The clothing industry is one of the most polluting in the world and changes are needed to make a difference for a more sustainable industry.
According to the numbers from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it takes 3,781 liters of water to make a pair of jeans, from the production of the cotton to the delivery of the final product to the store. That equates to the emission of around 33.4 kilograms of carbon equivalent.
Statistics from UNEP and Ellen MacArthur Foundation also shows us a huge environmental impact of clothing industry in a perspective of a waste. Around 20 % of wastewater worldwide comes from fabric dyeing and treatment and of the total fiber input used for clothing, 87 % is incinerated or disposed of in a landfill. It is also worth to notice from clothing industry’s side that every year a half a million tons of plastic microfibers are dumped into the ocean, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles. Those microfibers cannot be extracted from the water and they can spread throughout the food chain.
Technology and research are playing a key role in making the industry more sustainable. Some companies have a return policy so they can recycle the consumers’ clothing after it is worn out. Chemicals are being replaced with more environmentally friendly options and apparel is being made out of materials that are extracted from the plastic that is dumped into the ocean.
As a consumer, you can also do your own part for sustainability. For example, you should only buy what you need. When buying, it is recommendable to consider quality over quantity. It is also considerable to buy second-hand clothing. On the other end of the cycle, you can always repair clothing and donate or sell what you no longer use. All steps are making a difference for reducing waste.
To make the clothing industry more sustainable, all sectors must get involved, from designers to manufacturers, critics, and consumers.
Here are some links to read more about the topic:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2019/09/23/costo-moda-medio-ambiente
https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/fashion/overview
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/cleaning-couture-whats-your-jeans
