Reducing fashion's carbon footprint: How conscious shopping can help the environment

WASHINGTON (KOMO) — As the seasons change and people swap summer-wear for boots and coats, it bears remembering that fashion has the third largest carbon footprint.

The only things higher on the list are food and construction.

Clothing and accessories make up 10% of annual carbon emissions worldwide, according to the United Nations Environment Program.

There are ways to shop with Mother Nature in mind though.

The first thing that people can do is to just start asking more questions. You know, there are a lot of companies out there that are trying to lessen their environmental impact, improve their social impact. And once you start to look, you'll find more companies like that," said Elizabeth Cline, a Professor of Sustainability & Consumerism at Columbia University.

Environmentally friendly companies can actually back up their claims explaining what they are doing to make their product green.

Sustainable brands may cost more, but there are affordable solutions too. Your best bet is to buy secondhand. That reduces an item's carbon impact immediately.

"Don't use your ability to donate clothes as an excuse to just buy a bunch of stuff that you're going to throw out at the end of the season because there's no guarantee that that garment is going to be reused," said Cline.

Renting clothes might be a good option for special events. That prevents more clothes from ending up in the landfill.