From food to fashion: the sustainability debate moves on to garments new

Sustainability and food. It’s everywhere – from adverts for Waitrose and Marks & Spencer to endless labels heralding the various merits of different food stuffs – fair trade, organic, local – the list goes on. We all know what we’re meant to buy, why and where – and many of us are doing it.

But what about clothes? Are we, as consumers, as concerned about what we should and shouldn’t be picking from the rails? Do we ask ourselves the same penetrating questions over a t-shirt as we do of a banana? Probably not.

Sustainable clothes look set to become the new black. And the current retailers are going to be selling it to us fast and furiously.

According to a new report from sustainable development charity, Forum for the Future, there are a number of things we should be doing as consumers. Here are their top 10 tips:

- Planet organic – look out for organic cotton. It uses less energy, water and chemicals.- No sweat – make sure the people who make your clothes are paid a fair wage and have decent working conditions. Check out the Ethical Trade Initiative- Retro rage – new clothes are old news. Look out for one-off items in your local vintage or charity shop.- Badger brands – find out what your favourite brands are doing about cotton production, working conditions, animal welfare, air miles or whatever else concerns you. Contact them via their websites or ask in store.- Reinvent yourself – give your wardrobe a new lease of life by adapting existing clothes instead of buying new ones. Try adding new accessories and cunning combinations.- Keep it cool – wash your clothes at low temperatures to save on electricity and bills- Avoid the rough and tumble – avoid the tumble dryer. Again, save on electricity and bills- Pass it on – give your old clothes to charity shops or find out where you can leave them to be recycled.- Show off – if you’ve got it, flaunt it. Tell your friends how to dress sustainably so that they can do it too. It worked for dolphin friendly tuna and for CFC-free sprays. It can work for clothes too.- Enjoy – going sustainable on your clothes won’t just get you looking good. It should make you feel good too. Have fun!

Download the report: Fashioning sustainability

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Notes to editor:

Media enquiries:

For more information, please contact Katie Zabel at k.zabel@forumforthefuture.org.uk or call 07825 204434

About the report:

The report Fashioning Sustainability was written by Forum For The Future, with support from Marks & Spencer. The report provides an overview of the sustainability impacts of the fashion industry, and includes recommendations for consumers and industry alike.

Forum for the Future:

Forum for the Future is the UK's leading sustainable development charity. We aim to show that a sustainable future is both possible and desirable. We work with forward looking organisations in business and the public sector to find practical ways to build a future that is environmentally viable, socially just and economically prosperous.