EDMONTON — There’s no need to fold under the pressure of this social challenge — all you need is to embrace the natural warmth of the sun.
Line Dry July is a fresh take on drying your clothing for those dependent on their dryer: it encourages Canadians to use a clothesline or drying rack to dry their laundry during the month of July. Doing so reduces household energy consumption, cuts down on microfibre release and prolongs the life of your outfits. The sustainability initiative and social media campaign is led by the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Alberta.
"Laundering impacts the local and global environment. It uses water and energy and also releases microplastics and chemicals into the environment,” explains Rachel McQueen, professor in Human Ecology. “Tumble drying our clothing is the most energy-intensive part of doing the laundry. It uses a lot more energy than the washing machine. In fact, among all of the appliances we have in the home, the tumble dryer contributes the most to greenhouse gas emissions."
Besides hanging your clothes to dry, there are other ways to extend the lifespan of your clothing and reduce the carbon footprint of the fashion industry. For example, McQueen also leads the Clothing Repair Café, which provides people with the tools and know-how to fix or alter old clothing to reduce the need to buy new.
For more information or to speak with Rachel McQueen, please contact: Sarah Vernon | University of Alberta communications associate | svernon@ualberta.ca