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The UK buys more clothes per person than anywhere else in the world.
That's according to the European Clothing Action Plan. And the clothes and shoes we wear (and throw away) can cause a huge problem for the planet.
By re-thinking about how we buy, look after and get rid of our clothes, we can help reduce the environmental impact caused by the fashion industry.
Hear from Zaqiya Cajee, founder of SwopItUp, a non-profit organisation to help teens to run clothes swaps at schools, as well as Nayan and Alicia on how you can stay stylish and get the most out of your clothes - especially when on a budget!
Get some top tips from young people making a difference with what they choose to wear.
Zaqiya: I love fashion but did you know that the fast fashion industry accounts for 10% of global greenhouse emissions and 20% of wastewater? Therefore, I try to be as mindful as I possibly can be.
One of the ways that I do this is by buying clothes pre-loved because we're extending the lifetime of these clothes and we're preventing them from going to landfill. Another way that I like to make sure I've got a more sustainable wardrobe is through just wearing the clothes that are in there already.
I've had this T-shirt since I was 13, so I've had this in my wardrobe for the last five years and I wear it so much and that is a really good way of reducing your carbon footprint.
Nayan: I've got nine items of clothing here and the tenth on me, I'm going to see how many outfits I can make of all this.
Alicia: One of the things that I like to do is reuse, remake and recycle old fabrics, old garments, so I never have to throw away any of my clothes ever again. This is actually made up of three different types of jumpers.
This is a denim pocket from one random trouser. And this is a sleeve from one of my old turtlenecks. And this was the very first moment where I realised, oh my gosh, I don't have to throw away any of my clothes, I can just turn it into a whole new item and give it a whole new life.
OK, so this is done and you can do this with any design you just need thread, needle and patience.
Zaqiya: Okay so here I have got a bag full of the clothes that no longer fit me, so I'm going to be taking these to my friend's house and what we're going to be doing is we're going to swap the clothes.
It's a way of us giving a new lease of life to these clothes that are no longer worn by us.
Nayan: What I did I got many clothes as possible and then tried to make as many outfits out of that. Some of them I would have thought, wouldn't go together in some cases but I mean, I'd wear some of that now when I go out. I'm more annoyed that I didn't do that earlier on.
Zaqiya: Check everything that's in your wardrobe that's there already and basically try on everything because sometimes you have a sort of perception of what you look like in it, but you haven't worn in months and maybe it was the wrong season or something that you were wearing it in.
So by going through and wearing everything again, you're rediscovering everything that's already in your wardrobe and then when you're looking through your friends and your families wardrobe that's something at the back of your mind going, Oh yes, that would go really well with that outfit.
Alicia: I found a jumper and I kind of up-cycled it and turned it into a whole new cardigan. It's given me more confidence to redesign my clothes. It just kind of opens that kind of door of using the things that we have in our wardrobes or just going down to a local charity shop or second-hand store and finding something to create something new.
Buy second-hand
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. There are many reasons why people give their clothes to a charity shop or sell the ones they no longer want. It could be because they no longer fit, that they don’t suit the owner anymore… or maybe they’ve got too many clothes!
You can find amazing second-hand pieces at bargain prices in charity shops. They often sell clothes which are made of fibres like cotton or wool, which are better for the environment.
Rewear your clothes as much as possible
The most planet-friendly clothes are the ones you already have. You’d be really surprised at how easy it is to put new outfits together using the clothes you already own.
So, before tossing out any old clothes or leaving them to gather dust in the back of your closet, why not see how you can mix and match what you have?
Swap clothes with your friends
If you want to get rid of your clothes in a sustainable way, then swapping the garments you don’t want with your friends is a great idea.
Zaqiya says that swapping with your friends is a great way to experiment with your style and get amazing clothes that doesn’t cost the earth.
Learn how to revive items of clothing with simple repairs
Simply patching up your clothes using a needle and thread can go a long way in making your clothes last longer. It saves you from buying new, helps you get the most out of your clothes and reduces your impact on the environment. What’s not to love?
Rediscover your wardrobe
Here’s a fun challenge: try on all of the clothes you own – not all together, obviously!
If there are items you haven’t worn in months (or years) but still fit you and make feel good, place them at the top of your drawers or hang them somewhere visible so you wear them more.
Doing this may also teach you about the kinds of clothes you wear the most and help you decide how to expand your wardrobe wisely.
Make a difference
Discover more about the planet and how to protect it with the BBC.
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