What Does Sustainability Mean?: Easy Beginners Guide - Darn Good Yarn

What Does Sustainability Mean?: Easy Beginners Guide

Sustainability: it's a loaded question. Sustainability, when asked to be defined by different people, can mean entirely different things. Which is why when asked about it most people feel an overwhelming uncertainty flow over them-- so much so you may run away from the idea that you could be living a more eco-conscious life! Through our upcoming Sustainability Series, we hope to bring insight, tell you about the current state of sustainability, and hopefully make you feel confident to be a more conscious consumer!

Although the path to a sustainable future has many twists and turns, the most important takeaway is to move along with it, not against. Ever heard of the phrase 'you learn something new every day'? That is most definitely the case when it comes to sustainability. What’s important to keep reminding yourself, is that the overarching theme for sustainability is to lessen waste, consume consciously, and help sustain our work instead of destroying it. 

Some facts:

Second, only to oil, the clothing and textile industry is the largest polluter in the world (1) 

It takes 700 gallons of water to make a cotton shirt (2)

The average American throws out about 82 pounds of textile waste per year (2)

Clothes can take up to 40 years to decompose (2)

95% of textiles can be recycled (2) 


We know, these statistics shocked us too. We know that people waste, we know it takes natural resources to create clothing… but did we realize how much? What’s most shocking of all is knowing that almost all of it can be recycled! 

At Darn Good Yarn, we are committed to shaping a more sustainable future and to help not only educate our customers but actually provide solutions. We focus on fiber content, upcycling potential, and helping create a more successful life for our partner creators in India. To us, sustainability is about our planet and our people. We believe in slow consuming. Which is why we provide kits so more people are able to make their own clothing. Having a hand in creating the things you use every day means you are living a sustainable life. Purchasing a product that is made of upcycled, recycled, or natural fibers and dyes means you are contributing to the greater good! We believe that doing good leads to feeling good. 

There are many ways you can be sustainable. First, buy products with sustainable qualities. These could be ones made of organic fibers, recycled fibers, or something that is dyed with eco-wash, or even sources ethically. Just to name a few! As a consumer is it very easy to get lost in the sea of green-washing. But at Darn Good Yarn, we promise to never greenwash, never lie, and always work to being better! You want to build an honest trust with our consumers. 

From fiber to finish there is extensive waste within the fashion industry. One way you can help with the waste is by purchasing garments made from upcycled fabric! Our Sari Skirt is made of 100% upcycled fabric. All fabric is worn, loved, and re-loved into a beautiful new garment for our customers.

At Darn Good Yarn we believe that sustainability is not a trend and instead of a mentality. We can all take small steps to create a brighter future for us and for future generations.

  1. http://www.alternet.org/environment/its-second-dirtiest-thing-world-and-youre-wearing-it;  Forbes – Making Climate Change Fashionable – The Garment Industry Takes on Global Warming
  2. https://www.planetaid.org/blog/8-little-known-facts-about-our-clothing-habits