WEBVTT

00:00:03.125 --> 00:00:05.500
[upbeat music]

00:00:05.500 --> 00:00:07.583
- Ami Eckard-Lee: It's easy
to get caught up

00:00:07.583 --> 00:00:08.458
in the latest fashion trends,

00:00:08.458 --> 00:00:11.999
but the choices we make about
the clothes we buy,

00:00:11.999 --> 00:00:13.291
how well we care for them,

00:00:13.291 --> 00:00:15.500
and when we choose
to throw them away

00:00:15.500 --> 00:00:18.458
have a big impact
on the environment.

00:00:18.458 --> 00:00:21.792
In fact, the fashion industry
is a major contributor

00:00:21.792 --> 00:00:24.333
to climate change
and plastic pollution

00:00:24.333 --> 00:00:25.125
all around the world.

00:00:25.125 --> 00:00:30.999
So, how can we prevent our
clothes from ending up as waste

00:00:30.999 --> 00:00:32.792
in the environment?

00:00:33.333 --> 00:00:36.208
[bright music]

00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:39.792
Let's meet up with a textile
expert to learn more about

00:00:39.792 --> 00:00:41.999
where our clothes come from,
where they end up

00:00:41.999 --> 00:00:46.250
when we're done with them,
and what happens in between.

00:00:46.999 --> 00:00:49.792
Can you tell me first,
what is a textile?

00:00:49.792 --> 00:00:51.000
- Majid Sarmadi:
Textile is everywhere.

00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:56.999
It's made of fibers, natural,
and in past 70 years,

00:00:56.999 --> 00:00:58.999
80 years, also synthetic.

00:00:58.999 --> 00:01:01.999
- Okay, but where do those
fibers actually come from?

00:01:01.999 --> 00:01:06.667
- Majid: Natural fibers grow,
such as cotton.

00:01:06.667 --> 00:01:08.999
Synthetic fibers
come from the oil.

00:01:08.999 --> 00:01:15.999
So, then, become, which one
of these two class of fibers,

00:01:15.999 --> 00:01:19.291
natural versus synthetic,

00:01:19.291 --> 00:01:23.834
are less harmful
to the environment?

00:01:23.834 --> 00:01:27.458
In order to grow natural fibers,

00:01:27.458 --> 00:01:33.875
you have to use lots
of equipment, lots of land,

00:01:33.875 --> 00:01:36.208
lots of energy, lots of water.

00:01:36.208 --> 00:01:39.166
It's easier to create
synthetic material.

00:01:39.166 --> 00:01:42.000
- Than to--
- Versus the natural material.

00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:44.250
- Does it take less resources?

00:01:44.250 --> 00:01:45.041
- Less resources.

00:01:45.041 --> 00:01:49.999
But they have other issue,
that you have to dig the oil

00:01:49.999 --> 00:01:51.999
and then the gases
that are coming,

00:01:51.999 --> 00:01:55.125
some of them are methane gases
that is exposed

00:01:55.125 --> 00:01:59.792
to the environment
and greenhouse gases.

00:01:59.792 --> 00:02:01.208
We have limited resources,

00:02:01.208 --> 00:02:05.542
so we have to be careful
how we are using it, yeah?

00:02:05.542 --> 00:02:05.999
- Okay.

00:02:05.999 --> 00:02:07.999
So, you save resources
in different areas.

00:02:07.999 --> 00:02:10.917
- Yes, so it's a complex issue.
- Mm-hmm,

00:02:10.917 --> 00:02:13.999
and then, what happens to them
when we're done using them?

00:02:13.999 --> 00:02:18.166
- Majid: So, all-natural fibers
are biodegradable

00:02:18.166 --> 00:02:19.375
in the environment.

00:02:19.375 --> 00:02:21.000
They become a part of soil.

00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:25.000
And insects and plants
can use them.

00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:27.375
- Okay.
- But the plastics, no.

00:02:27.375 --> 00:02:28.999
- Okay, so what do they become?

00:02:28.999 --> 00:02:30.750
- They become
a smaller molecule.

00:02:30.750 --> 00:02:31.999
- And smaller and smaller
and smaller.

00:02:31.999 --> 00:02:34.709
- Smaller and smaller,
and creates microplastics.

00:02:34.709 --> 00:02:36.917
- Oh, my gosh,
so it didn't actually disappear.

00:02:36.917 --> 00:02:38.583
It just broke down
so you can't see it.

00:02:38.583 --> 00:02:41.250
- But if they are converting
to microplastic,

00:02:41.250 --> 00:02:44.250
they are creating more problem.
- Much more problem.

00:02:44.250 --> 00:02:48.959
- Majid: So, we have to reduce
our consumption.

00:02:48.959 --> 00:02:52.834
Fast fashion
is destroying the environment.

00:02:52.834 --> 00:02:56.500
Our closets are bursting
from clothes,

00:02:56.500 --> 00:03:00.542
and every season,
the fashion is changing.

00:03:00.542 --> 00:03:07.417
But we can create fashion
that lasts longer.

00:03:07.417 --> 00:03:11.999
You use it more,
therefore you extend its life.

00:03:11.999 --> 00:03:13.917
- So, people should maybe
buy less,

00:03:13.917 --> 00:03:17.041
think more consciously about why
they're buying something.

00:03:17.041 --> 00:03:17.625
- Yes.

00:03:17.625 --> 00:03:19.999
- Think about how they might
have to take care of it

00:03:19.999 --> 00:03:23.291
and think about where it goes
when they're done with it.

00:03:23.291 --> 00:03:24.959
- Exactly.

00:03:24.999 --> 00:03:29.083
- Consumerism is the belief
that buying more is desirable.

00:03:29.083 --> 00:03:31.500
Consumerism leads
to overconsumption,

00:03:31.500 --> 00:03:33.999
and this is driving
the fast fashion industry

00:03:33.999 --> 00:03:35.959
and accelerating
climate change.

00:03:35.959 --> 00:03:38.999
Quick trends lead to short
lifespans of products

00:03:38.999 --> 00:03:40.999
and an abundance
of textile waste.

00:03:40.999 --> 00:03:44.375
But extending the life cycle
of our clothing is a great way

00:03:44.375 --> 00:03:47.834
to practice mindful consumerism
with our fashion choices.

00:03:47.834 --> 00:03:50.999
Let's take a look at how this
high school student is learning

00:03:50.999 --> 00:03:53.999
to mend and create
her own clothes.

00:03:53.999 --> 00:03:55.000
- Celine Huttleston:
So, this semester

00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:58.875
I chose to take The Fabric
of History and Justice,

00:03:58.875 --> 00:04:02.125
which is a class all about
textiles

00:04:02.125 --> 00:04:05.917
and how they tie into activism.

00:04:05.917 --> 00:04:09.667
Sustainable fashion can mean
thrifting,

00:04:09.667 --> 00:04:13.417
making your own clothes,
or just repairing things,

00:04:13.417 --> 00:04:16.083
which is great
for making clothes last longer.

00:04:16.083 --> 00:04:17.709
Instead of throwing something
away,

00:04:17.709 --> 00:04:21.208
I actually made the outfit
that I'm wearing right now.

00:04:21.208 --> 00:04:24.999
I think it's a pretty underrated
life skill.

00:04:24.999 --> 00:04:27.999
It's really empowering.

00:04:27.999 --> 00:04:30.000
By just learning to do something

00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:32.333
as simple as sew a patch
or a button,

00:04:32.333 --> 00:04:36.333
you could save your favorite
sweatshirt, save money,

00:04:36.333 --> 00:04:38.999
and help save the planet.

00:04:38.999 --> 00:04:41.333
- Learning to sew a button
back on a shirt

00:04:41.333 --> 00:04:44.999
is an excellent way of
practicing sustainable fashion

00:04:44.999 --> 00:04:45.834
in your own life.

00:04:45.834 --> 00:04:47.959
Taking care of the clothes
that we already have

00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:50.208
can prevent the need
for buying replacements

00:04:50.208 --> 00:04:52.792
and reduce
our overall consumption.

00:04:52.792 --> 00:04:54.875
However, buying
new clothing is inevitable,

00:04:54.875 --> 00:04:59.417
but when you do,
consider these three things.

00:05:00.208 --> 00:05:03.333
Is this something you need
or want?

00:05:03.333 --> 00:05:05.583
How often will you wear this?

00:05:05.583 --> 00:05:09.375
And what is its
environmental impact?

00:05:09.625 --> 00:05:11.417
While there isn't a clear
best path,

00:05:11.417 --> 00:05:13.667
making small steps
in the right direction

00:05:13.667 --> 00:05:15.542
can make a big difference.

00:05:15.542 --> 00:05:16.542
And it starts with choosing

00:05:16.542 --> 00:05:19.250
what sustainable fashion
means to you.

00:05:19.250 --> 00:05:21.875
Is it your goal to minimize
carbon emissions

00:05:21.875 --> 00:05:23.999
from transportation
by shopping locally?

00:05:23.999 --> 00:05:26.458
Are you hoping to increase the
longevity of your clothing

00:05:26.458 --> 00:05:29.458
by focusing on slow fashion
over fast fashion?

00:05:29.458 --> 00:05:32.333
Or do you care about reducing
microplastic pollution

00:05:32.333 --> 00:05:36.375
by prioritizing natural fibers
over synthetics?

00:05:36.375 --> 00:05:37.041
There are lots of ways

00:05:37.041 --> 00:05:39.458
to make your fashion choices
more sustainable,

00:05:39.458 --> 00:05:41.291
and they all start
with awareness

00:05:41.291 --> 00:05:42.999
and making mindful decisions.

00:05:42.999 --> 00:05:46.542
I met up with Leslie to learn
more about her journey

00:05:46.542 --> 00:05:47.291
in sustainable fashion

00:05:47.291 --> 00:05:50.417
and what she chooses
to focus her efforts on.

00:05:50.417 --> 00:05:53.542
So, what is the Midwest Linen
Revival project?

00:05:53.542 --> 00:05:56.208
- Leslie Schroeder: Yeah, so it
is education and outreach

00:05:56.208 --> 00:05:57.959
and advocacy and research
and development

00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:02.041
around the flax plants,
and specifically flax for fiber.

00:06:02.041 --> 00:06:04.542
The stem of the plant
has fiber inside of it,

00:06:04.542 --> 00:06:07.333
and that can be used to make
the textile linen.

00:06:07.333 --> 00:06:09.792
- Ami: Oh, okay.
- It's not a new idea.

00:06:09.792 --> 00:06:11.709
It's just a fabulous old idea

00:06:11.709 --> 00:06:13.083
that's fallen a little bit
by the wayside

00:06:13.083 --> 00:06:16.999
while we're using a lot
of other things for textiles,

00:06:16.999 --> 00:06:17.999
including synthetic,
to the point

00:06:17.999 --> 00:06:19.999
they're starting to really be
detrimental

00:06:19.999 --> 00:06:21.166
to the environment.
- Yeah.

00:06:21.166 --> 00:06:26.250
- All along, it's whole process
of wearing the synthetic fibers

00:06:26.250 --> 00:06:27.083
are shedding a little bit,

00:06:27.083 --> 00:06:30.166
and microplastics in our water,
30% of them

00:06:30.166 --> 00:06:33.999
are actually directly
attributed to our textiles.

00:06:33.999 --> 00:06:36.166
And so,
it's washing our clothes.

00:06:36.166 --> 00:06:36.999
I know, right?

00:06:36.999 --> 00:06:38.417
And so, when we start
thinking about

00:06:38.417 --> 00:06:40.000
that entire life cycle
assessment,

00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:42.417
you're really thinking about
this product

00:06:42.417 --> 00:06:45.500
from its manufacturer
or its growth

00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:48.542
to its use to its end game.

00:06:49.417 --> 00:06:53.417
- Synthetic textiles
are made from plastic.

00:06:53.417 --> 00:06:55.000
And these items aren't just
a problem

00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:55.999
when you throw them away.

00:06:55.999 --> 00:06:59.250
They're contributing
to microplastic pollution

00:06:59.250 --> 00:07:01.999
even while sitting
in your closet.

00:07:01.999 --> 00:07:04.999
Lint, loose strings,
the fine particles you see

00:07:04.999 --> 00:07:06.999
when shaking out
your bathroom towel,

00:07:06.999 --> 00:07:08.959
those all contain microplastics

00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:10.792
that are polluting the air
in your home,

00:07:10.792 --> 00:07:14.125
the water from your washer,
and the food you eat.

00:07:14.125 --> 00:07:16.542
So, what can we do
to reduce the amount

00:07:16.542 --> 00:07:19.999
of microplastics in our clothing
and our homes?

00:07:19.999 --> 00:07:22.041
Natural fibers
are a great alternative

00:07:22.041 --> 00:07:26.125
that don't contribute to plastic
pollution and are compostable

00:07:26.125 --> 00:07:28.834
once a textile
has exhausted its use.

00:07:28.834 --> 00:07:31.917
What are things that
the general public could do

00:07:31.917 --> 00:07:35.999
to be more sustainable
in their fashion choices?

00:07:35.999 --> 00:07:38.500
- It's one of the most
sustainable fashion choices

00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:39.917
that we can make is to buy less.

00:07:39.917 --> 00:07:43.750
It's not about me telling
anybody to go home and, like,

00:07:43.750 --> 00:07:45.125
get rid of all,
your entire wardrobe,

00:07:45.125 --> 00:07:46.999
because that just means
more consumption.

00:07:46.999 --> 00:07:49.208
And it just means making
intentional choices

00:07:49.208 --> 00:07:51.542
going forward,
doing the best that we can

00:07:51.542 --> 00:07:52.875
with what's available to us.

00:07:52.875 --> 00:07:55.166
But each one of us, when we're
making our choices,

00:07:55.166 --> 00:07:56.999
we're expressing who we are.

00:07:56.999 --> 00:07:58.500
And especially as you're
growing up,

00:07:58.500 --> 00:08:02.083
that is the work of youth
is to figure out who you are,

00:08:02.083 --> 00:08:04.000
and then who you are
can be expressed

00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:06.792
through what you're wearing.
- Yeah.

00:08:06.792 --> 00:08:08.625
Wow, I never thought about it
that way.

00:08:08.625 --> 00:08:12.999
The clothes we wear are often a
reflection of our personalities

00:08:12.999 --> 00:08:13.542
and our values.

00:08:13.542 --> 00:08:17.208
They can be used as a form
of expression and activism,

00:08:17.208 --> 00:08:20.999
both in what they say
and where they came from.

00:08:20.999 --> 00:08:23.250
When we look at the life cycle
of a garment,

00:08:23.250 --> 00:08:24.041
it's hard to find something

00:08:24.041 --> 00:08:26.792
that's truly sustainable
from start to finish.

00:08:26.792 --> 00:08:27.875
But we can make
certain decisions

00:08:27.875 --> 00:08:30.875
that increase the sustainability
of our clothes.

00:08:30.875 --> 00:08:33.333
Buy clothes that will last
a long time

00:08:33.333 --> 00:08:34.583
and that you'll use often,

00:08:34.583 --> 00:08:36.500
rather than focusing
on short-term trends

00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:39.667
that lead to an abundance
of textile waste.

00:08:39.667 --> 00:08:41.333
Learn how to repair your clothes

00:08:41.333 --> 00:08:43.583
so you can extend their
usability,

00:08:43.583 --> 00:08:44.291
or learn how to sew

00:08:44.291 --> 00:08:46.583
so you can turn them
into something new.

00:08:46.583 --> 00:08:48.250
If you're looking
for a sustainable way

00:08:48.250 --> 00:08:49.083
to refresh your closet,

00:08:49.083 --> 00:08:52.375
host a clothing swap with your
friends or at your school.

00:08:52.375 --> 00:08:53.999
Or if you're ready
to say goodbye

00:08:53.999 --> 00:08:56.208
to some of the clothes
you no longer wear,

00:08:56.208 --> 00:08:57.250
consider donating them
to shelters

00:08:57.250 --> 00:09:00.999
or secondhand clothing stores
so someone else can use them.

00:09:00.999 --> 00:09:01.875
All of these actions

00:09:01.875 --> 00:09:04.999
help make your clothing choices
more sustainable,

00:09:04.999 --> 00:09:08.291
and it's not necessarily about
the clothes you choose to wear,

00:09:08.291 --> 00:09:14.999
but also about the ones you
choose to leave on the rack.

00:09:18.999 --> 00:09:21.000
- So, what is the answer?

00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:24.333
- Yeah, what is the answer?
- I was asking you.

00:09:24.333 --> 00:09:24.999
I thought that--

00:09:24.999 --> 00:09:27.999
- You said I could ask you
anything! [both laugh]