Meghan Hodges
The textile industry is one of the world's largest and most polluting, with fast fashion being a major contributor to the rise in consumption. The production and manufacturing of textiles are ecologically damaging, with high energy, water, and chemical use, along with the generation of textile waste. The industry is responsible for a significant amount of global CO2 emissions, estimated at 8-10% of the total, and is the second-biggest consumer of water. It is also a significant contributor to global water pollution, with an estimated 20% of clean water pollution attributed to dyes and finishing agents leaking into the environment. The release of microfibers and microplastics, mainly from washing synthetic textiles, is another concern, with an estimated 500,000 tons of microfibers released into the ocean each year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Water consumption | 79 billion cubic meters of water in 2015 globally; 2,700 liters of water for a single cotton shirt; 7,000 gallons of water for a pair of jeans |
| Water pollution | 20% of clean water pollution worldwide caused by dyes and finishing agents; second-largest polluter of water |
| Land use | 400 square meters of land per average EU citizen |
| Energy consumption | High energy use, contributing to 8-10% of global carbon emissions |
| Chemical use | Massive use of various chemicals, including fertilizers, pesticides, pigments, bleach, etc., leading to groundwater contamination |
| Waste generation | 11 million tons of textile waste in US landfills in 2018; 85% of textiles go to dumps each year; microplastics and microfibers released during washing |
| Deforestation | 30% of rayon and viscose sourced from ancient and endangered forests |
| Greenhouse gas emissions | Release of hazardous chemicals and GHGs from incineration and landfill; microplastics contribute to ocean pollution |
| Fast fashion | Cheap, low-quality clothing leads to increased waste and resource depletion; promotes frequent washing, releasing microplastics |
| Social impact | Exploitative labor practices, particularly in developing economies, with 80% of apparel made by young women aged 18-24 |
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What You'll Learn
Water usage and pollution
The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water, using 93 billion cubic meters of water annually. The textile industry uses 1.3 trillion gallons of water every year for dyeing garments, enough to fill 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. The dyeing process is the most polluting step, with non-biodegradable dyes and harmful chemicals being released into wastewater.
The textile industry is responsible for 20% of global water pollution, according to the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW). This is enough water to meet the needs of 110 million people for a year. The industry's water pollution is caused by the release of untreated wastewater into public sewers and waterways, which results in the extermination of biodiversity.
The dyeing process uses a large number of harmful chemicals, including oil, phenol, dyes, pesticides, and heavy metals such as copper, mercury, and chromium. These chemicals are released into the water, contaminating streams, groundwater, and even food sources as the polluted water is sometimes used to irrigate crops. Microfibres, or tiny synthetic fibres, are another significant source of pollution from the textile industry. These fibres are released during production, as well as when clothes are worn and washed, spreading across rivers and oceans.
The rise of fast fashion has exacerbated the issue of water pollution in the textile industry. Fast fashion encourages mass production, low prices, and high sales volumes, leading to increased water consumption and pollution. The production of wastewater and solid waste at various stages of the supply chain contributes to environmental degradation.
To address these issues, there is a growing focus on sustainability and circular economy models in the textile industry. New business models, such as clothing rental and redesigning, aim to extend the life of garments. Additionally, innovations like the mussel-inspired nanomaterial created by researchers at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, show promise in cleaning up dyes and other pollutants from industrial wastewater.
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Greenhouse gas emissions
The textile industry is responsible for a significant amount of global CO2 emissions, contributing to climate change and global warming. The industry's complex supply chain, involving the transportation of fabrics and garments from production points, often in developing countries, and its energy-intensive production methods, result in substantial greenhouse gas emissions.
The fast fashion business model, with its quick and cheap production methods, has led to an increased demand for clothing, exacerbating the issue. The proliferation of fast fashion has resulted in a consistent throughput of natural resources, with the fashion industry projected to account for approximately 25% of the world's carbon budget by 2050. This increased consumption of natural resources will lead to heightened ecological degradation and further climate change.
Textile production consumes an immense amount of clean water, with global textile production estimated to have used 79 billion cubic meters of water in 2015. Cotton cultivation, often located in water-scarce regions, demands a substantial amount of water, contributing to water shortages and pollution, impacting the availability of clean drinking water for local populations.
The incineration and dumping of clothing, which often contains chemicals, further contribute to environmental issues. The release of greenhouse gases and toxic gases during incineration negatively affects the environment, and the disposal of clothing in landfills leads to waste accumulation and pollution.
To address these concerns, various strategies are being proposed and implemented. The European Commission has introduced an EU Strategy on Sustainable and Circular Textiles, aiming to make textiles more durable, repairable, reusable, and recyclable. The strategy includes ecodesign requirements, clearer information for consumers, and encouraging companies to minimize their carbon and environmental impact. The revision of the waste directive will introduce extended producer responsibility schemes, with producers responsible for the separate collection, sorting, and recycling of textiles. Additionally, the Climate and Resilience Act, based on five themes, aims to create an environmental label for consumers, providing a visual rating displayed on products to help them make informed choices.
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Use of hazardous chemicals
The use of hazardous chemicals in the textile industry is a significant environmental concern. The production of textiles involves the use of various chemicals that can be harmful if they leak into the environment. These chemicals are used throughout the entire production process, from crop cultivation to fabric processing. For example, during crop cultivation, fertilizers and pesticides are used, which can contaminate groundwater. In fabric processing, pigments, bleach, and other chemical products are used to make clothing water-resistant, antibacterial, or wrinkle-resistant.
The massive use of chemicals in textile production is one of the biggest environmental problems in the sector. It is estimated that about 20% of all pollution of clean water worldwide is attributed to dyes and finishing agents leaking into the environment from the textile industry. This includes the dyeing and finishing of textiles, which is the second-largest polluter of water. The water leftover from the dyeing process is often dumped into ditches, streams, or rivers, polluting these water sources.
In addition to water pollution, the use of hazardous chemicals in the textile industry also contributes to air pollution. The production and manufacturing of textiles, particularly synthetic textiles, release volatile particulate matter and acids like hydrogen chloride into the air. The transportation of goods globally at various stages of production and distribution also contributes to air pollution and the industry's carbon footprint.
Furthermore, the deterioration of textile waste in landfills and/or incineration can release hazardous chemicals and greenhouse gases into the environment. Textiles can take up to 200+ years to decompose in landfills, and only a small percentage of used textiles are recycled. The majority of textile waste ends up in landfills, contributing to the emission of toxic gases and the increase of landfills.
The presence of hazardous chemicals in the textile industry is a significant environmental issue that needs to be addressed. Control and legislation regarding the use and disposal of chemicals in the textile industry are crucial to minimizing their impact on the environment. The European Union has introduced legislation to guide producers towards more sustainable and circular methods, and the EU Ecolabel helps consumers identify products that include fewer harmful substances.
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Textile waste
In the US, the average consumer throws away around 81.5 pounds of clothing per year, which amounts to 11.3 million tons of textile waste annually. Globally, the picture is even more stark, with 92 million tons of clothing ending up in landfills out of 100 billion garments produced each year. This is predicted to increase to 134 million tons annually by the end of the decade if no action is taken.
The waste is not just in the form of clothing, but also in the resources used to make them. It takes 2,700 litres of water to make one cotton shirt, and the global textile industry consumed an estimated 79 billion cubic meters of water in 2015. Cotton cultivation, in particular, is water-intensive, and cotton plantations are often located in water-scarce regions, putting pressure on local water supplies and leading to water shortages and pollution. The production of textiles also requires significant amounts of chemicals, energy, and other natural resources.
The environmental impact of textile waste is felt throughout the supply chain. The production phase has the most significant environmental impact, with raw material extraction, processing, and manufacturing being highly intensive in terms of energy, water, and chemical use. The pollution generated by these processes has a detrimental impact on the health of local people, animals, and ecosystems where the factories are located. During the decomposition process in landfills, textiles also generate greenhouse methane gas and leach toxic chemicals and dyes into the groundwater and soil.
However, there are efforts to reduce the environmental impact of textile waste. Some brands are working to keep clothing out of landfills by changing how they produce their textiles and providing better ways for consumers to dispose of them. The EU, for example, has introduced legislation to guide producers towards more sustainable and circular methods, with an aim to achieve a circular economy by 2050. Businesses are also exploring new models, such as clothing rental, and encouraging consumers to buy better-quality clothing that lasts longer.
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Energy-intensive production
The textile industry is responsible for a significant amount of global CO2 emissions, exceeding those from several other sectors such as international aviation and shipping. The apparel and footwear industries generate 8–10% of global carbon emissions, with production and manufacturing being the most ecologically damaging aspects of the industry. The textile industry's carbon footprint is caused by high energy consumption, long supply chains, and energy-intensive production methods.
Textile production occurs through geographically long and complex supply chains that include growers and processors of raw fibres, yarns and textiles, weavers, knitters, dyers and finishers, product manufacturers, and distributors. The logistical requirements of transporting goods globally at the various stages of production and distribution contribute to the industry's carbon footprint.
The production of synthetic textiles is an energy-intensive process that requires large amounts of petroleum and releases volatile particulate matter and acids like hydrogen chloride. Cotton, which is used in a large number of fast-fashion products, is also not environmentally friendly to manufacture. Pesticides deemed necessary for the growth of cotton present health risks to farmers.
The textile industry is also a significant water consumer, with global textile production estimated to have consumed 79 billion cubic meters of water in 2015. Cotton cultivation, in particular, demands a substantial amount of water, and cotton plantations are often located in water-scarce regions. The industry's water consumption leads to water shortages and pollution, resulting in a lack of clean drinking water for local populations.
The environmental impact of the textile industry can be reduced through less fast fashion, longer use, reuse, and recycling, including the implementation and scaling of circular business models for textiles.
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Frequently asked questions
The textile industry is responsible for about 20% of global clean water pollution from dyeing and finishing products. The water leftover from the dyeing process is often dumped into ditches, streams, or rivers.
The production and manufacturing of textiles are highly intensive in terms of energy use, with major textile-producing countries like China, India, and Bangladesh still relying on coal. The industry is responsible for 8 to 10% of total global CO2 emissions.
The rise of fast fashion has led to an increase in consumption and waste. Consumers are purchasing more clothing more frequently, and the average US consumer throws away approximately 81.5 pounds of clothes annually, leading to an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste in America alone.
The massive use of various chemicals in textile production is one of the biggest environmental problems in the sector. Chemicals are used during crop cultivation, fabric processing, and manufacturing that can harm the environment if they leak into it.
The release of microplastics from synthetic textiles during washing is a significant concern, with more than half a million tons of microplastics ending up on the ocean floor each year. A 2017 report estimated that 35% of all microplastics found in the ocean come from laundering synthetic textiles.
