Do your part this Earth Day: Cut back on textile waste

 

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Experts say Americans alone throw away 11 million tons of textiles every year. Brands are producing more clothes than ever before, and it’s having an impact on the environment.

A local fashionista, Jamie Phoenix, wants to be a part of the change. That’s why she shops and sells used and vintage clothes.

“We are vintage store, so we’ve got clothing that is ultra-vintage, 20 years or older, up to modern resale,” said Phoenix.

Ultratwist Vintage in West Allis has been open for less than a year, but Phoenix has something for sale from every decade.

“Fashion is one of the top polluting industries,” she said.

She says there are a few simple steps people can take to change reduce their footprint on landfills. Learning how to mix in colors and wear your clothes more than a handful or times is one way. Shopping previously worn clothes is another.

“I do work with some modern new brands that have vintage styles that carry up through 5X,” she said. “I focus mostly on women-owned brands, and many of those are made in the United States as well.”

Ultratwist Vintage is on National Ave in West Allis, just off of 78th St. The store is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.