More consumers are opting for clothing rental services for events and vacations instead of purchasing new outfits. These subscription-based platforms offer everything from casual wear to formal attire, shipped directly to the user. Items are returned for another person to use, presenting a sustainable alternative to fast fashion.
The Environmental Argument
Rental services suggest a more sustainable approach: a single garment can serve several people, reducing the high environmental cost tied to fast fashion. However, experts in fashion and logistics warn that the environmental impact of such services varies based on usage patterns.
I haven’t bought anything for a big occasion since 2019,said Sasha Eck, who uses clothing rental services. Renting formal attire provides her access to trendy clothes without the high costs.
A survey from ThredUp highlights that 87% of wedding guests have purchased clothing they wore only once, pushing more people towards rentals.
Challenges of Rental Services
Although rental services advocate sustainability, their actual environmental footprint is complicated. Repeated shipping, returns, and cleaning can offset benefits. Expert Kate Fletcher from Manchester Metropolitan University states that these practices sometimes replicate the quick turnover typical of fast fashion.
Aja Barber, a sustainability consultant, emphasizes that many overlook the carbon burden of shipping and dry cleaning. These processes contribute significantly to environmental costs.
Advantages and Best Practices
Despite the downsides, rentals prove advantageous for occasional wear. Barber recommends them for those who occasionally require special attire without wanting to own such items.
Older rental models where customers visited shops offer different environmental profiles compared to modern app-based services. These required fewer shipping journeys, reducing the impact.
The Role of Shipping
Online shopping has increased the environmental toll of last-mile delivery, a significant source of emissions. According to Johanna Amaya from Pennsylvania State University, the impact grows with more deliveries to homes. Rental services demand two trips—one to deliver and another to return—compounding this issue.
Fast deliveries decrease efficiency as logistics can’t consolidate orders. Amaya suggests that using centralized return points is less damaging than individual home pickups.
Consumer Considerations
Renting can still be a viable option, especially for once-only event wear. Experts advise considering order frequency, shipping, and returns. Fletcher suggests exploring existing wardrobe options before acquiring new attire.
Amaya recommends opting for consolidated or pickup deliveries over rush shipping. To shop sustainably, consumers should consider re-wearing, repairing, swapping, buying secondhand, or donating clothing.
The best thing we can do is engage with fashion as a practice,asserts Fletcher. Shifting focus from merely purchasing clothes can significantly reduce climate impacts.