How a Maine congresswoman aims to promote eco-friendly fashion

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, known for her practical wardrobe, has launched a slow fashion caucus to tackle the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

AnnMarie Hilton reports for Maine Morning Star.

In short:

Pingree's slow fashion caucus seeks to reduce textile waste and promote sustainable materials like wool and hemp.
She plans to introduce legislation after the U.S. Government Accountability Office completes a study on textile waste management and recycling.
The caucus has urged President Biden to include the fashion industry in climate-related policies.

Key quote:

“Everybody got all engaged when we decided we should end plastic straws, but it’s nowhere near the volume of the clothing that we buy.”

— U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree

Why this matters:

Fast fashion contributes significantly to environmental degradation through textile waste and carbon emissions. Addressing this issue could lead to more sustainable consumer practices and production methods.

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