We now live in a world where luxuries are cheap but necessities are expensive. And if we see a deal, we’re going to jump on it without thinking too much about where the product came from, who made it, and how the product is going to affect the environment.

And when it comes to pollution, despite what’s believed by many, the truth is the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters on the planet. In fact, the emissions released by this industry are greater than those caused by international flights and shipping.

As clothes prices go down, people are more inclined to buy new things, which eventually they don’t wear. This is wasteful behavior, and tons of garments end up in landfills which sometimes pollute our rivers, groundwater, and oceans.

The silver lining here is that consumers can do more to be eco-friendly shoppers. If more people adopted minimalist lifestyles and considered conscious consumption, the world would be in a better place.

Here are a few steps you can take to become a more eco-friendly consumer:

#1: Make Yourself Aware

First, you need to be aware of the environment-harming things that big fashion is doing. Many blogs, books, and podcasts can help you learn about how the fashion industry harms the planet.

#2: Support Local & Small Businesses

Supporting small businesses like Brand X Huaraches is a great way to become a more eco-friendly shopper. When you buy from a small business, you’re supporting families and communities instead of padding the pockets of rich corporations.

In return, you get bang for your buck, and you get to develop relationships with people who care about what they do. Products made by small businesses are often of higher quality and featuring better craftsmanship.

#3: Value Quality Over Quantity

Have you ever bought a cute top or summer sandals from a “leading” fashion brand and found that your purchase doesn’t even last a year? Trends are created and pushed all the time, and having to keep up with fashion trends will lead to never-ending shopping and a lot of wasted money.

Break out of this habit by purchasing high-quality pieces instead of low-quality ones. Once you switch to valuing quality over quantity, you’ll notice that your items last longer and age better. And you’ll save so much money when you’re not buying new clothes every couple of weeks. This will in turn help the planet.

#4: Reduce How Much Trash You Create

Trash is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to pollution. Human beings create so much trash every second of every day—it’s unbelievable. With this in mind, don’t throw away clothes you’re no longer using. Instead, give them away to charity so somebody else can wear them.

#5: Shop With Sustainable & Ethical Brands

Choose brands that are committed to ensuring fair manufacturing practices and sustainable production. When you shop with these brands, you’re directly supporting millions of people worldwide. You’re helping animals and the environment as well.

About Brand X Huaraches

Brand X Huaraches is a leading manufacturer of handmade Mexican huarache sandals. Using sustainable manufacturing practices, Brand X Huaraches works with talented Mexican artisans to create best-in-class footwear. A portion of the proceeds from each sale are donated to help local communities. So if you wear their huaraches Mexicanos, you can feel comfortable and confident as you support the environment. Visit https://www.brandxhuaraches.com/ to learn more.