Community, Culture + Craftsmanship: Reclaiming Conscious Consumerism

How are communities leading the shift towards sustainable consumption habits, and how are brands responding? Many of us want to care for items long and support brands with ethical practices and repair programs, but what communal systems exist to support us in that journey? In this episode we learn more about the re-emergence of sustainable community culture to combat our devastating waste systems and how it’s being driven by local organizers and shop-keepers that are making the art of mending cool again.

Script + Narration by @ariellevking
Research by @ariellevking + @diandramarizet
Audio Engineering + Music by @awesomenostalgia
Produced by @diandramarizet + @sustainablesabs
This episode is sponsored by @keen

Episode Transcript

Introduction

Welcome to the Joy Report— a podcast dedicated to sharing stories about climate solutions and environmental justice, grounded in intersectionality and optimism—brought to you by the organization, Intersectional Environmentalist. Tune in for a dose of climate joy and actionable steps you can take to help protect people and the planet. I’m your host, Arielle King, an environmental justice strategist and educator passionate about making environmentalism irresistible. This podcast aims to give you the tools you need to stay informed and take action to protect the planet.

In this episode, we’re exploring conscious consumerism— how do our purchasing habits impact not just our own lives, but the health of our planet and the well-being of communities worldwide? How can we spend more intentionally and prioritize community, craft, and the act of slowing down?

The Problem

Let’s start by acknowledging the harsh reality: overconsumption is wreaking havoc on both people and the planet. In our digital age, the relentless pursuit of the latest trends, and the pressure to keep up with the ever-accelerating cycle of fashion and consumer goods have led to a culture of excess and instant gratification that disconnects us from every part of the lifecycle of our wardrobes. And when we think about the length of time that these garments and accessories are actually in our possession, which is growing shorter and shorter, we begin to see the true cost of modern fashion consumption. In 2021, the World Economic Forum identified the fashion industry and its supply chain as the world’s third-largest polluter, and 20% of global wastewater can be directly linked to textile dyeing.

100 billion garments are produced each year globally, and of that, 92 million tonnes end up in landfills. As clothing degrades, it releases harmful chemicals like methane, which is 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, and the other toxins used to treat these textiles, like PFAS, which we spent the last episode exploring. However, the impacts of overconsumption are not evenly distributed. These issues disproportionately impact ‘developing nations’, which we believe are more appropriately described as "exploited nations," where most of the world’s waste is dumped. This global practice was born out of "Not-In-My-Backyard", or “NIMBY” sentiments that reflect a global imbalance where wealthy countries export their waste to poorer nations to maintain wealth. This exploitation perpetuates a colonial legacy, leaving marginalized communities in exploited nations to suffer from contaminated water, soil, and air.

If this is something you’re interested in learning more about, check out the digital toolkit IE created titled, “Modern-Day Imperialism in the Global Waste Trade” which goes into depth about how waste systems extend across global supply chains and perpetuate harm. You can find it on IE’s website.

Amidst this bleak landscape, there are rays of hope and examples of change. Communities around the world are mobilizing to reclaim their power and challenge the status quo. From waste pickers in Dehli, India fighting back against incinerator projects, to grassroots campaigns in Belém (beh-luhm), Brazil organizing to halt the reopening of local disposal sites, people are standing up to demand a more just and sustainable future.

But what about those of us who may not live in directly exploited countries? How does overconsumption impact us? The constant bombardment of trends on social media has fueled a culture of impulsive shopping, with devastating consequences for both our environment and our individuality. We’ve become disconnected from nature, from ourselves, and from each other, as we chase after the latest fad, regardless of the toll it takes on the planet. A Business Insider article released last year, titled “The Devil Wears Shein” points out that Gen Z often expresses not feeling like we can afford sustainable clothing, but according to a McKinsey study, “consumers today are buying 60% more than they did in the year 2000, and keeping it only half as long”, proving that young people are developing a concerning addiction to fast fashion.

A 2023 Shein Advertisement:

“This is Shein. The ultimate one stop shop to affordable style. Production is fast! Sketches are sent to our factories, where top technology works alongside human hands to create our designs. Our design teams are world class. Experts in scouting the latest trends, from the runway to the street, to the gram - This is Shein, where we believe the beauty of fashion should be accessible to everyone.

This has serious consequences that disconnect us from the environment - and when we become disconnected from nature, we become disconnected from ourselves. By being told over and over again that trends matter (even as they continue to deplete our natural resources, pollute our environment, and destroy critical eco-systems) we allow brands to desensitize us to the killing of our planet.

As urban societies continue to grow, more people are spending less time in green spaces and further distancing ourselves from the natural world, which diminishes our appreciation for vital the role nature plays in our daily lives. It makes us far less likely to: demand greener cities that offer the physical + psychological benefits of existing near nature spaces, and to demand green jobs that challenge industries to produce things more responsibly.

I want to level set that it is the responsibility of companies to invest in more sustainable production methods and divest from reliance on mass consumption culture - but with climate change looming over us, what are we - as individuals - to do?

It’s time to ask ourselves: who do we want to be as consumers? Are we content to be mere followers of fashion, beholden to the whims of a profit-driven industry? OR can we reclaim our agency and individuality by embracing a more mindful approach to consumption? It’s time to shift our focus from quantity to quality, from mindless accumulation to thoughtful curation.

As we navigate this complex terrain, let’s remember that change begins with each of us. By reevaluating our purchasing habits and demanding accountability from the brands we support, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future.

In one of my favorite essays from the iconic bell hooks, titled Touching the Earth, she reminds, us in the first lines:

When we love the earth, we are able to love ourselves more fully. I believe this. The ancestors taught me so.

Loving the Earth, and keeping the Earth and all of its inhabitants in mind as we make decisions, creates a positive feedback loop of good choices that can help us create a better world.

Intervention

Within the 17 Principles of Environmental Justice, an essential document in the movement for an intersectional approach to environmentalism, one principle declares that, “Environmental Justice requires that we, as individuals, make personal and consumer choices to consume as little of Mother Earth's resources and to produce as little waste as possible; and make the conscious decision to challenge and reprioritize our lifestyles to ensure the health of the natural world for present and future generations.”

The 17 principles were published in 1992, and they are perhaps even more relevant and necessary today than they were 30 years ago. In response to this call to action— coupled with the lack of action from governments, an increasingly changing climate, consumer desire, and more— we are witnessing a resurgence of honoring culture and craft, which is resulting in a return to the roots of handmade goods and artisanal craftsmanship. This movement isn’t just slowing down consumption cycles, it’s about reclaiming our connection to the things we wear and the stories we tell. It’s about recognizing the value of sustainability in fashion as a way of life.

Across the industry, independent brands, marketplaces, and organizations have been cropping up to help us make more ethical and intentional consumption choices. One shining example is the Slow Fashion Fest, a growing movement in Austin, Texas. This event is more than just a market; it’s a celebration of community and connection, a gathering of like-minded individuals striving to make a positive impact on the fashion industry.

Voice clip from Reza Cristian of Slow Fashion Fest:

“My name is Reza Christian, founder of Sustain the Mag, and one of the core four founders of Slow Fashion Fest. We created Slow Fashion Fest since we felt there needed to be a space that is the opposition of fast fashion from mass producing clothing, micro trends, and unethical labor practices, and instead highlight upcycling, mending, thrifting, and, of course, borrowing from each other's closets. Austin has a huge creative community, and we wanted to create a space that is accessible for everyone and bring everyone under one roof to push the status quo of ultra consumerism. Through our events, we host workshops, panels, clothing swaps, have an art gallery, and of course a Slow Fashion show.

The slow fashion festival strives to cultivate connection, community, and awareness around the Slow Fashion movement through events, publications, and community building. This past Earth Month for our fashion show, we were able to have a panel where one of the speakers from the nonprofit hardening was able to talk about making sure that every unwanted item goes to someone in need in our Austin community rather than ending up in the landfill. It was awesome to give some tips about circular living on top of hosting amazing slow fashion designers all in one roof.”

Similarly, platforms like Cadre are paving the way for a more sustainable future. By curating a selection of independent sustainable brands and rigorously vetting them for their material and social impact, Cadre is making it easier for consumers to make informed choices that align with their values.

Voice clip from Tania Ali, Founder and CEO of Cadre Style:

“Hi. I'm Tanya Ali, the founder and CEO of Cadre Style, an online store for truly sustainable brands. A bit about me, I'm an ex lawyer, so I am really into regulation and what you define things with. And being from that space, what I saw in sustainable fashion is there is no first of all, we know regulation, but way for a customer to know what is truly sustainable and how do we measure that. So at CADRE, we have what I call a rigorous process of a CADRE assessment, and then we've partnered with Hey Social Good to do essentially a background check to validate all the claims a brand is making about its sustainability.

And we do this using the CADRE criteria, which is 3 pillars that a brand must stand on for it to be considered for the assessment, and that includes transparency. So we want you to, as a brand, be transparent end to end from, you know, where the product's being made, what materials are being used, to anything along the path and journey to get from inception to the customer's hands. We then check for fair labor because I truly believe in order for us to have a sustainable planet, we need to sustain the people as much as we need to sustain the planet. So we're checking for things like living wage, child labor, safe working conditions, which brings us to the 3rd criteria, which is waste reduction. And as some of you might know, fashion is one of the largest contributors to waste on our planet.

That comes from the toxins in dyes, the water excessive water that's used to produce garments, to what happens to the product after we're done with it. And we won't go into fast fashion at this moment, but it's a lot. So we work with brands that are exclusively using recycled materials or biodegradable materials to help reduce the impact of waste. And that's how we measure our brands.”

And there’s also Rue Saint Paul, a sustainable collective based in Brooklyn, New York. This innovative concept closet connects sustainably and ethically conscious designers with communities— offering a curated selection of new, rental, and pre-owned sustainable fashion options. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration and community in driving responsible consumption habits.

Voice Clip from Kelly Wong of Rue Saint Paul:

“My name is Kelly Wong. I am the owner of Rue Saint Paul in Brooklyn, New York. We are a shopping community dedicated to circular and sustainable fashion. We're the only independent store in New York where you can buy new, rent, and sell and thrift sustainable fashion all under one roof. So when I opened our space in 2020, it was really important to me that we weren't just a place to buy things, and there was a place for every budget.

I really wanted to create a space that felt like a community closet, where you can sell clothes that you've outgrown, borrow clothes that you don't need to own forever, and be able to thrift as well. I always say that buying new should really be your last resort. So if my customers really started It really started off, all as a big experiment. I knew people rented online and obviously thrifted, but I had no idea if you put new, used rentals all under one roof, how people would respond. Thankfully for us, the response has been pretty positive.

I mean, there are some people that walk in are like, wait. What do you guys do? What does rentals mean? But most people make think that makes complete sense because it gives you optionality in how you consume clothes. So we love seeing people take our rentals to weddings, vacations, family photo shoots.

We love seeing people sell their vintage treasures or even old RSP pieces back to us. And for the rentals and used pieces, it also helps those with tighter budgets still be able to participate in sustainable fashion because it's the same price range as fast fashion, but you're supporting sustainable designers and small businesses. So kind of this very you know, we have a very small circular ecosystem, and we're totally biased, But we think this way of consuming circularly is really how, every community should be doing it and how every shop should be doing it as well.”

And there are also events like the Circular Fashion Playground that I attended recently here in New York City, hosted by the organization Reclypt. This immersive experience brought together panels, workshops, clothing swaps, and more to promote circularity in fashion.

It’s a reminder that sustainability isn’t just about what we buy; it’s about how we engage with our clothing and the systems that produce it.

In a world where terms like “unskilled laborer” have eroded the value of craftsmanship, these initiatives feel like a breath of fresh air. They’re reclaiming the narrative while simultaneously celebrating the artistry and skill behind the clothes we wear. And in doing so, they’re practicing radical imagination by being the change the fashion industry so desperately needs.

So, as consumers, how can we make better, more intentional connections with craft? How can we support initiatives like the ones highlighted so far in this episode and so many others? How can we reimagine American culture— unraveling it at the seams to create something more equitable, just, and less consumed by the weight of capitalism?

Main Story

Communities around the world are leading a revolution in how we think about consumption. They’re rejecting the throwaway culture of capitalism and embracing a more regenerative approach to living— a way that has been seen, felt, and experienced by communities of color for millennia. And in doing so, we’re holding brands accountable and prompting them to think more critically about circularity and sustainability.

Let’s take, for example, the growing popularity of the art of mending and upcycling. People are seeking ways to more clearly define their personal style, highlight their creativity, and expand the lifespan of items in their closets. It’s a movement that’s as much about self-expression as it is about sustainability.

One brand leading by example in this shift is KEEN, a company that believes in fostering a culture of ownership rather than consumerism. They don’t just sell shoes in stores; they encourage their fans to purchase from their garages and own the shoes— to care for them, and cherish them for years to come. This is one of the reason’s we’re excited to partner with KEEN for this episode. Keen’s products are built to last, using innovative materials and manufacturing techniques, proving that quality and sustainability can go hand in hand.

But it’s not just brands driving this change; it’s individuals like Dominque Drakeford, a sustainability expert dedicated to redefining the ideology of sustainability. Through her work, Dominique is bridging the gaps between the environmental movement and targeted communities— reclaiming sustainability from an African Diasporan lens.

Archival clips from Dominique Drakeford speaking for the American Program Bureau:

“In our political system that has maintained colonial frameworks, a lot of it is propaganda - the facade of action and policy actually taking place.

We have so many brilliant brains in here, but because because of the colonization of our educational system, we don't know who the black women and the indigenous women are who have paved the way innovatively, scientifically, educationally, who have paved the way for where you are today.”

She’s not just talking about change, she’s actively contributing to it, and emphasizing the value of putting Black, Brown, and indigenous change agents at the forefront of these conversations.

And then there’s the Suay Sew Shop in LA, a pioneer in the cleanup economy. Founded in 2017, Suay is committed to creating a culture of community and reuse. They’re not just diverting textiles from landfills, they’re investing in skilled laborers and creating a truly transparent textile recycling, reuse, and repair model that serves everyone. It’s a model that puts people and the planet first; challenging the systemic injustices that exist within the fashion industry.

Clip from Lindsay Rose Meda of Sew Shop:

“My name is Lindsay Rose Meda, and I'm the CEO of Suay Sew Shop. We need, like, steady commitment to ourselves, a belief in oneself. We're so scared and we all wanna do our part, which is natural, but people might be surprised after enough pressure of what brands will do to really show up. We should demand that brands own their own factories and be responsible for their own labor, and we should demand that they use truly sustainable materials, and we should demand that they don't make more than they need to and we should demand that they have lifetime warranties. You know? But all of that feels so big. Like, if that feels too big, just, you know, repair your jeans and shop at a thrift store in the meantime.”

Now is the time to rethink consumption, redefine ownership, and embrace a future where sustainability is not just a buzzword but a way of life.

Call to Action

There are plenty of ways you can be a more conscious consumer, but here are a few:

First, remember that the most sustainable clothing you can have is the clothing you already own. There’s no need to run out after listening to this episode and start purchasing a new wardrobe with sustainability in mind. Wear what you have, and think about new ways you can wear it for longer.

And while you’re shopping your closet, don’t forget that you can, and should, repair items. Learning basic sewing skills, like patching up a hole or replacing a button, helps preserve the craft of tailoring and extends the lifespan of your clothes. And if a project feels too complex, don’t be afraid to take it to a local tailor or seamstress. According to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, repair can increase a garment’s use by 75% and reduce its carbon emissions by 30%.

But if you find that you’re really struggling to make a piece work, consider saving it for an upcoming clothing swap in your area, giving it away in your local buy-nothing group, asking a friend if they’re interested in the piece, or selling it on a resale website, like Depop or Poshmark.

And if the garment is absolutely un-useable, look for local scrap and textile collection sites in your area, or opt for an online version like For Days.

Remember, you don’t have to purchase a new outfit for every single event you attend. Think creatively about what you already have, or consider renting an outfit before purchasing something new.

If you’re up for a real challenge, consider a no-buy period. One of IE’s co-founders, Sabs Katz, frequently does no-buy seasons on her social media @sustainablesabs, where she shows great tips for how you can try one as well. And Last year, my friend Cassandra Pintro launched a new initiative called The Consumption Project with a Vogue article titled, “Why I (a fashion-lover) am giving up fashion— for now”. The project is a resource and community for people who love fashion but want to reject a more-is-more shopping philosophy. If this sounds like something you’d like to commit to, consider signing the pledge to commit to now new clothing for a year on the website linked in this episode’s shownotes.

Being a conscious consumer also allows you to engage more with your local community. Shop local whenever you can, and find groups and companies near you that are promoting a more circular fashion industry.

There are also tons of resources across multiple mediums to help you learn more about issues within the current fashion system: like IE’s toolkit on waste colonialism; a new HBO documentary called “Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion”; or one of the original fast fashion docs like, ‘The True Cost’.

Other Positive Climate News

And here's some other positive climate news you should know about:

• Cities worldwide are removing concrete and asphalt to promote natural growth of the local ecosystem.

• In an effort to keep waste out of landfill, ebay recently announced that they’re dropping fees for individuals who sell secondhand clothing.

• A group of researchers near Chile found over 100 never-before-seen sea creatures. They hope these newly found sea creatures can be conserved in the region’s rich biodiversity.

IE-Related Updates

And in the world of Intersectional Environmentalist…

IE recently launched the Intersectional Environmentalist Database - a search tool that showcases organizations and efforts all over the U.S. by state and by key topic areas. IE has long served as ‘movement-connectors’ through our educational resources, and we’ve utilized our platforms to center intersectional environmental orgs + efforts all over the world. This new database is meant to strengthen IE’s capacity to connect you with local environmental + grassroots efforts.

Check out ‘An Intersectional Approach to Earth Day’: a brand new toolkit now available on the IE website which takes us through the history of Earth Month. Dating back to the inaugural Earth Day in 1970, this toolkit calls for a reimagining of Earth Month that centers the experiences of marginalized communities, addressing systemic inequalities, and promoting environmental justice for a more inclusive and equitable future.

If you love this podcast and want to support IE’s ongoing resource development, please remember that sharing our resources across platforms, rating our podcast episodes, and donating to the organization helps us continue this work.

Outro

And remember, fighting the climate crisis is a marathon, not a sprint. We need everyone to get involved in a way that feels right for them, now more than ever.

Our individual positive actions do have power, and they’re strengthened when we do them as a collective. Tune in next episode where we’re doing a deep dive into funding and investments for climate justice.

I’m your host, Arielle King, and thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Joy Report.

Show Notes

Take The Consumption Project Pledge: www.consumptionproject.org/challenge-accepted