The Eco Experiment

Hello Reader,

I vividly remember a few years back when I stumbled upon this Netflix documentary, "The True Cost." It left me in complete shock!! I never knew the clothes I bought were causing a series of environmental disasters and hurting many people! If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend watching it!

After watching it, I hunted for eco-friendly clothing stores in the malls as I wasn't aware of any sustainable brands then and started buying all the linen clothing I could find!

Well, that was not a very mature decision! While I had many unused clothes at home, I did not need more!

As I evolved and did more research, I realized universally,

We’re facing a crisis of overconsumption in fashion!

Some stats that will blow your mind:

1. We currently have enough clothes for the next six generations!
2. According to the United Nations, over 430 million people worldwide work in the fashion industry throughout the supply chain, and 75 million work directly in the industry, yet less than 2% earn a living wage.
3. India’s craft sector employs 12 million people, making it the second-largest job creator after agriculture, yet 30% of the workforce is leaving the trade!

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Let’s break down what these numbers really mean:

1. Clothes for 6 generations!!

Think about it! Six generations of humans could be clothed with what we already have.

This is staggering at face value.

But what’s more alarming is that this massive surplus exists while fast-fashion brands continue producing at unprecedented rates.

The average consumer buys 60% more clothing items than 15 years ago but keeps each garment for only half as long.

2. 75 million fashion workers

These are the people who make you look good! But most aren’t paid fairly.

The fashion industry employs millions globally, but the working conditions are often problematic. Less than 2% earn a living wage, highlighting the massive inequality in the supply chain.

To put this in perspective, when you buy a $50 t-shirt from a fast fashion brand, the worker who made it might earn just 50 cents. Meanwhile, sustainable brands ensure fair wages throughout their supply chain.

3. 12 million Indian artisans

India’s craft sector employs 12 million people in traditional artisanal work—preserving cultural heritage while creating sustainable products.

Yet, 30% of artisans in India have abandoned their trade in recent years due to competition from cheap, mass-produced fashion. Each artisan who leaves takes generations of irreplaceable knowledge and skill with them.

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So, how do we balance less consumption while supporting garment workers and artisans?

Being an Eco-minimalist, this has been my approach:

1. I’m honest with myself—not all the clothes I need are available from sustainable brands as of now. Rarely, but yes, I have bought from fast fashion brands. Not all fast fashion is terrible quality. I opt for skin-friendly, eco-friendly fabrics. The more we choose to invest in eco-friendly fabrics, the more demand we increase for them.
2. I maximize use - I wear my old clothes until they fall apart!
3. I invest wisely. For the past few years, I have bought clothes once every couple of years from sustainable clothing brands that support artisans and pay fairly. Yes, they cost more because everyone in the supply chain is paid properly!
4. For variety lovers - Try thrift stores to swap clothes you’re bored with for something new.
5. Family solutions - Swap clothes with family and friends for events so you don’t repeat outfits.
6. Special occasions - Consider renting for weddings or big parties if you don’t like repeating outfits.

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Our choices drive change!

My prediction is that sustainable fashion will eventually become the norm, not the exception.

Consumer choices drive industry change, and small tweaks in how we shop can make a tremendous difference—not just for millions of workers worldwide but for our planet’s resources and our own well-being.

What do you think? Can your shopping habits make a difference? Would you pay more for ethically made clothing?

The Eco Sheroes Podcast

Meet Ann from The Craft Safari! 🌟

She’s doing incredible work with artisans throughout India!

Ann personally sponsors their trips to Dubai, helping them gain visibility and providing us access to their eco-friendly, naturally dyed fabrics in Dubai. 🙂

The struggles these artisans face are truly heart-wrenching, Reader! Why? Because we’ve shifted to inexpensive clothing without realizing who is paying the price on our behalf!

Ann takes us on a journey into her exploration and insights into the world of these remarkable artisans, their talent, and their struggles!

You can watch the episode on YouTube here.

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If you prefer only the audio version, you can listen to it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts :)

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If you watch or listen to this or any of the episodes and find it impactful, please like, comment, and subscribe :)

I will be very grateful to you for doing this, as you are helping these essential messages reach a wider audience!

Thank you so much for your continued support in spreading the word about sustainability.

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Hope to hear from you :)

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Cheers,

Pallavi :)

“ Living in sync with nature will bring you good health, peace, and prosperity. — Pallavi Santhapuram Follow me on Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Tiktok | Youtube | X/Twitter​ Visit my website www.theecoloop.com​

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