuals to buy in the blink of an eye, with some items arriving within hours at their doors.  While being a consumer is unavoidable, you have the power to choose what kind of a consumer you’d like to be. Choose to be a conscious consumer.

Our collective buying patterns have the power to shift demand.

Don’t underestimate the power of the dollar.  The way you spend your hard-earned money makes an impact.  Collectively, our buying power can shift demand, which in turn forces companies to adjust their supply strategies to compensate.  Over time, consumers can significantly influence the tides of the market. 

Every dollar you spend is essentially a vote: a show of patronage and support for the brands you select.  If you must make a purchase, invest in high-quality, long-lasting products made by socially- and environmentally-conscious companies.  Companies committed to the future health of our planet are worth supporting!

Drive positive change by supporting brands committed to sustainability.

More and more companies are making significant strides to reduce their waste, limit packaging and production pollution, and reduce the number of harmful chemicals present in their products.  These brands deserve our support so they can continue to mitigate their businesses’ carbon emissions and pressure other companies to do the same.

Choosing to be an eco-conscious consumer takes a little extra work, but the reward is worthwhile.  Before making a purchase, familiarize yourself with the company your hard-earned dollars are supporting.  Go beyond what advertisements say and dive deeper to discover if the company’s actions reflect their sustainability claims.  Beware of greenwashing, a practice in which misleading claims lead consumers to believe that a company is environmentally friendly, when in fact it is not.  The following questions could help you uncover whether the company is altruistic:

• Where is this product produced?
• Does the company value sustainability?  If so, what are they doing to combat their current business emissions?
• Does the company partner with or support non-profit organizations committed to mitigating climate change?
• Is the company utilizing eco-friendly packaging? 

When you shop at sustainable companies, you show you value equitable business practices.

Buy goods from companies who are committed to doing good.  BLab is a non-profit network that seeks to change the global economy to benefit communities and the planet.  One of the ways they do this is to measure companies’ social and environmental impact.  Companies that meet BLab’s stringent qualifications are certified as B Corporations.  BLab shares these companies with conscious consumers so they know they are supporting businesses committed to people and the planet.  Discover BLab’s list of B Corps and shop with confidence.

One Planet Life applauds the following companies for their commitment to social and environmental sustainability.

BetterWorldBooks is a certified B Corp who has donated over 38 million books and has resold or recycled over 475 million books.

Green Field Paper Company provides unique and sustainable paper products such as seed paper.

These certified B-Corps are committed to sustainable harvesting practices and fair treatment for farmers.

Fairtrade and environmentally-conscious nuts and dried fruit.

These apparel brands are on the cutting edge of sustainable practices, thinking not only about fashion sustainability but also giving back and supporting environmental initiatives.

Patagonia is a certified B Corp that commits 1% of total annual sales to the preservation and restoration of the planet, connects individuals with local environmental organizations with Action Works, champions regenerative organic agriculture with Patagonia Provisions, and supports second-hand markets with their Worn Wear program.

MANG Gear is committed to mangrove restoration. For every UV shirt purchased, they plant a mangrove in coastal areas.

Allbirds is a certified B Corp footwear company committed to reducing their carbon footprint to near zero by 2030.

Athleta is committed to providing women with superior performance gear without compromising the environment.  They received their B Corp certification in 2018.

Nisolo is B-Corp certified and passionate about combating the fashion industry’s exploitation of workers and the planet’s resources by implementing the five pillars of the Nisolo Sustainability Framework.

Discover more OPL-approved organizations committed to protecting the planet through sustainable actions.

More Ways to Maximize Your Impact as a Conscious Consumer

Supporting sustainable companies is one way to make your money count.  Other eco-friendly ways to maximize your impact include:

Buy Second-Hand Goods.  Thrifting or shopping consignment stores is the most sustainable way to give still-useful items a second life and reduce your waste.  Avoid the extensive supply chain required to produce and ship a new product. Instead, enjoy the hunt at your local thrift stores, yard sales, vintage boutiques, online resale, or even trade with your neighbors in local “buy nothing” groups.  You never know what you’ll find!  Make a stand against our trash culture and give a second chance to a gently-used item.

Shop Local. Every dollar you spend locally is the equivalent of $6 spent in the community. Give back to your friends, family, and neighbors by frequenting local restaurants, shops, and businesses.  When you shop locally, the whole community benefits!

Enjoyed this article?  Check out these other resources to gain a deeper understanding of the fast fashion industry and consumer alternatives:

• Fast Fashion is the Environmental Nightmare We Can’t Ignore
• Break the Cycle of Fast Fashion and Change the World
• Fantastic Finds at My Local Outdoor Consignment Sale
• How to Upcycle Gently-Used Outdoor Recreational Gear

Supercharge your buying power with these recommended reads:

Many young people in Generation Z, including my daughter Caroline, are part of a growing movement transforming the fashion narrative.  They are rejecting the constant push toward consumption, fueled by aggressive marketing, and challenging the industry to consider the benefits of conscious fashion. This thoughtful generation is beginning to understand that fashion isn’t just about the final design. It’s about where textiles come from, how they are produced, the chemicals involved, and the lasting impact on both people and the planet.

At the heart of the conscious fashion movement is the realization that fast fashion is both an environmental and ethical disaster.

So, what exactly is fast fashion? 

Fast fashion refers to the rapid production of inexpensive clothing that mimics current trends seen on runways or worn by celebrities. There’s increasing demand to get styles into stores at breakneck speed and at low prices. Technological advancements have accelerated this process, enabling companies to track trends in real time and bring new designs to market within weeks. While this has made fashion more accessible, it has also led to overproduction, waste, and a throwaway culture.

This overproduction has severe consequences. From pollution and unsafe labor practices to a culture of disposability, fast fashion is causing harm on multiple fronts. The chemicals used in dyeing fabrics and the microfibers shed by synthetic clothes damage ecosystems—especially our oceans.

Social Media’s Role in Fast Fashion

Social media plays a central role in promoting fast fashion. Influencers, celebrities, and targeted ads on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube fuel the desire for instant gratification. Young women and girls, in particular, feel pressured to keep up with ever-changing trends to maintain social relevance. This constant cycle of new trends promotes overconsumption, leading to the purchase of low-quality clothing that is quickly discarded. Not only does this harm the environment, but it also fosters a negative self-image as people struggle to keep up with the financial and emotional demands of this fast-paced fashion culture.

Recommended watch: The HBO documentary Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion offers a compelling look into the rise of a teen-focused fashion brand and the toxic culture that surrounds it.

Gen Z Pushes Back with Conscious Fashion Trends

Despite these challenges, the tide is turning.  A growing percentage of Gen Z, aged 12 to 27, is questioning the foundations of fast fashion and reevaluating their relationship with clothing. They are shifting toward sustainable practices and using their purchasing power to demand change.

Social Media’s Positive Influence on Sustainable Fashion

While social media contributes to the fast fashion problem, it’s also helping drive positive change. Influencers promote the idea of “shopping your closet”—encouraging people to repurpose and creatively style what they already own rather than continuously buying new items. This shift has sparked a growing trend of upcycling apparel and textiles, fostering creativity while reducing waste.

My daughter Caroline began her journey into sustainable fashion around 12 years old. Deeply impacted by the documentary The True Cost, which offers a sobering and eye-opening look at fast fashion’s human and environmental toll, she started designing and creating her own clothes. She’s been heavily influenced by DIY fashion accounts like The Essentials Club. The Essentials Club champions the philosophy “Make what you can and ethically source the rest.” This message aligns perfectly with Caroline’s passion for creativity and sustainability.

“Watching videos from The Essentials Club not only inspired me but also taught me the skills to make my own clothing,” shared Caroline Bates. “It gave me the confidence and tools to create and bring my own designs to life.”

Her first project was a three-quarter zip pullover jacket made from a fleece remnant and an old terrycloth towel. She designed the pattern herself and crafted her first piece of fashion apparel! 

The Rise of Thrift Shopping and Upcycling

Caroline’s two-piece ensemble for the Barbie movie premiere, made from a tablecloth and bedsheet.

Innovative Startups Tackling Textile Waste

Beyond individual efforts, innovative startups are also addressing textile waste. Companies like For Days and The Renewal Workshop are finding ways to repurpose discarded materials and create a circular economy within fashion.  In this circular economy, clothes are continuously recycled and repurposed instead of ending up in landfills.

One smaller company that particularly inspires Caroline is Sew By Sew, led by Sarah, a thrifting and upcycling enthusiast. Sarah’s small business helps others access deadstock fabrics that would otherwise be discarded.  Sarah’s practices have further fueled Caroline’s interest in using sustainable materials in her projects.

Rethinking the Textile Industry

Caroline and her peers are shining a light on the unsustainable practices of the fast fashion industry and advocating for thoughtful alternatives. They understand that, much like the farm-to-table movement in the food industry, fashion has its own supply chain that needs scrutiny. Gen Z is demanding transparency, asking where their clothes come from, how they are made, and whether workers are treated fairly.

This shift is driving real change within the industry.  Brands are being forced to reconsider their use of chemicals, water, and labor practices. The fashion world is slowly adapting to the growing demand for more sustainable and ethical practices.

A Hopeful Future for Fashion

The fashion industry is at a crossroads, and Gen Z is leading the charge toward a more sustainable future. By embracing thrift shopping, upcycling, and supporting ethical brands that prioritize transparency and sustainability, young people are helping to reshape fashion for the better. Together, they are building a future where fashion is creative and expressive but also responsible and eco-friendly.

Dive deeper with this recommended read.  It’s perfect for young readers interested in conscious fashion and making a difference!

Fashionopolis: Young Readers Edition by Dana Thomas

Dana Thomas helps young readers understand fast fashion: its history, its human price, and the dirty truth of its effects on our environment.