Focus on fast fashion as event held to promote reusing and recycling clothes

Re-use, recycle and reduce the amount of new clothing you buy – that’s the message from council leaders ahead of a major climate crisis event being hosted in Rickmansworth.

Three Rivers District Council is hosting a Fast Fashion Conference to discuss and help understand the impacts the fashion industry has on our communities and its contribution to the climate crisis. The event will feature a host of organisations and information on the benefits of sustainable clothing.

Cllr Phil Williams, the council's Lead Member for Environmental Services, Climate Change and Sustainability, said: “This is an open invitation to people across Three Rivers to come and find out just how much their clothing habits can make a difference to our environment.

“The UN estimates 10% of global carbon emissions – more than air and sea travel combined - comes from the fashion industry. According to National Geographic it takes 2,720 litres of water to make just one cotton t-shirt. To ensure we are doing our part to reduce global emissions, as well as local ones, we must reduce our consumption of clothing in favour of pre-loved and upcycled”.

The evening at Watersmeet, in Rickmansworth, will include film clips, discussion, talks and a chance for residents to put questions to a panel of experts. Hertfordshire Waste Partnership will shine a light on what happens to textiles collected in Hertfordshire. Other guests will include a representative from the National Charity Shop Association, a local fashion and retail expert with experience with the Arcadia Group, Monsoon and Accessorize who is now a leading figure in sustainability, ethical trading and environmental management. Local sustainability organisation Lovedup Reloved will also be represented. The organisation is working to bring glamour to second hand clothing and upcycling of materials to extend the life cycle of garments and accessories.

The event is also being supported by Watford and Three Rivers Friends of the Earth.

The Three Rivers Fast Fashion Conference will be held at Watersmeet on Tuesday 1 November from 6.30pm to 9pm. For more information visit:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/three-rivers-textiles-talk-tickets-431579143837