@ewwr.eu @2EWWR www.ewwr.eu #EWWR2019 #ReduceYourWaste

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Waste education and communication:

Change your ways,

Reduce your waste

Tip sheet: How to give your clothes a longer life

The European Week for Waste Reduction 2019

Extending the life of your clothes is the best way to reduce the environmental impact of your closet, research has revealed.

That is to say nothing of the positive benefits stemming from pro-longed wear that are associated with saving money, preventing waste and avoiding unnecessary consumption. Follow the advice below to make sure your garmets look nicer for longer.

WASHING T IPS:◊ Follow the instructions on the care label.◊ Mend tears before introducing garments in the washing ma-

chine to prevent them from getting worse.◊ Turn sweaters and knits inside out to prevent pilling.◊ Unbotton top botton on dress shirts, coats and dresses to

minimise wear to folds.◊ Replace bleach with white vinegar to whiten your clothes. It

is more gentle on fabrics, less toxic and less polluting. ◊ Dry your clothes on a drying rack instead of a drier. The

high temperature in the drier will wear your clothes out faster. Using the drier also results in higher energy consumption.

◊ Make sure the washing cycle you selelct is adequate to the types of fabrics you are washing. For example, polyester re-quires lower temperatures than cotton.

USE T IPS:◊ Do not store clothing in excessively hot or humid places.◊ When spraying perfume or other aerosols, make sure to

avoid your clothes. ◊ Treat stains as soon as possible. The longer a stain stays

on a piece of garment, the lower the chances that it will come out.

◊ Avoid ironing and steaming your clothes, if possible. If you must iron them, use the lowest setting possible.

◊ Avoid using skinny metal hangers altogether to hang your clothes. Instead, use padded hangers to prevent sagging.

MORE RESOURCES:ECAP. Mapping clothing impacts in Europe: the environmental cost.

EP Briefing. Environmental impact of the textile and clothing industry. What consumers need to know.GFA. A call to action for a circular fashion agenda. A Policy Brief.

Mistra Future Fashion. Report. Environmental assessment of Swedish fashion consumption.Warner Service. 19 Ways to Actually Extend The Life Of Your Clothes