Sarene Alshareef - MOST LIKELY TO SAVE THE PLANET

According to Sarene Alshareef, the average American throws away 81 pounds of textiles every year, which end up in landfills. As CEO and cofounder of Tad More Tailoring and Alterations, she encourages her clients to reuse, recycle and revive their clothes with alterations.

“Through my research, I discovered the ‘fast fashion’ industry is the second largest contributor to air pollution, water pollution and deforestation,” she said. “Discovering that the manufacture of our clothing causes 10% of all carbon emissions in the atmosphere, I knew I had to do something.”

In 2017, Alshareef put her passion into action and opened Tad More Tailoring in Rockford. Since then, the business has expanded to include online tailoring services available across the U.S.

“We’re revolutionizing tailoring as people know it,” she said. “With our online tailoring option, people can use our website to choose needed alterations, send in garments and have them returned ready to wear.”

Alshareef and her staff encourage patrons to shop second-hand stores for “new” clothes and alter garments to extend their use. She’s not opposed to buying brand-new clothing but believes most people are underutilizing their wardrobes.

“Use the clothes you have as much as possible,” she said. “Altering what you already own and shopping at thrift stores saves time, money and the earth. If you’re purchasing new clothes, make sure they are good quality and are constructed to last.”

Since 2020, Tad More’s alterations have kept nearly 50,000 items of clothing out of landfills, making a positive impact on Rockford and the planet.