Tips for more sustainable textiles in everyday life

The textile industry is one of the dirtiest sectors in the world. Huge amounts of water and CO2 consumption, toxic dyes in rivers and, last but not least, human rights concerns are making more and more people aware of textile consumption.

As an industrial clothing company that produces exclusively in Germany, we are aware of the serious effects of fast fashion on people and the environment. We feel responsible here and strive to produce as sustainably as possible and to support our customers in using environmentally friendly fibers. Of course, as a sewing service provider, we are not the only ones who can make an important contribution to a greener textile industry.

Each individual can also make an important contribution to a greener textile industry with little effort. We’ve put together three of our favorite tips to easily integrate sustainability into your everyday life.

Tip 1: No more disposable products

On average, 455 kg of household waste is generated per person in Germany (source: Federal Statistical Office). Much of this waste can be avoided by using reusable solutions instead of single-use products like paper towels, plastic wrap, and aluminum foil. The market for these items is now growing and beeswax films are a great alternative for packaging food, for example. As an alternative to baking paper, you can use heat-resistant silicone mats that can be easily wiped off after each use.

Kitchen paper and damp cleaning cloths can easily be replaced with microfiber cloths. This not only saves you disposable cleaning cloths, but also sharp cleaning agents. With our microfiber towels, you can keep them spotless and clean with just a little water. Another big step to make our daily life more sustainable is the use of reusable beverage bottles. This not only eliminates the need to lug around heavy beverage cartons when shopping, but also significantly reduces plastic waste.

On the subject of shopping: If you want to protect the environment, you should take a cloth bag with you when you go shopping instead of using plastic or paper bags. Not only does it look super clean, it’s also good for the environment.

Shampoo and shower gel packaging creates a large amount of plastic waste. With a solid shower and hair soap or body lotion, you can almost completely avoid this waste. Another advantage is that solid products can be dosed more moderately and have a longer shelf life.

Tip 2: Reduce consumption

It doesn’t have to be new! To avoid unnecessary impulse purchases, always ask yourself the following questions before purchasing a product.

Do you really need the product or are you buying it to meet another need? Do you have a similar product at home that you have (or have) repaired? You must own the product. Or can I borrow it in my area? Can I trade my possession with someone else and receive the product? Can I buy the product used somewhere (example: If you can answer all of these questions with “No”, it makes sense to buy a new one, but such cases are much rarer than you might think.

Tip 3: Buy new textiles fairly and ecologically

Anyone who buys new clothes or other textiles should always look for the cheapest mass alternatives.

Fortunately, the number of manufacturers who produce in Germany and Europe and value sustainability and compliance with social standards is increasing day by day. Many of these companies mark their products with textile seals that certify pollution-free, sustainable and socially responsible production chains.

However, with the large number of textile seals available today, it is not easy to get an overview. The best known today are: