Summer of Sustainability
Summer of Sustainability
If you haven’t heard, Reeves-Reed Arboretum has teamed up with Ciel Power LLC and Green Summit NJ for a 3-part series on Sustainability called LOCAL ACTION / GLOBAL IMPACT in an effort to engage, enrich and educate our visitors, guests, members and local community about the effects of climate change and living a sustainable lifestyle.
Part-1 was our Sustainability Conference in May that featured a panel of guests including Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (former head of the EPA), J. Douglas Reid-Green (BASF), Jennifer Coffey (NJ Environmental Commission), Randal Solomon (Sustainable New Jersey), and David Naidu (Common Council of Summit and K&L Gates), who discussed the effects of climate change on New Jersey’s water supply.
(If you missed this community discussion, you may view it here: http://bit.ly/2IyCQf9)
Part-2 was STYLE & SUSTAINABILITY: A Fashion Show in the Garden on the evening of June 14, 2018 that highlighted sustainable clothing designs by emerging fashion design students from Montclair State University, as well as local sustainable fashion designers & companies, as well as consignment shops in Summit and Short Hills. The goal of this event was to raise awareness about the effects of the fashion industry on our environment and shine a light on the companies and individuals that offer sustainable and fashionable options to our community.
DID YOU KNOW...
83% of the world’s drinking water is contaminated by thousands of plastic particles emitted by each wash of synthetic textiles hanging in our closets?
It can take up to 2,700 liters of water to produce a single cotton t-shirt (organic or non-organic)?
Clothing factories produce disturbing volumes of wastewater contaminated with toxins like acids, alkalis and fluorocarbons which can leach into waterways, contaminating drinking water and polluting rivers, streams, lakes and oceans that sustain human life?
An the end of their life cycle, most clothes get incinerated or go to a landfill and that three-fifths of all clothing produced ends up in a landfill?
The good news is that the industry is changing and designers, manufacturers and consumers are beginning to acknowledge their social and environmental impact and are taking steps toward a sustainable future.
WHAT YOU CAN DO…
- Buy fewer clothes.
- Shop consignment stores before purchasing any ‘new’ clothing.
- Recycle, upcycle or do a clothing swap with friends.
- Find take-back programs offered by retailers.
- Buy clothing made from sustainable materials.
- Wash your clothes less often.
(Source: The Regeneration Magazine, Condensed Eco-Fashion Edition, Issue 03.01)
STAY TUNED THIS SUMMER…
Each week during the summer our blog will feature a different sustainability topic and how you can apply the tips and information to your life.
And stay tuned to find out about our third sustainability event coming this fall!
THANK YOU…
to the following brands, companies, stores, designers, stylists and community supporters who partnered with us for STYLE & SUSTAINABILITY: A Fashion Show in the Garden:
Lauren Engelke, NYC-Based Fashion Stylist Website: https://www.laurenengelke.com/
Leslie Patrizio, Fashion Event Production & Styling
Montclair University Fashion Design Students
The Collective, Designer Consignment, Summit, NJ
Kromagnon, Sustainable, Eco-Friendly High Street Label
Ecotistic, Online Shop & Pop-Up offering Sustainable & Ethical Fashion Alternatives
Double-Take, Consignment Boutique, Short Hills, NJ
Melissa Spurr, Prominent Properties/Sotheby’s International Realty, Summit, NJ
Point View Wealth Management, Summit, NJ
Young Degree & All Jersey Radio
Natalie Schindler, NGSPhotography
The Regeneration Co., Richmond, Virginia
Greg Barber, eco-friendly printer
