21 very simple steps to be more sustainable

Not only is it Fashion Revolution Week, but Earth Day is coming up too - and it's got us thinking about how to be more sustainable. Being eco-friendly isn’t that hard, in theory, but our hectic lifestyles can make it a bit of a challenge. 

If you’re active in our community, you’ll know we always do our best to incorporate sustainable practices. In fact, when you invest in our leggings you’re actively making a difference. But what else can we do to be more conscious when we shop new threads or go about our day-to-day lives?

Can fashion be sustainable?

Unfortunately, the production of clothes can never truly be 100% sustainable. But have you noticed the boom in ethical fashion brands popping up lately to combat the growing waste issue? It’s got the world really thinking about the clothes they buy and the impact it’s having on mass consumerism. Many of us are now taking steps to use sustainable materials and reduce our consumption - and it’s caused a huge shift in the industry.

Why should I be more sustainable?

Besides saving the planet - here’s why it’s important to be sustainable:

• It reduces your costs and carbon footprint 
• It helps promote a circular economy
• It reduces landfill
• It reduces air pollution
• It saves precious resources we’re running out of
• It supports a better quality of life for you and your community!

So whether you want to be more sustainable at home, with your clothes or lifestyle - these easy sustainability tips will have you making better, conscious choices.

Shop sustainable brands

If you’re wondering how to be sustainable with clothing - this is the first step. Really look into how the brand is actively taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. Does the brand take steps to be sustainable? Do they use recyclable materials? Recyclable packaging? Limited runs? You get the picture!

Switch your energy provider

Wondering how to be sustainable with energy consumption? Interestingly, this is done in a number of ways - but there’s been a lot of light shed on Green Gas (also known as Biogas). It’s generated from things like farm waste and other sources that don’t involve mining for fuels. 

Whilst these aren’t 100% sustainable either, it’s far better than relying on traditional energy companies that burn through newly mined fuel - harming the planet even more so! Look for companies that also generate their own renewable energy like Ecotricity and Green Energy UK to make your energy expenditure greener.

Recycle and reuse

This might be common practice for most households, but in case it’s not - always check any packing you’re about to throw out and see if it’s recyclable. Pop these in a recycling bin so they can be repurposed into different products or handled responsibly.

Alternatively, why not reuse packaging like takeaway food containers or boxes for your own gain as extra organisers or storage for your home? You could even use those old food containers when you’re out getting a quick bite to eat from a takeaway to lessen your plastic consumption!

Did you know you can send your Lacuna Fit leggings back to us to recycle responsibly? Contact us to find out more!

Shop organic cotton

Always check the fabrics of the clothes you buy. Organic cottons and clothes that meet the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) are just some ways you can make “new” purchases of clothes a more conscious one. Fabrics like recycled nylon and linen are also fantastic alternatives when you’re shopping for clothes.

At Lacuna Fit, our leggings consist of 75% recyclable nylon and we’re always on a mission to make our leggings even more sustainable!

SHOP LEGGINGS

Suggested reading: A complete guide to legging materials

Do a clothes swap

Swapping clothes is a very sustainable way to get your hands on some “new” clothes. Like they say, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Plus, it’s fun too! Organise a clothes swap with friends, your community or watch out to see if anything is going on in your local area.

Organise your wardrobe frequently 

When you regularly review the items in your wardrobe, you’re more likely to appreciate what you have and will buy less clothes in the long run. It’s all about reducing your consumption when it comes to being more sustainable, so make it a point to organise your wardrobe on the regular and fall in love with your clothes again.

Donate old items

Never throw old clothes in the bin, as this contributes to the growing landfill problem. Instead you can donate clothes to a local charity shop who will happily take in your old clothes. Your clothes will end up in a new home where they can be used again.

Sell old items

Making money off your old items is a fantastic way to give new life to them and make a bit of money on the side! Why not sell your old clothes, mobile phones, or furniture for a pretty penny? There’s tons of apps you can do this on such as Depop, Vinted, eBay and loads more platforms!

Mend old clothes 

Mending clothes promotes their longevity - so whack out the sewing kit and stitch up any snags or holes you find within minutes. Alternatively, have a shop around for a tailor who can fix more complicated issues with your clothes.

Is piling an issue? We’ve got a great guide on how to care for your activewear which can apply to caring for other kinds of clothes too!

Alter and restyle clothes you already own

Style your clothes in different ways or cut and stitch them up into something new. Not only does this breathe life into clothes you already own, but it’ll cut down your consumption of new clothes! Cut down jeans into a pair of shorts, cut the sleeves off a t-shirt to create a tank top - the possibilities are endless!

Buy clothes that last

Great quality clothes promote sustainability. By checking for quality you can see if an item is built to last. Ask yourself if you’re likely to wear the item more than a couple of times and really inspect the seams and material. 

More wear out of your clothes = less likely to buy more of the same item. It’s a no brainer!

Make your clothes wash greener

Preserve your water and electricity consumption by dialing down the temperature you wash your clothes at and wash them less. That’s right - wash your clothes less! By this we mean waiting until you genuinely have a full load of washing to do, rather than shoving in your favourite dress on its own for a last minute outing.

Use eco-friendly cleaning products

Lots of modern day detergents are packed with harmful chemicals that damage the environment (and our health too). Try to lessen your purchase of cleaning products containing phosphates, chlorine, artificial fragrances, and artificial colors. Use bleach sparingly and only when it’s absolutely necessary.

Brands like Smol (one of the first brands to launch a plastic-free line of washing tablets) and Seventh Generation are fantastic examples of sustainable cleaning brands that keep the planet in mind.

Make your own cleaning solutions

Really want to cut down on chemicals that harm the environment? Have a go at making your own cleaning products! Items like bicarbonate of soda and vinegar have been used for years to cut through grime, stains and mildew. They’re gentle yet powerful enough to keep your home clean all year round. 

Plus, they’re even used to clean stains out of clothes too!

Use eco-friendly beauty products

Ditch face wipes and overly-packaged beauty products if you want a sustainable beauty routine. Face wipes aren’t only shown to be bad for your skin but they also contribute to the growing waste problem (as does unnecessary packaging). 

We understand how cutting down on some of your beauty products might be tough - so start with one product at a time and see how you go!

Shop recycled products

Investing in recycled and refurbished products are fantastic ways to be more sustainable. This is because you invest in a circular economy - meaning you keep materials in circulation and prolong their life! There’s lots of recycled products you could buy, such as:

• Toilet paper
• Bottles/containers
• Clothes
• Phones

Stop using single-use products

Plastic takes a very long time to break down. By cutting your use of single-use plastic, you reduce the amount that ends up in the atmosphere and eco systems. They enter our food chain and can be quite toxic in the long run.

The solution? Be conscious with how you shop. Ditch the convenience of single use plastics and opt for reusable and sustainable options instead! At Lacuna Fit, we always use recyclable packaging with your orders. We really encourage you to keep hold of these to repurpose - or if not, pop in your recycling bin!

Switch to biodegradable products

Biodegradable products are items that can decompose naturally without harming the environment. They’re a no brainer and there’s so many sustainable swaps you can make with them, such as switching a traditional toothbrush for a bamboo one, regular bins for compostable waste bags, scourers for sea sponges, microbead face scrubs for 100% natural face scrubs. The list goes on!

Ditch packaged fruit and vegetables

We can’t stand the overused packaging in supermarkets! It’s unnecessary and they end up polluting important ecosystems. Instead, pick out vegetables and ditch the plastic bags they offer. You’ll be washing your fruit and veg anyway...right? So pop them in the shopping basket as is, or better yet - reuse your own plastic bags from home!

Unsubscribe from fast fashion brands

It’s common knowledge that the huge players in fast fashion are contributing to the global waste problem. Reduce your temptation to shop fast fashion by unsubscribing from their mailing lists and supporting small businesses instead. We get this won’t always be easy - but reducing your consumption of fast fashion is a fantastic way to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

What tips do you live by to be more sustainable? Let us know in the comments!