Shailene Woodley on Why Hollywood Is “Pretty Circular” When It Comes to Fashion Sustainability

Shailene Woodley on Why Hollywood Is “Pretty Circular” When It Comes to Fashion Sustainability

As I reflect upon Shailene Woodley‘s words, it’s impossible not to be moved by her commitment to environmental activism and her unwavering dedication to making a difference. Her life, much like a film set, is a constant journey, filled with travels, encounters, and transformative experiences.


Shailene Woodley explained that the fashion industry within Hollywood tends to be quite repetitive when focusing on sustainability, and she’s embracing a new daily regimen to live a more environmentally friendly life.

32-year-old celebrity shared with The Hollywood Reporter during Uber’s Go-Get Zero event in London on October 8th, “I stayed put in one location for six months this year – something I haven’t done since I was 17. This was a significant change for me and it brought about new habits. For instance, establishing a daily routine proved to be quite sustainable. I found that when I stay in one place for an extended period, I tend to eat the same meals every day and plan my meals more efficiently. Cooking most of my own food is also something I’ve taken up. Additionally, it has allowed me to contribute to the local economy by frequenting farmer’s markets and finding eco-friendly dry cleaners who use minimal plastic and avoid wire hangers. These are ways in which this year differed from previous ones.

During the meeting at the rideshare app’s conference, Woodley engaged in conversation with Uber representative Jill Hazelbaker about her environmental activism (“I’m not without flaws”), the transformation in Hollywood’s perspective on eco-friendliness (“For a long time in Hollywood, I was labeled a tree-hugging hippie; there are certainly worse nicknames to have”) and her personal shopping choices.

Woodley mentioned that the majority of her clothes, except for the socks she’s wearing, are pre-owned. She was spotted at the event wearing an animal-print blouse with black trousers and boots. She appreciates companies like The RealReal because they offer high-quality secondhand items and also let you resell them. Woodley finds this system enjoyable to interact with. Many people may not realize that in Hollywood, what we wear on the red carpet is usually returned at the end of the day. It’s all about appearance for the event, not for keeping. Sometimes, she’d wonder whose deodorant it was because it wasn’t hers. In essence, Woodley thinks Hollywood, in terms of fashion, operates in a circular way.

She went on to say, “Fashion in general is a significant concern, especially regarding the environment and labor workers’ welfare. The issues are intricate and multifaceted. To stay informed and make a difference in my daily life, I choose to invest more in secondhand items. As consumers shape the market, secondhand options are increasingly accessible and diverse nowadays. Whether you prefer high-end luxury goods or affordable thrift store finds, there’s an abundance of choices available.

Actress from the movie “Three Women” praised Uber for its recent collaboration with The Earthshot Prize founded by Prince William. This partnership aims to finance innovative climate solutions, like Enso Tyre, a tire line designed to minimize pollution and boost electric vehicle range, as well as Notpla, a company that produces seaweed-based, compostable packaging which can be found at reduced prices on UberEats for participating restaurants. This step is part of Uber’s Paris Innovation Pilot, providing $1 million to encourage businesses in Paris to adopt eco-friendly packaging options such as Releaf bags and iamplasticfree drinking straws.

To begin with, I want to clarify that I’m far from flawless. The conversation about UberEats’ sustainability initiatives and packaging particularly struck a chord with me, given its significance. Since my life often revolves around movie sets where cooking isn’t always an option, I find myself relying on UberEats for meals during work.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about Meryl Streep recently collaborating again with David E. Kelley, the genius behind Big Little Lies, on his documentary series Hope in the Water. This captivating series, which premiered earlier this year on PBS, reminded me of my past adventures with Greenpeace and the heart-wrenching sight of microplastics polluting our oceans. I distinctly remember that experience when I first thought, “Perhaps there’s no hope left,” upon witnessing the alarming amount of microplastics myself. Taking part in this PBS project has certainly helped reignite my optimism about the future.

She remarked, “It was incredibly motivating for me. It explains how it strengthens and invigorates local economies by bridging certain individuals with their communities, larger cities, governments, and even the ocean itself in terms of food and our relationship with it. Not only does this practice support economic stability, but also the environmental health of a community.

Regarding her 2016 arrest alongside 26 others during the Dakota Access pipeline protests, Woodley was asked if she would repeat the action. Her response was affirmative: “Absolutely.” She reminisced about trying to gain media attention for the cause by mentioning influential networks like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, but lamented that they failed to respond: “I was constantly on the phone with them, urging them to come and cover this, to interview these children and listen to their words. However, no one came.” (The 1,172-mile underground oil pipeline, operated by Energy Transfer Partners, runs through North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois, and was completed in May 2017.)

I found Uber’s presentation profoundly impactful, as for years I’ve been yearning for practical solutions and empathy from the wider public. It seems like our calls haven’t reached the forefront of mainstream consciousness or awareness until now. The turning point was significant; a movement born from a small group of 25, primarily young individuals, grew into a global coalition of tens of thousands, who joined an Indigenous community in North America to support their cause. While the focus was on the pipeline, it’s crucial to acknowledge that addressing climate change requires recognizing and addressing all the interconnected issues involved. Unfortunately, many affected communities are not often heard in mainstream media, but this event highlighted that a multitude of voices contribute to this conversation, not just those of us here today.

Additionally, Woodley expressed that she’s no longer aggravated by the slow progress towards sustainability within the industry and broader society.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve always known that people don’t enjoy being told what to do, but they love being motivated. For quite some time, I was often labeled as a ‘crunchy granola’ in the Hollywood scene. But hey, there are far worse things to be tagged with!

In the upcoming period, Woodley is set to both star in and produce a biographical film about Janis Joplin. Away from the camera, she’ll mark her Broadway debut in Leslye Headland’s “Cult of Love” play titled “The Acolyte“, sharing the stage with Zachary Quinto and Barbie Ferreira.

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2024-10-23 00:55