The Expiration Game

It’s all about sustainable style for Samirah Aziz. This up-and-coming fashion student has found a way to combine her two loves. Aziz says she’s not about to buy into fast fashion trends. This 20-year-old wants other fashion-conscious consumers to do the same.

The fashion industry and the excessive consumption of clothing have negatively impacted the planet. According to recent studies, the fashion industry uses 3,000 litres of water for every cotton T-shirt.

Aziz is shocked to learn that according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 85% of discarded clothing ends up in landfills.

What can a young fashion enthusiast do to make a difference? Environmental activism, clothes swapping, and buying second-hand clothes are just a start!

People don’t always know what is meant by “fast fashion”. Kareen Ng, a fashion design major at Toronto Metropolitan University knows all too well the unfortunate realities and impact on the environment.

This young fashion environmentalist says we must make greener choices in order to save our planet.

According to recent statistics, each year, it is estimated that 80 billion pieces of clothing are purchased worldwide, many of which end up in landfills.

The Centre for Social Innovation Director, Stefen Hostetter shares ways in which he helps small Toronto area businesses such as the Good Swap, post-pandemic.

If you’re an entrepreneur and interested in green solutions, you won’t want to miss this podcast. Stefen Hostetter is our guest. He’s the Community Director for the Centre of Social Innovation.

It’s a place where environmentally conscious people go to figure out ways to make the world a healthier place to live. The ultimate goal is to guide entrepreneurs toward investing in a circular economy.

Hosteller says our world has been altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also says it’s an opportunity to reinvent ourselves through greener choices.

Imagine finding a bag of potato chips in one of your cabinets in the kitchen. The bag was never opened but expired a week ago. Would you still eat it?

Some people would answer yes to that question.

Now, imagine going to the supermarket to buy a bag of chips but the only ones they have… expired one day before. Chances are, many people would not buy that bag.

Environmentalists say we need to rethink – food waste. Experts stress, in many cases, it is okay to eat expired food. So, why are retailers and consumers trashing it?

A recent study by Happy Hours Market in Belgium, says food waste averages 10,400 tons per day in the country. It seems the motto of this commercial company is to reduce food waste while giving folks a chance to buy cheaper food.

Win–Win! Right? This concept got students thinking at Artevelde University in Belgium. The idea of an eco-friendly vending machine was born.

These vending machines offer expired cookies, chips, dried fruit and chocolate. The flavours are also compelling. They’re ones not easily found in supermarkets.

It’s a way for students to get a variety of snacks quickly and inexpensively while cutting down on food waste. The question is… are consumers helping the environment in the process?

In many ways, yes, but it is worth noting that packaging waste and greenhouse gas emissions from running the machine hurt the environment.

Solution? Environmentally friendly vending machines which sell safe, expired food wrapped in environmentally friendly packaging at a reduced cost! Inventors take note.