Artograffi #159
Sustainable fashion: Why you don’t have to be perfect to make a positive impact
Companies like Shein and Temu produce many items with cheap labour, including using child workers. Their products may be cheap but they’re not always sustainable or ethical. One BBC article* from 2025 showed people working in Shein’s factories up to 12 hours a day. They told the BBC they get paid less than $1 per t-shirt.
📷 photo pixabay
Many people buy from these companies without thinking about how the products are so cheap, but if you want to think about the planet or not exploiting people, I would also suggest checking out charity shops and Vinted, or look at https://goodonyou.eco/ You can also reuse old fabric from tops that don’t fit.
I talked to a fashion sustainability professional about what she thinks is important and what we can do to make a difference. She grew up in Alnwick and knows Amble very well. Now she works with journalists to make sustainability issues more accessible and engaging for a wide range of audiences.
Hello, thank you for talking to Artograffi. Can I start by asking what is, in your view, the biggest problem in the fashion industry?
For me, the biggest challenge is the fact that the fashion industry is producing far more clothing than our planet can sustain, and many of the systems around us encourage us to consume at an ever-increasing pace.We live in a world where social media, targeted advertising, and rapidly changing trend cycles are designed to encourage constant consumption. Many of us are in an almost continuous state of “ambient shopping”, where buying feels almost effortless.
If we want a better future, we need to slow down and think more carefully about what we buy and why we’re buying it.
What is the most positive change you’ve seen in recent times?
Although there is still a long way to go, I’ve seen some really encouraging progress. More governments are introducing new laws to make fashion companies take greater responsibility for their impact on people and the environment. That’s important because it means sustainability is becoming something businesses have to do, rather than something that’s just optional.I’ve also seen more brands, designers, and young people asking better questions, moving in the right direction, and genuinely wanting to create positive change. This has also generated lots of exciting new innovations in the industry – think mushroom-based leather alternatives or biodegradable sequins.
I’m a 13-year-old living in Amble – how can I help by being more sustainable?
It’s easy to feel like one person can’t make much of a difference, but you don’t have to be perfect to have a positive impact. There are, however, still choices that can make a difference and send a signal about the kind of fashion industry we want to see.The most sustainable clothes are often the ones you already own, so wearing them for longer, repairing them when you can, and resisting impulse purchases are all great places to start.
Shopping second-hand is another great option. Charity shops, vintage stores, and resale platforms give clothes a longer life while making fashion more affordable and individual. When you do buy something new, think of it as something you’ll enjoy for as long as possible rather than just for one trend. Looking after your clothes by washing them less often, following the care instructions, and repairing them when needed helps them last much longer.
Every choice on its own may seem small, but together these decisions help show brands and decision makers that people value a fashion industry that’s better for both people and the planet.
By Eden
* https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdrylgvr77jo
Late for school
📷 Amble’s new school building
Our new school opening has been delayed for three weeks because of ‘minor delays due to utility connections to the new building’.
The new build was supposed to open on 3 September, the first day of Autumn term, but it has been delayed until 23 September. On 21 and 22 September school will be closed to pupils to move the stuff over.
I was looking forward to the new school but now its been delayed its going to be a bit chaotic for the first few days. I feel sorry for the teachers who had to pack everything then unpack it all and then pack it up again.
By Lexi
What do you think about the social media ban?
As we have heard, next year there will be a social media ban for children under 16.
WHAT’S BEING BANNED
Tik Tok, Instagram , Snapchat, X, YouTube,
plus certain features eg live streaming and online chat will be banned or restricted on Minecraft, Discord and Roblox
GOOD REASONS FOR A BAN
Social media and many more apps are getting banned for under 16s as there is concern about the number of suicides and the amount of cyberbullying linked to social media use.
According to the World Health Organization and Ofcom, roughly 17% to 20% of adolescents and school-aged children in the UK report being targeted by online bullies.
The bullying primarily takes place via text/messaging apps (56%), social media (43%), and online games (30%).
But Not all Social media use is Bad
Some people use social media for good things like talking to friends or family, some people use it for learning, to watch things they like, and there are many more reasons people use social media.
WHAT’S NOT BEING BANNED
WhatsApp, YouTube Kids, Pinterest
WHAT DO WE THINK ABOUT THE SOCIAL MEDIA BAN?
Ok let’s be honest. How many hours a day are we online? Some of us admitted to being online for up to 8 hours per day. Some said for them it was more like 2 -3 hours per day.
LEXI – I don’t think banning social media is the best idea as I communicate with my friends on it, so I think it is a terrible idea
ESME – I just don’t like the idea of banning social media.
DONNY – I think it is a very bad idea as I use social media as I use it for messaging my friends and parents and sporty stuff .
EDEN – I think it is a bad idea to delete social media for under 16s as I use it for lots of things like texting and watching things like Ariana Grande
SKYLAR –I think that it is a bad idea as I need social media for stuff like Tik-Tok and YouTube for watching skz [straykids] and k pop bands.
RHIA – I think that is a bad idea as I use social media to socialize with friends who live far away and I use it to help me with my unfinished school work and homework, I also use social media for entertainment like Youtube, Apple music, Tik-Tok and other online apps.
What do you think? Tell us if you think the ban is a good idea or not. Email Anna: editor@theambler.co.uk
IF YOU ARE BULLIED OR NEED TO TALK– CONTACT SAMARITANS: 116 123 OR CHILDLINE: 0800 1111
Good Young Citizen
Congratulations to Barney from Year 6 at Amble Links, who has won Amble’s Good Young Citizen Award 2026.
Barney (pictured) was nominated by his school for how much he helps and supports others, his fantastic swimming efforts, love of karaoke and his genuine kindness towards others!
He was awarded a £100 voucher, donated by Tulip Design, a goodie bag from Amble Town Council and a voucher from Warkworth Parish Council.
The awards this year were part of Amble Town Council’s civic awards.
Cannibal Cows at my Cadets!
You may think I’m crazy but I’m not. But more of that later. I have been doing army cadets for two months and I’m enjoying it. On Mondays at Army Cadets, you do lessons on military knowledge, drills and shooting. On Thursday I have to catch a bus from Amble to get to Druridge bay. There I can do navigation, fieldcraft and PE. We can go to some camps where you do assessments, promotions and go out for activities like paintballing, laser tag and more! I joined cadets after a school assembly which influenced me into joining.
I go to cadets in Amble but Stephen, goes to the Broomhill Army Cadets. Depending on the day, you do different things like map reading and first aid. Stephen joined because of friend recommendations. If you are wondering whether to join up then he says you should as you learn useful skills like saving someone’s life.
Donny does Sea Cadets in Ashington on Tuesdays and Fridays. He has been doing this since September and finds it amazing. He joined Sea Cadets because you can advance into the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, Royal Marines and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Donny has made loads of friends at cadets. They can learn how to control boats, swimming in harsh conditions and being able to have the skill to speak to large crowds including ranking ceremonies and camps. His advice is to just do it and have a fun time because you will make friends and skills for life.
Now for the cannibal cow story. I was at cadet camp and the cows ate a beef burger someone left in the field. And then the person was very upset. The cows started to chase us so we had to run into the forest bit of the field and shut the gate so they couldn’t follow us anymore. And then my friend and someone else left their bags in the field and the cows mistook it for grass and began to eat the straps!
Personally, I recommend cadets to anyone who is looking for a career in the Army but even if you don’t, you can still join, because it teaches you to try new things even if you get scared because you don’t have to be scared for long. I want to be an engineer in the Army and joining cadets gives me a hobby and boosts my chance to getting into AFC Harrogate! (Army college). So, if you are interested in joining Army Cadets, its for year 7s and over!
By Lexi
