Fashion's Dark Side: Pollution And The Industry

The fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment, and its environmental footprint is a growing concern. It is the second-largest consumer of water and the second-largest polluter of water, with the dyeing process alone using enough water to fill 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools each year. The industry is responsible for a large proportion of global waste, with clothing waste ending up in landfills, and the burning of unsold fashion items releasing CO₂ into the atmosphere. The production and distribution of fashion items contribute to water, air, and soil degradation, with toxic wastewater from textile factories dumped directly into rivers and the use of pesticides and fertilizers polluting water sources. The fashion industry also emits substantial carbon emissions, with synthetic materials requiring significant amounts of oil and the laundering of synthetic textiles contributing to microplastic pollution in the ocean. While there are efforts to promote sustainable fashion practices, the industry's environmental impact is a pressing issue that needs attention.

The fashion industry is a major water polluter

The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water and the second-largest polluter of freshwater sources worldwide. The production of textiles and garments requires a significant amount of water, with the industry consuming 79 billion cubic meters of water in 2015, which is more than electricity production. The dyeing process alone uses enough water to fill 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools each year. The use of dyes and chemicals in the production process also leads to water pollution, as these toxic substances are often dumped directly into rivers and other water sources, contaminating the water and causing harm to aquatic life and human health.

Untreated toxic wastewaters from textile factories contain harmful substances such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, which are released into rivers and spread globally, affecting the health of both aquatic life and the millions of people living near these water sources. The use of fertilizers for cotton production further contributes to water contamination, as it pollutes runoff and evaporation waters. The fashion industry's water pollution is not limited to freshwater sources; it is also a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the ocean. Synthetic fibres, such as polyester, are commonly used in clothing and account for an estimated 60% of garments. These synthetic fibres release two to three times more carbon emissions than cotton and do not break down in the ocean, contributing to the growing problem of microplastics. Microplastics from the laundering of synthetic textiles make up an estimated 35% of all microplastics in the ocean, and these microfibers have been found in the digestive tracts of fish and shellfish, which are then consumed by humans, leading to the absorption of micropollutants.

The fashion industry's water pollution extends beyond the direct release of toxic chemicals and synthetic fibres into water sources. The overproduction of fashion items and the resulting waste also contribute to water pollution. In 2013, 15.1 million tons of textile clothing waste was generated, and a significant portion of this waste ends up in landfills, where the chemicals and dyes from the clothing can leech into the ground, causing further environmental damage. The incineration of unsold clothing also contributes to water pollution, as it releases CO₂ into the atmosphere, which can lead to acid rain and further contamination of water sources.

While the fashion industry's water pollution is a significant issue, it is important to note that there are efforts being made to address this problem. Initiatives such as the Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, led by the UN, aim to coordinate efforts to make the industry less harmful. Additionally, the slow fashion movement encourages the use of eco-friendly materials and the reduction of waste to promote more sustainable practices in the industry.

Fashion contributes to air pollution

The fashion industry significantly contributes to air pollution. It is the second-largest polluter of water and is responsible for 20% of industrial water pollution worldwide. However, its water usage and toxic wastewater are not the only ways it contributes to air pollution. The fashion industry emitted 2-4% of the world's total greenhouse gases in the late 2010s, and it is responsible for 2-8% of global carbon emissions. If the industry continues on its current trajectory, its share of carbon emissions could increase to 26% by 2050.

The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined. This is largely due to the energy-intensive production and transportation of fashion items, as well as the use of synthetic fibres. Synthetic materials in clothing require an estimated 342 million barrels of oil per year, and polyester, a popular synthetic fibre, releases two to three times more carbon emissions than cotton. In 2017, polyester was found in about 60% of garments in retail stores, and it was estimated that 35% of all microplastics in the ocean came from laundering synthetic textiles.

The fashion industry also contributes to air pollution through the use of pesticides and chemicals in textile manufacturing. These chemicals can leach into the air and the ground, affecting both groundwater and surface water. The production of fibres and textiles uses multiple pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals that can reduce fertility and biodiversity and cause harm to the natural environment and human health.

The fashion industry's linear business model is also fueling overproduction and overconsumption, contributing to the global waste pollution crisis. Less than 1% of clothing is recycled to make new clothes, resulting in over $100 billion in material value loss. The majority of fashion's environmental impact comes from its raw materials, and the proliferation of microfibers across global water sources is a significant concern.

Clothing waste is a huge problem

Clothing waste is a significant problem, with the fashion industry being the second-largest polluter of water worldwide. The dyeing process for textiles uses enough water to fill 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools each year, and the fashion industry is responsible for 20% of all industrial water pollution.

The production of clothing also requires large amounts of water, with 2,700 litres needed to make a single t-shirt or cotton shirt. This is enough drinking water for one person for 900 days. The fashion industry is also a major contributor to water contamination, with toxic wastewater from textile factories dumped directly into rivers and the sea. These waters contain harmful substances such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, which threaten aquatic life and the health of people living nearby.

The fashion industry is also a significant source of carbon emissions, contributing more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. The use of polyester, a plastic found in 60% of garments, is a major factor, as it releases two to three times more carbon emissions during production than cotton. Polyester also does not break down in the ocean, contributing to microplastic pollution.

The impact of clothing waste extends beyond environmental concerns. It also has economic implications, with the cost of disposing of textiles reaching hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Additionally, the fast fashion industry has been criticised for its role in labour rights issues, with production sites moving to locations with cheaper labour costs, often where workers' rights are limited or non-existent.

The problem of clothing waste is exacerbated by the rise of fast fashion, which has led to a dramatic increase in textile waste. The shift in consumer behaviour towards purchasing more clothing, more frequently, means that a vast majority of clothes tossed each year are not recycled. Globally, only about 12-15% of textiles are recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills. In the US alone, the average consumer throws away approximately 81.5 pounds of clothing annually, resulting in millions of tons of textile waste.

The use of synthetic fibres is harmful

The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter of water in the world. It is responsible for 20% of all industrial water pollution worldwide. The industry is also a significant contributor to air pollution, emitting more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined.

The use of synthetic fibres is a major contributor to the fashion industry's harmful impact on the environment. Synthetic fibres, such as polyester, are made from petroleum-based chemicals and are synthesized in laboratories. These chemicals are toxic and have been linked to serious health issues, including nausea, vomiting, headache, chest pain, and even more severe problems like necrosis, anorexia, polyneuropathy, paralysis, insomnia, and Parkinson's disease. The production of synthetic fibres releases two to three times more carbon emissions than natural fibres like cotton, and they do not break down in the ocean, contributing to microplastic pollution.

Textile wastewaters from synthetic fibre production contain harmful chemicals, including lead, mercury, and arsenic, which are dumped directly into rivers and spread across the globe, causing toxic water pollution. The dyeing process for synthetic fibres also uses a significant amount of water, contributing to the industry's water pollution.

The processing treatment for synthetic fibres uses several toxic chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, glacial acetic acid, and sulphuric acid. These chemicals can linger on clothing, causing adverse health effects for wearers. When wood pulp is bleached during the production process, it releases a toxic by-product called dioxin.

The use of synthetic fibres in the fashion industry has serious environmental and health implications. The toxic chemicals used in their production and the high levels of carbon emissions contribute to water and air pollution, endangering both human health and the natural environment.

Fashion's environmental impact is hard to regulate due to questionable facts and lack of research

The fashion industry has a significant environmental impact, with fast fashion in particular contributing to the degradation of the planet. However, the industry's negative consequences are often overlooked by consumers, and regulation to address these issues has been limited. While some progress has been made through initiatives like Fashion Revolution Week and Greenpeace's Detox campaign, as well as legislation such as France's new regulation on washing machine plastic-fibre filters, the task of mitigating the industry's environmental impact is challenging due to questionable facts and a lack of comprehensive research.

One of the main issues is the industry's contribution to water pollution. Textile dyeing is known to be the world's second-largest polluter of water, with toxic chemicals and dyes being released into ditches, streams, and rivers. However, there is a lack of transparency and research regarding the specific chemicals used, their sources, and their long-term environmental consequences. For example, while it is established that toxic substances such as lead, mercury, and arsenic are present in wastewater from textile factories, the full extent of their impact on aquatic life and human health may not be fully understood due to limited research.

Another area of concern is the fashion industry's role in soil degradation. Practices such as overgrazing of pastures for cashmere goats and sheep raised for their wool, the massive use of chemicals for cotton cultivation, and deforestation for wood-based fibers contribute to soil degradation and ecosystem disruption. However, the specific extent and long-term effects of these practices on soil health and biodiversity are not well-documented, making it challenging to implement effective regulatory measures.

Additionally, the fashion industry's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and the use of non-renewable resources are significant. While it is known that the industry is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, with clothing production responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions, the specific sources and distribution of these emissions within the industry are not always clear. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to implement targeted regulations or incentives to reduce emissions effectively. Similarly, the use of non-renewable resources, such as the massive amounts of water and energy required for clothing production, is a concern, but the specific water and energy footprints of different fashion brands are not always publicly available or accurately measured, hindering effective regulation.

Furthermore, the societal and human rights implications of the fashion industry, particularly in developing economies, add complexity to the issue. Rapid production and the pursuit of cheap labor costs have led to human rights violations, including evidence of forced and child labor in some countries. These issues are often interconnected with environmental degradation, as limited labor rights and unsafe working conditions coincide with environmental pollution in production sites. However, the lack of comprehensive research and transparency in supply chains makes it challenging to address these issues effectively through regulation.

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