#AD&VGreenCarpet Earth Day Initiative
About the Campaign
Earth is rich in natural resources, yet we have failed to use them responsibly. We must adopt sustainable consumption methods to alleviate the damage we've inflicted on the planet. That’s why for this year’s Earth Day Initiative, AD&V® is working towards SDG #12, which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, and will be sharing information on sustainable fashion consumption and textile recycling and how you can walk the #AD&VGreenCarpet to make sustainable fashion choices, reduce textile waste, & slow down negative consumption trends. The campaign is divided into two components: an educational component and a component that involves the AD&V® team and their families.
Educational Campaign
Our reckless use of natural resources has resulted in overconsumption, exceeding the world’s capacity to provide. We must adopt sustainable consumption methods to alleviate the damage we've inflicted on the planet. Our #AD&VGreenCarpet educational campaign focuses on creating awareness of the social and environmental damages caused by Fast Fashion and its Irresponsible Consumption and shares tips on how you can help reduce textile waste and slow down these negative consumption trends:
TIP #1: UPCYCLE
Extend the life of your wardrobe by upcycling your clothes! For example, transform an old t-shirt and other worn items into rags or turn a pair of worn-out jeans into stylish shorts.
You can work wonders with a pair of scissors and a needle and thread and give new life to an old garment. By upcycling, you’ll help divert textile waste from landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
TIP #2: DONATE
One person’s trash is another’s treasure. Donate unwanted clothing to thrift stores or local shelters instead of throwing them out.
International organizations like Goodwill have drop-off points in all cities where they collect everything from clothing to electronics and toys and will distribute them and sell them at their Goodwill stores. The profit goes directly to the organization, and they use the revenue from donated items to create employment placement and job training. So, by donating you can help people in need receive employment opportunities.
TIP #3: CHOOSE LONG-LASTING QUALITY FABRICS
Shop smarter. Invest in quality over quantity, and choose natural biodegradable materials like organic cotton, linen, or hemp when shopping for new clothes.
According to the Environmental Audit Committee, increasing organic cotton production could minimize the fashion industry’s environmental impact, as it would reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and water. Choosing these natural materials is better for the environment and your wardrobe.
TIP #4: CLOTHES SWAP
Hosting a clothes swap with friends or family is a great way to refresh your wardrobe without breaking the bank or harming the environment.
By exchanging items, you can give a new life to clothes and promote sustainable fashion practices. Not only is this an environmentally friendly way to get new clothes, but it's also a fun social event!
TIP #5: RECYCLE TEXTILES
Recycle your unwanted textiles and garments. Textile recycling keeps these items out of landfills, helps to conserve resources, and reduces the amount of waste we generate.
Look for local recycling programs or retailers that accept textiles to support textile recycling efforts in your community. Look at where you can find textile recycling bins in Puerto Rico.
TIP #6: SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE BRANDS
As more people become aware of their environmental impact, supporting sustainable brands has become a priority for many consumers. Therefore, it’s important to research and choose companies that prioritize ethical practices and use eco-friendly materials in their production process.
By investing in sustainable brands, you can help reduce the negative impact of consumerism on the environment while also supporting businesses committed to creating positive change. Check out a list of sustainable brands in Puerto Rico and worldwide.
Team Campaign
As part of our other Earth Day component, we’re also collecting clothing items in good condition that the AD&V® team will donate. We’re doing an office clothes swap with these items so that the team can revamp their wardrobes with these preloved items to extend their life cycle. The unwanted items will be donated to another charity or recycled responsibly at our local textile recycling bins.
Lastly, we will be hosting an office fashion show where we will have a special #ADVGreenCarpet runway in which the team can strut to show off those items they found in the swap.
The fashion industry is booming, which means more and more articles of clothing are being produced every day. Unfortunately, the increasing demand for materials threatens the health of the natural environment. But that doesn't have to be the case!
By choosing sustainable fashion options over fast fashion, you can help reduce textile waste and slow down these negative consumption trends. Sustainability is more than a trend; it’s an opportunity to make a conscious difference in the world.
We hope our Earth Day efforts for this year inspire others to adopt sustainable fashion consumption methods and recycle textiles responsibly.