By Trimmel Gomes
Florida News Connection
What if your trash could be the key to a more sustainable wardrobe?
The group Keep Orlando Beautiful is proving it is possible with its annual “Trash 2 Trends” initiative, where discarded materials — literal garbage — are transformed into stunning, runway-worthy outfits.
It is not just about a flashy event, it is about inspiring everyone to rethink how they consume and dispose of clothing. The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters globally, responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and nearly 20% of wastewater production. Fast fashion, which relies on synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon, contributes to microplastic pollution.
Madison Szathmary, coordinator for Keep Orlando Beautiful, said many people do not realize their clothes are made out of plastic.
“Every time you’re washing something that’s made out of spandex, nylon, polyester — little plastic fiber from the clothing is getting into your washing machine and ending up in the water reclamation stream,” Szathmary explained. “We want people to be able to buy used when they can.”
You can also recycle what you already have at home, which is known as upcycling. Trash 2 Trends shows creativity can combat climate change by turning waste into wearable art. The creativity is on full display during Keep Orlando Beautiful’s annual fundraiser but the real goal is to encourage everyone to embrace sustainable fashion in their daily lives.
You don’t have to be a runway artist to make a difference. Szathmary encouraged everyone to embrace “slow fashion,” a more intentional approach to clothing, prioritizing quality over quantity.
“Having an intentional closet,” Szathmary added. “We call that slow fashion instead of fast fashion. And you can really, once you have a style and once you know what you like, there are opportunities to find that stuff not only at thrift stores but with your friends. You can swap clothing with your friends.”
Szathmary noted the effect of small changes can be huge. By reusing and repairing clothing, we can reduce the demand for new textiles, which often rely on fossil fuels and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The fashionable trends were on full display at last week’s Climate Correction Conference in Orlando.
