Let’s Talk About Denim Recycling and Upcycling In the Fashion Industry
Courtesy of Vogue
As the fashion industry looks for more sustainable practices, recycling and upcycling has become a way for them to be sustainable without spending too much money. Recycling and upcycling is especially popular within the denim industry. Brands such as Levi’s have encouraged more sustainable denim practices for other brands and consumers. These brands are able to get creative with design and make jeans look completely brand new to customers.
Courtesy of Vogue
So what is recycling and upcycling in fashion? Recycling is turning clothing waste into new clothing. Many brands that recycle keep the waste they produce from their garments and use that waste to make new fabrics or a whole entire garment. These brands usually put what materials are recycled on their websites or sometimes on the clothing tag. For instance, a brand might put in the garment description on their website, “This garment is made from 30% recycled cotton and 10% recycled polyester.” Upcycling is taking a garment and turning it into a new one. This can include adding designs, studs or rips on a garment. Brands will sometimes ask consumers to donate or give back their garments so they can upcycle or recycle the materials and sell it again without having to create an entirely new garment.
Courtesy of CBC
Denim brands adopting more sustainable practices is not surprising given what goes into the making of denim. Jeans are one of the most polluting garments in the world. According to CBC, it takes up to 7,500 liters of water to make one pair of jeans. Additionally, the processes of dyeing and softening denim includes harmful toxins that pollute water. Sandblasting, a process where sand particles are put into the fabric to make it look worn, is not good for the respiratory system of jean makers. In addition to the making process, jeans, like many pieces of clothing, are often discarded and wasted filling up landfills. Billions of jeans are produced every year for consumers to buy and the more jeans that are made, the more pollution is made too.
Courtesy of Vogue
Most clothing stores and brands sell jeans and they are a wardrobe staple for many people. It is hard to blame people for their love of jeans. They are functional and can be styled in various ways. They can be dressed up or down and they match with pretty much everything. Denim will not go out of style anytime soon and consumers will continue to buy them for years to come. However, consumers that have the means should strive to buy from denim brands that practice upcycling and recycling practices.
Courtesy of Vogue
In order to start becoming a more sustainable denim consumer, reading up on vintage and/or upcycling denim brands to buy from is important. Brands such as Re/Done or 1/Off have upcycled denim for consumers to purchase that is both functional and cute to wear. Additionally, there are many denim brands that use sustainable practices when creating their jeans so consumers can feel better about purchasing from them. For instance, Levi’s has created several initiatives about how they plan on growing as a more sustainable brand and what practices they have put in place to do that. Taking care of your denim is also important in order to make it last as long as possible. Denim does not have to be washed every week and when they are washed, they should be washed inside out and with similar colors in cold water only. After washing, air drying is ideal.
Courtesy of Vogue
Denim is a clothing staple of many people and will always be on trend. It is great that denim brands are beginning to become more and more sustainable as time goes by. Upcycling and recycling is a great way for brands (and consumers) to become more sustainable when it comes to fashion. Hopefully, with time, denim will go from one of the most polluted garments to the most sustainable.
