It is crucial for everyone to be conscious consumers and to not succumb to fast fashion. Conscious consumerism has the potential to solve environmental and social issues. What we buy and use in our day to day lives have many negative implications and buying the most convenient products may not be the most sustainable and may contribute to animal extinction, toxic accumulation in the environment, waste and global warming.
Buying cheap products that may have been sourced and manufactured illegally is not ideal and by being conscious consumers, we are able to stop fuelling companies and brands that employ children and violate human rights. Fast fashion is a huge contributor to large and unnecessary consumption of clothes, synthetic fabrics and products from sheep as well as encourage materialism. This is detrimental to the economy of communities and we as individuals must do our best to be conscious consumers.
The rapidly growing fast fashion industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters in the world. In Australia we dispose 85% of the textiles we buy to landfill each year. As consumers we tend to buy it, wear it a few times, get sick of it and get rid of it afterwards. Pieces of clothing manufactured quickly with cheap materials and especially polyester is a result of fast fashion and these synthetic materials can generate more than 1900 micro-plastic fibres in one washing machine cycle which pollute waterways and adds to the increasing levels of plastic in our oceans that can be injected by marine life. Polyester is derived from fossil fuels and also contributes to global warming. Various companies and brands in the fashion industry makes use of cheap, toxic textile dyes with dangerous chemicals and is the second biggest polluter of clean water globally, after agriculture.
There are many strategies that communities and individuals can enforce to lower demands for fast fashion includes:
Recycling and repurposing clothes
Fixing clothes and shoes at seamstresses and shoe fixers
Avoiding cheap garments made from synthetic fabrics
Supporting ECA-accredited brands (Ethical Clothing Australia)
Exchange old clothing with friends and family
Donating unwanted or old clothing to charities
Take-back programs in regards to textile materials
Finding other means of entertainment or therapy other than retail therapy
Other strategies to be conscious consumers includes buying produce from fresh produce markets, supporting local and small businesses, going thrift shopping and family owned and run stores are many simple ways to be more mindful and conscious consumers. Overall, we should consume products that are healthy for the planet and healthy to us (as well as light to the wallets)!
Small markets in Sydney that sell pre-loved goods, fresh farm produce and sustainable products over the weekends are at Bondi Beach, Glebe, Kirribilli, Paddington, Kings Cross and Fairfield! The lively crowds and hustle and bustle of markets are a great way to spend time with friends and family as well.
Bondi Markets - Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Weekly open-air market on school grounds with clothing, jewelry, music, craft & furniture stalls operating on Saturdays and Sundays.
Glebe Markets - Glebe Point Rd &, Derby Pl, Glebe NSW 2037
Glebe market is a place where you can buy everything from food to clothes to jewellery on Saturdays.
Kirribilli Markets - Burton St, Milsons Point NSW 2061
Bi-monthly market offering a rotation of vendors selling artisan fashion, jewelry, foods & gifts on Saturdays.
Paddington Markets - 395 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021
Saturday market featuring clothing, accessories & home items from local craftspeople & designers.
Fairfield Markets - Fairfield Showgrounds 443 Smithfield Rd, Prairiewood NSW 2176
A great way to grab a bargain and discover the local food on Saturdays.
