How to Use Clothing Rental Services to Reduce Waste

Learn how to use clothing rental services to reduce waste effectively. Discover rental models, sustainable practices, and tips to minimize environmental impact while refreshing your wardrobe.

Using clothing rental services is an innovative way to reduce fashion waste, lower your environmental footprint, and enjoy a constantly refreshed wardrobe without buying new garments. Here’s how to use these services effectively to maximize their sustainability benefits:

1. Understand the Environmental Impact of Renting Clothes

Research shows that renting a single garment can save up to 24% water, 6% energy, and 3% CO₂ emissions compared to buying new clothing. Renting extends the lifespan of garments by keeping them in circulation longer, reducing the demand for new production and the associated environmental costs.

However, the sustainability of rental fashion depends on how you use the service. Frequent shipping, dry cleaning, and packaging can add to the carbon footprint if not managed carefully. To truly benefit the planet, thoughtful use is key.

2. Choose the Right Rental Model

• Subscription Services: Platforms like Rent the Runway, Nuuly, and Armoire offer monthly memberships allowing you to borrow a set number of items. This model encourages rotating your wardrobe without purchasing, reducing impulse buying and fast fashion consumption.
• Individual Rentals: Some companies focus on renting specific categories like formalwear or sportswear, which you might only need occasionally, maximizing the use of resource-intensive items.
• Niche Markets: Renting within niche segments (e.g., maternity wear, designer pieces) can be more sustainable by targeting garments that are otherwise rarely worn.

3. Use Rentals Mindfully to Maximize Sustainability

• Rent for Special Occasions or Infrequent Use: Renting is ideal for garments you would wear only a few times, such as event dresses or unique pieces, avoiding one-time purchases that contribute to waste.
• Plan Your Rentals: Combine multiple rental items per order to reduce shipping frequency and packaging waste.
• Care for Garments: Follow care instructions and handle rented clothes gently to maintain their quality for future users.
• Return Promptly: Timely returns help rental companies manage inventory efficiently and reduce the need for excess stock.

4. Support Rental Companies with Sustainable Practices

• Choose companies that use eco-friendly cleaning methods instead of harsh dry cleaning chemicals, which can harm aquatic life and increase pollution.
• Look for brands that minimize packaging or use recyclable materials.
• Prefer services that offset carbon emissions from shipping or offer local pick-up/drop-off options to reduce transportation impact.

5. Complement Renting with Other Sustainable Fashion Habits

• Combine renting with buying second-hand or investing in high-quality, timeless pieces that last.
• Avoid overconsumption by treating rentals as a way to explore styles without accumulating excess clothing.
• Participate in clothing swaps or community rental initiatives to further extend garment life.

6. Recognize Limitations and Make Informed Choices

While renting can reduce waste and resource use, studies caution that if not used thoughtfully, the environmental benefits may be offset by transportation and cleaning emissions. The key is to use rental fashion as part of a broader sustainable wardrobe strategy rather than a standalone solution.

In summary, clothing rental services offer a promising way to reduce fashion’s environmental impact by extending garment life and curbing fast fashion consumption. To maximize benefits, choose the right rental model, plan your usage carefully, support eco-conscious companies, and integrate renting with other sustainable fashion practices.

Sources:
 Econyl – Behind the Curtain: Is Rental Fashion Truly Sustainable?
 The Good Trade – How Sustainable Are Clothing Rentals?
 Threading Change – Renting Fashion: Is It Really Sustainable?
 Project Cece – Is Renting Clothes Sustainable? Pros, Cons & Tips
 ScienceDaily – Renting clothes for sustainable fashion — niche markets work best
 Euronews Green – Clothing rental companies are a sustainable answer to fast fashion
 CreativeSunite – Does Clothing Rental Really Have A Positive Impact On The Environment?

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