955 000 tonnes^1fee

That’s how much clothing Canadians throw away every year. That's a whole lot of shirts retiring early, isn't it?

What is emotional durability?

At my grandmother’s house, there was always a big bag of gently used clothing in the living room. It felt like her personal thrift shop—full of women’s clothing, kids' clothes, shoes, and knits. These were clothes in great condition, they just needed a little more love.  This concept ties into what’s called emotional durability: how long we continue to want and use a garment before it loses its attraction.

Back then, emotional durability was a way of life. Most people couldn’t afford to just “stop loving” a shirt. Today, however, even though we have access to resale websites, only 8% of clothing is reused, and the average lifespan of a garment has dropped to just 3 years.

The Fast Fashion Trap

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, we purchase 60% more clothing than our parents did, but wear them for only half as long. This cycle is unsustainable. We’re buying more, wearing less, and tossing faster. In eco-conscious terms, this contributes significantly to textile waste, environmental strain, and an endless demand for new resources.

The reason? Our culture of consumerism. We crave the newest, trendiest item, but that “new” feeling fades quickly. Fast fashion doesn’t prioritize quality or longevity. It’s designed to be disposable. That’s not smart shopping, it’s wasteful.

What Can We Do?

Here’s where the movement for eco-conscious shopping and slow fashion in Canada makes a real difference. By simply extending the life of your garments by nine months, you could reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20–30% (WRAP UK)². 

Before buying your next item, whether it's kids' clothing, women’s outerwear, or stylish basics

• Do I really need it?  
• Will I get bored of it quickly?  
• Does it go well with what I already have in my wardrobe?  
• Does the quality-price ratio make sense? Because a cheap piece of clothing is often “Fast Fashion” that’s going to fall apart after a few washes (I’ll talk more about that in another post).

Also, take a look at the materials, how it’s made, and the recommended care. A well-made garment is an investment, not just an expense.

Sustainable Fashion is Smart Fashion

Yes, quality items may be pricier, but they last longer. Online liquidation stores like Sapiens Futé and Canadian websites for clearance fashion allow you to shop smart online without sacrificing your values.

So next time you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe, remember: loving your clothes longer is a radical act of sustainability. Together, we can help reduce those 955,000 tons.

Your closet and the planet will thank you.

 

1_ Le gaspillage vestimentaire, proposition de partenariat entre les OBNL de la récupération et du réemploi du textile et l’agglomération de montréal

2_ WRAP UK.