The Dark Side Of Fashion: Clothing Pollution

The fashion industry has an enormous impact on the environment, contributing to climate change, water degradation, air and soil pollution, and textile waste. Fast fashion, in particular, has accelerated the environmental degradation caused by the fashion industry. The fast fashion model involves the rapid design, production, distribution, and marketing of clothing, allowing consumers to access a wide variety of trendy, affordable clothing. However, this rapid production and consumption of clothing have led to a significant increase in waste and pollution. With the rise of fast fashion, the quantity of clothes produced and discarded has surged, and less than 1% of clothing is recycled into new garments. The production and disposal of clothing involve the use of toxic chemicals, hazardous working conditions, and the release of microplastics and microfibers into the environment. These issues have spurred legislative efforts, such as New York's Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act, to hold the fashion industry accountable for its environmental and social impact.

The fashion industry is the world's second-largest polluter

The environmental impact of the fashion industry is significant, with clothing production accounting for about 10% of global carbon emissions. The industry also consumes vast amounts of water, with the fashion industry being the second-largest consumer of water globally. The dyeing and finishing processes, which are integral to clothing production, require a significant amount of water. The textile sector consumes around 1.5 trillion litres of freshwater across its entire value chain, and the dyeing process alone uses enough water to fill 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools each year.

The fashion industry is responsible for water pollution as well. Untreated toxic wastewaters from textile factories are often dumped directly into rivers, polluting water sources and causing harm to the environment and local communities. This issue is particularly prevalent in countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam, which are top locations for fast fashion production but struggle with scarce water resources.

The use of synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acrylic in clothing production has also contributed to the industry's pollution problem. These synthetic fibres take hundreds of years to biodegrade and are a significant source of microplastic pollution in the oceans. When washed, synthetic garments release microfibers into the ocean, with an estimated 500,000 tons of microfibers being released annually, equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles.

Addressing the environmental impact of the fashion industry requires a multi-faceted approach. Consumers can play a role by reducing their consumption, buying second-hand or from sustainable brands, and supporting initiatives like Fashion Revolution. Companies need to be held accountable for their environmental practices and should focus on creating sustainable business models that maximise the useful life of their products.

Textile dyeing is the world's second-largest water polluter

The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, just after the oil industry. Textile dyeing is a significant contributor to this, as it is the world's second-largest water polluter. The dyeing process uses enough water to fill 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools each year, and the resulting wastewater is often dumped untreated into ditches, streams, or rivers, causing water pollution. This wastewater also ends up in the water table, getting into rivers and oceans, and is even used to irrigate fields.

The social and economic development in China, a country where the textile industry is one of the most important industries, has led to a significant deterioration in the water environment, limiting sustainable regional development. This is a major problem in other countries that dominate the dyeing industry, such as Bangladesh, Thailand, and Indonesia.

The fashion industry produces 20% of the world's wastewater, with the dyeing and finishing processes being the single worst contributors to climate change within the industry. These processes are responsible for 3% of global CO2 emissions, which is predicted to increase to over 10% by 2050. That is more than the CO2 produced by shipping and aviation combined.

The heavy use of chemicals in the dyeing process also causes massive freshwater and ocean water pollution. These chemicals are harmful to both the environment and human health, as they are even found in our food and water.

To reduce water pollution caused by textile dyeing, new technologies that reduce water usage and chemical use during the dyeing process need to be developed and implemented. Some countries, like Bangladesh and China, have already brought in legislation to address this issue, requiring factories to install water treatment plants and crack down on high-polluting textile factories. Consumers, brands, and manufacturers also need to work together to demand that clothes are produced in less harmful ways.

Consumers are buying more clothes than ever

The average person bought 60% more garments in 2014 than they did in 2000, and clothing production has roughly doubled since 2000. In Europe, fashion companies went from offering an average of two collections per year in 2000 to five in 2011, with some brands offering even more. Zara, for example, puts out 24 collections per year, while H&M offers between 12 and 16. This has led to consumers feeling constantly out of date and encouraged to keep buying more.

The fashion industry preys on consumers' desire to stay up to date and buy new clothes, with companies pushing new trends endlessly and seasons moving faster than ever. Many of these items of clothing are simply made to become waste, to make way for the next batch of clothing. This has resulted in consumers buying more clothes than they can wear, with one study finding that people don't wear 50% of the clothing they own. Americans throw out 17 million tons of clothing and textiles each year, and 65% of clothing is thrown out within 12 months of its purchase.

The rise of fast fashion has also contributed to the problem of textile waste, with 11.3 megatons of textile waste ending up in landfills every year since 2017, which is 80% more waste than in 2000. This waste often ends up in landfills in neighbourhoods with a larger percentage of BIPOC residents, contributing to environmental injustice. Ultimately, the best way to reduce the impact of clothing on the environment is to buy less, and this starts with consumers thinking more about their purchases and holding companies accountable for their promises.

Synthetic fibres like polyester are polluting the oceans

The fashion industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, just behind the oil industry. It accounts for 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, dries up water sources, pollutes rivers and streams, and is responsible for 20% of industrial water pollution worldwide.

Synthetic fibres, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, are a major driver of this pollution. These fibres are forms of plastic and make up about 60% of the clothing we wear globally. They are cheap and versatile, providing stretch, breathability, warmth, and sturdiness. However, they are a significant source of ocean plastic pollution.

The production of polyester releases two to three times more carbon emissions than cotton, and the fabric does not break down in the ocean. When synthetic clothes are washed, they release microfibres, which are a form of microplastic. These microfibres pass through sewage treatment plants and eventually reach the ocean. A single load of laundry could release hundreds of thousands of fibres into the water supply.

A 2017 report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated that 35% of all microplastics in the ocean came from laundering synthetic textiles like polyester. Another study found that 73% of fish caught at mid-ocean depths in the Northwest Atlantic had microplastics in their stomachs. These plastics are also ending up in our bodies through water and food, with unknown impacts on health.

To reduce the pollution caused by synthetic fibres, consumers can buy second-hand or from sustainable brands, repair and resell clothes, and join campaigns that scrutinise fashion companies' environmental practices.

Consumers can demand more sustainable practices from companies

Consumers can play a crucial role in demanding more sustainable practices from clothing companies. Firstly, consumers can hold companies accountable for their promises and commitments towards sustainability. For instance, the UK's Green Claims Code enables consumers to call out companies that falsely advertise "green" or "recycled" products. Similarly, consumers can support initiatives like Fashion Revolution and Labour Behind the Label, which scrutinize fashion companies' environmental and labour rights practices.

Secondly, consumers can make conscious choices to reduce their environmental impact. This includes buying second-hand or from sustainable brands, repairing and upcycling clothing, and developing a deeper connection with their wardrobe. By extending the lifespan of their clothing, consumers can reduce the demand for new garments and curb the negative environmental impacts of clothing production.

Moreover, consumers can prioritize purchasing from companies that meet specific environmental criteria. According to the PwC 2024 Voice of the Consumer Survey, consumers are willing to pay a premium of 9.7% on average for goods that are locally sourced, made from recycled or eco-friendly materials, and produced with a lower carbon footprint. This shift in consumption patterns empowers companies that truly embrace sustainability and encourages other companies to follow suit.

Additionally, consumers can leverage their purchasing power to influence company practices. With total US consumer spending accounting for over $14 trillion annually, consumers have a strong voice in demanding sustainable practices from companies. By supporting sustainable brands and boycotting companies with unsustainable or unethical practices, consumers can drive change in the industry.

Finally, consumers can educate themselves and others about the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry. By sharing knowledge about sustainable alternatives, repairing, and reselling, consumers can build awareness and encourage others to make more sustainable choices. This collective action can exert pressure on companies to adopt more sustainable practices throughout their value chains.

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