I have always seen the advertising of “renting” clothing as a environmental step forward, but after reviewing the popular company “Rent the Runway” I was shocked to find out the environmental damage this method secretly has despite their portrayed marketing. A 2021 released study evaluating the environmental impacts of the 5 different ways of owning and disposing of clothing, like renting, resale, and recycling, found renting to have the highest climate impact. The hidden costs come from the immense waste generated from excessive plastic packaging, a long and constant need for transportation, and the dry cleaning involved. Articles since this report came out have criticized renting companies of essentially “greenwashing,” using a front of sustainability to mask a practice that only further damages the planet. However, despite this, I believe companies like Rent the Runway have room for reform, and rather than issue a Climate Warning, I’d rather give a Climate Idea, encouraging them to make changes such as switching to sustainable packaging (over plastic), or perhaps using electric cars to transport their clothes. Wet-cleaning (https://laundrylux.com/blog/wet-cleaning-eco-friendly-alternative-for-dry-clean/) has also been found to be an eco-friendly, comparable option to dry cleaning that Rent The Runway can look into. With these changes enacted, Rent the Runway and other popular rental clothing companies can embody the eco-friendly message they hopefully want to portray, emerging from the criticism they’ve been facing. https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2021/07/renting-runway-clothes-environmental-problems-fast-fashion-study-climate-change/