Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. What's more, 85% of all textiles go to the dump each year. And washing some types of clothes sends thousands of bits of plastic into the ocean.
Nepal is catching up with ‘fashion pollution’ with the ever-growing fast fashion market, countless numbers of clothing stores from online to physical and not to forget the increasing prices.
However, with every problem comes a solution.
We can see youngsters stepping up for sustainable fashion – choosing natural fabric, renting clothes, thrifting, and also recycling.
Rental and thrift culture in Nepal is slowly growing, especially in Kathmandu.
CEO of Antidote Nepal (clothing rental store) and Antidote go (thrift store), Manish Jung Thapa, compares his platform to Pathao, Foodmandu, Airbnb, and Daraz. “On Airbnb you are sharing a space, and while thrifting you are sharing preloved apparel, accessories, bags, shoes, books and home decor. Coming to rental you keep your stuff while renting it out for a certain time.”
“Rental is by far the most affordable option when it comes to traditional wear,” he adds.
Rental and thrifting are not just environment-friendly but also economy-friendly for both parties.
“Nearly 80% of our customers buy from us because they find great deals’, whereas, the remaining do so as they are conscious of the harmful effect of fast fashion on the environment,” adds Thapa.
As per Thapa, a thrift or rental business is profitable for both buyers and sellers.
“Our top sellers earn anywhere between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000 a month by simply listing and selling their preloved items,” he shares.
Talking to Samita Rana, coordinator at Sukhawati Store, a non-profitable organisation for thrifting, shares, “Some of our customers are aware of fashion pollution. They don’t just buy but practice sustainable steps by donating to our store making it easier for us to sell products at a cheaper rate.”
Most of the people choosing this culture are usually youngsters.
Thapa shares, “Antidote GO caters to urban women between the ages of 18 and 24 whereas Antidote Nepal caters to working professionals between the ages of 24 and 32.”
Rana, meanwhile, mentions that thrift and rental culture are not the only solutions to stem fashion pollution. She gives examples of organisations like Hatti Hatti and Mendo Nepal that are involved in making scrunchies, tops and dresses through materials derived from worn-out sarees.
“We need more creative projects to solve the problem of fashion pollution but also make clothes that are affordable,” says Rana.
Anzella Shrestha, a student of IEC College, who loves to thrift and sell her clothes as well shares that she does so due to her concern for the ‘environment’. She mentions that she is well aware of fashion pollution, hence chose the sustainable way.
“I also like to recycle my clothes,” says Shrestha, adding, “I haven't shopped for new clothes for more than a year unless it’s a gift.”
As per reports, it takes 2,700 litres to make one shirt, which means water enough for one person for two-and-a-half years. And extending the life of clothing by another nine months helps reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20-30% each. “This literally means that buying unnecessary clothes is adding an unnecessary burden on mother Earth,” states Rana.
However, a lot of people in Nepal are still not aware of the effect that fashion has on the environment. And many are still skeptical about thrifting. Sharing clothes somehow doesn’t seem appealing. Thapa shares that donating or selling clothes that no longer serve you not only helps the environment but reaches someone who really needs it.
Thrift stores in Valley
