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Guest Post: Why Isn’t Sustainable Fashion A Thing In Malta?

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Sustainable fashion in Malta isn’t a hot topic.

Although we have seen a rise in sustainable designers in the country and a bit more buzz regarding the topic, it is still not discussed enough.

Sustainable fashion is a term used for clothes that are made ethically, on all pillars of sustainability – environmental, social, and economic.

But do some countries, especially Malta, not adapt this ethical way of producing and consuming clothes?

I am a student at the University of Warwick studying Psychology and Global Sustainable Development. Many people ask me how these two disciplines overlap. In response, I explain that understanding human behaviour and the ways that our brain functions, is key in finding solutions to the problems in different areas of life – including how to transition to greener, more sustainable lifestyles.

My interest in sustainable fashion especially emerged post-COVID, when shopping in retail shops suddenly became overwhelming – the lights, the queues, the infinite rails of clothes.

I had lost all interest in shopping and started exploring the world of second-hand fashion. Living in Brussels but now studying in the UK, vintage and antique shops are found in every corner of every street. However, in Malta, these shops are not as common.

Thus, to explore these interests further, I decided to join the sustainable fashion society in my university: Warwick Clothes Circuit.

Warwick Clothes Circuit is a student-led society passionate about promoting a future of fashion which is sustainable, ethical, and circular. We organise charity shop crawls in which we promote purchasing second-hand items, hold upcycling workshops to revamp used clothing, and host panel events with speakers who specialise in the field of sustainable fashion.

We also post weekly sustainable fashion news roundups on Instagram (@warwickclothescircuit), to update our followers on the journey of the fashion industry towards sustainability.

 

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A post shared by Circuit (@warwickclothescircuit)

Moreover, in October, we created our TikTok page (@warwickclothescircuit) as a way of reaching a larger audience.

In one sustainable fashion news roundup done by our society, Savoo conducted a survey that found Malta ranking last in European sustainable shopping habits.

As a Maltese, discovering this shocking ranking made me wonder why our small island is not performing as well as Finland, who ranked first for the most sustainable shopping habits.

Furthermore, it was found that Malta has the lowest recycling rates with just 10.5% of its total waste saved from landfill in 2020.

Malta also produces 129kg of household waste per capita each year. There is also a lack of flea markets and antique stores.

So, what can Malta do to transition towards a more sustainable shopping mindset? Moreover, what can we do to improve Malta’s ranking?

Well, Malta’s transition to greener, more sustainable shoppers won’t be an easy one.

Although we have seen young, sustainable designers emerging in our country, they must make their voices heard to make sustainability in the fashion industry the new norm.

Generation Z has the power to make that change. When I first joined the society, I was amazed to see how much impact we make, without being known globally. Despite being a small group of students on the team, we have managed to influence many on campus by being consistent in the message we convey.

And Malta must do the exact same.

Many still consume clothing obsessively and are unaware of the alternatives that sustainable fashion can offer.

Therefore, raising awareness should be Malta’s first step towards a more sustainable way of consumption as it is vital to educate consumers about the impacts of shopping on both the environment and the workers producing these clothes.

Just like Fashion Revolution states, we must ask ourselves: “Who made my clothes?”. Where are my clothes made? What were the working conditions? With what textiles? With what wages? These are important questions that we should all start asking ourselves when purchasing new clothing items.

Although many will find it time consuming and tiresome, “it’s about making it a habit”, just like environmentalist Cami Appelgren said about the new BCRS (Beverage Container Refund Scheme).

Next, we must use our creativity to induce change.

Malta is full of creative, young people that can use their skills to make a difference. Just like Warwick Clothes Circuit, the younger generation has the power to make small steps towards change.

We have managed to combine our skills in marketing, art, and event planning to make consumers more aware of the changes they can implement to be kinder to our common home, Earth.

By organising upcycling workshops, vintage sales and charity shop crawls, we introduce people to the alternatives of fast fashion. These events are not only beneficial to the environment but also to us, as we bond as a community and create meaningful friendships.

To reduce Malta’s textile waste, it is important to organise donations and car boot sales. These will enable people to sell the clothes they do not want and give them a second life, promoting circularity instead of disposability.

Thus, as consumers, we must set a limit on how many clothes we have and not buy unnecessarily – at the end of the day the most sustainable clothes are those already in our wardrobe.

We must change our mindset and understand that the small amount of joy and adrenaline rush that we receive when buying a new item is not worth it.

We must promote clothes rental and mending services and implement buying more consciously – to do both our wallets and the planet a favour.

Juliette is a student at the University of Warwick in the UK studying Global Sustainable Development with a passion for sustainability and grasping a better understanding of consumer behaviour. 

Lovin Malta is open to interesting, compelling guest posts from third parties. These opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Submit your piece at [email protected]

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