How can we make smarter and eco-friendlier choices during the holidays?

The smart decisions we make during the holidays can have a beneficial impact on our environment

Around the end of the year, the holidays begin. Excess buying is normalised through events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Boxing day sales. This comes at a time when the fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world, reported by the UN environment programme.

During the holidays, we tend to forget how every decision we make as leaving behind the plastic from sweets or buying real Christmas trees have an impact in the environment.

The holidays are known to be the annual environmental disaster. Have we ever wondered how the holidays can become more sustainable? How can we learn to be more conscious about our wardrobe, decorations and gift wrapping?

To discuss this issue, we interviewed Tania Hergenhahn, a sustainability influencer from Estonia living in London.

Hergenhahn, who has more than 17k followers on Instagram, shared her story on how making small changes led her to be an Instagram creator and help others to make sustainable choices for the good of themselves and the planet.

Photo by Tania Hergenhahn.
Shot by Kirstin Sinclair in collaboration with Getty Images at London Fashion Week.

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

“My name is Tania Hergenhahn and you can find me on my Instagram which is @taniahergenhahn. I've been living in London for 15 years – so now I'm a Londoner. I used to be a fashion stylist and that's how I actually started posting my fashion stuff on Instagram and then slowly went into being a content creator...Obviously, I'm focus on a sustainable way of living from fashion to lifestyle.”

Nowadays in a world were excess buying is normalised and waiting for sales around the holidays to buy more items for a lower price is tradition, what makes you think differently and choose differently?

Post shared via Tania Hergenhahn Instagram about her collaboration with my wardrobe HQ and Blue Marine Foundation to encourage people to shop consciously

“Well, it's not like overnight I start to think about it. A few years ago, I started watching some documentaries about climate change and what is happening in the world. The first I did was becoming plant-based, then I start thinking, what else can I do? By then I was working in the fashion industry and prior to that I never thought about how the fashion industry can affect the environment and the issues that come with it. I used to shop high street, I used to shop by trends, I used to not think about the fabrics, and then I started researching and reading about high street brands and their productions, fair pays and watching documentaries. That’s when I said, “Oh my God, this is crazy” and from then I started to make conscious buying and I think that is a way to start."

Sustainability is a big word in the fashion industry, what do you think about fashion brands trying to make their clothes eco-friendlier?

“Four years ago, we didn't hear much about sustainability. I remember during press days there was rarely a sustainable brand compare to now when there are many. They're very transparent and they're explaining what they're doing because sustainability is quite a big word. You don't really understand what sustainability is at first: is it a fabric? Or is it a fair pay to the people who create clothes? Sustainability can be many things. But at the same time, lots of big brands – like high street brands - are creating sustainable collections, and multiple non-sustainable collections, and that is called greenwashing. They try to show they’re doing something, so consumers have to think about what they are buying.”

What do you think about other influencers addressing these issues?

“Lots of influencers are doing great things, they talk and explain sustainability, but at the same time I see many influencers who promote buying a whole Zara haul every week...Something not many people know is when you buy from high streets stores, most of the clothes you return are going into landfill. So, you really need to think about what you need and when possible try them on at the store. I know it's a bit harder now but be conscious.”

What advice do you have for someone who wants to make more sustainable and conscious choices when it comes to the holidays?

“First of all, look at more sustainable choices in packaging. Think about the paper you choose and the seller type as plastic doesn't go away...Nowadays there are many options as biodegradable. Some other ways are to think about your Christmas tree decorations. Some people have this mindset to buy Christmas decorations every year and throw them away after the festivities and buy some the next year…The thought of it it's crazy, imagine how many people do that around the world. When it comes to gifts, think about what people really need. Imagine choosing gifts for your friends, you know what they like, and it could be beauty or makeup. So, when buying chose a more sustainable brand and you’d be introducing them to a more sustainable option. There are lots of brands now that talk about their packaging as recycled packaging. If you don't want to get a physical gift, there's so many options as online courses, subscriptions, bag renting, clothes renting and many other things.”

“Think about the person, think about what they like and think outside of the box, don’t just go and buy another top or another pair of boots, you know what they need”

During the festivities, we can always help small sustainable and innovating brands to grow and help consumers make smarter decisions.

Here are some of the brands you can shop from this holiday season.

• Girlfriend Collective , sportswear brand made from recycled plastic.

• Ilk & Ernie, ethical and innovating womenswear brand based in Brighton.

• The Level Collective, small brand who produces backpacks and accessories in Sheffield.

• Arthur and Henry, smart organic menswear, produces in India with purpose to overcome poverty through trade.