A Sustainable Fashion Blueprint for Black Friday Madness

As millions flocked to shops on Black Friday, a day that was anticipated to rake in nearly £9 billion ($11bn), it’s worth pausing to consider the environmental toll. While these sales boost retail, they also encourage unnecessary purchases, contributing significantly to environmental degradation. In 2022, Black Friday in the UK was associated with a staggering 400,000 tons of CO₂ emissions due to transportation alone. Add to this the alarming fact that up to 80% of Black Friday buys end up in landfills after minimal use, and the true cost of these bargains becomes apparent.

Source: Sustainable Earth/YouTube

The fashion industry, a major player in Black Friday sales, is particularly problematic. As the world’s second-largest polluter, accounting for about 8% of global carbon emissions, the fashion industry sees a 72% spike in its carbon footprint on Black Friday compared to other days.

In stark contrast to our current “buy and discard” mentality, the Victorians had a remarkably sustainable approach to fashion. Before mass production, making and repairing clothing were crucial domestic skills. Victorian women, in particular, spent considerable time mending and repurposing garments, significantly extending their lifespan. This was a time when second-hand clothing markets thrived, and clothes were seen as valuable commodities to be reused and recycled.

Even clothes deemed irreparable found new life in unexpected ways. Rags were transformed into paper at mills or used as material for “shoddy,” a recycled cloth. Some even became fertilizer for crops. This cycle of reuse was driven not by environmental awareness as we know it, but by thrift and a strong aversion to waste.

As the European Commission eyes a circular economy by 2050, aiming to minimize textile waste, we could learn a lot from the Victorians. Their practices, born of necessity and frugality, offer a blueprint for sustainable consumption that could transform our approach to fashion and shopping events like Black Friday. In an era where sustainability is key, perhaps it’s time to look back to move forward.

There’s Only One Green Planet Tee by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

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