A Forever Solution or a Temporary Compensation?
How long can we endure wearing an outfit that is drenched by rain? If that is not a problem, how about let it sticks on us and dry naturally because that is the only wearable piece that we have?
Let’s contrast. It is pretty stunning that individual consumer in the USA throws away on average 70 pounds of shoes and clothes per year. Throwing is never a problem; we “throw” away oxygen so that plants can utilize then to do photosynthesis. However, the same balance in the ecosystem does not happen in the fashion industry. 85% of the wasted textiles go to the landfill where it occupies 5% of the total landfill space on our planet. There are a decent amount of synthetic clothing in the landfill category, and no surprise it takes hundreds of years to decompose. It is such a pity because they have missed a group of consumers that need them the most.
Homeless is a hard choice for around 60,000 people in NYC. Lack of affordable housing is a significant cause, but the harsh street environment makes this inevitable choice even harder. They need something to protect themselves so that they might have a chance to make homeless a lifestyle but not torture. Synthetic clothing materials are excellent choices to protect them. First of all, they are easier than any kinds of materials to make water-proved clothing for homeless people. Their lower-cost and easy to recycle if appropriately done might be the second compelling reason, and lastly, synthetic material is more likely to endure scratching and friction compare to traditional fabrics.
Now we can see how the story connects. It is so easy to see the defect of the circle, but few people are standing out to complete it. Is money the most significant handicap to stop us? It should not be. In NYC, the taxpayer has already spent 370 million dollars in homeless shelter costs alone. However, there are only 42% of all the homeless in NYC can reach a temporary shelter. The problem cannot be solved unless we can reconsider their basic needs. They stay inside a piece of garment way longer than inside a shelter. The day that everyone owns a house will come eventually, but before that, let us use clothes to protect homeless people. The fashion industry can consider creating some multi-functional clothing made by the recycled synthetic wastes. Such as, a piece of garment that can turn into a sleeping bag. In that way, those who do not have shelters can live a much healthier life.
It might be a good time to redistribute taxes and donations that target homeless people. To rent an accommodation might be short-termed, but to establish a mature recycle ecosystem and creating new multi-functional garment can benefit forever.
Sources:
“State of the Homeless in New York City.” Coalition For The Homeless
LeBlanc, Rick. “Fashion Recycling: Just the Facts.” The Balance Small Business
“Fashion Industry Waste Statistics.” E D G E, 1 Apr. 2019
