Kiera Jefferson
The fashion industry is the second-largest polluting industry in the world, after oil and gas. It is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, 20% of global wastewater, and 35% of microplastic pollution in oceans. The fast fashion business model, with its short fashion cycles, rapid production, and low prices, has led to overconsumption and waste generation, with serious environmental consequences. Water pollution, the use of toxic chemicals, and the emission of greenhouse gases are some of the key issues associated with the fashion industry's supply chains and manufacturing processes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global carbon emissions | 8-10% |
| Global industrial water pollution | 20% |
| Waste generation | 92 million tons per year |
| Water usage | 80 billion cubic meters per year |
| Water usage for jeans | 700-2,000 gallons per pair |
| Water usage for t-shirts | 2,700 litres per t-shirt |
| Water pollution by chemicals | 800+ |
| Insecticide usage | 16% of global usage |
| Herbicide usage | 25% of global usage |
| Microplastics in oceans | 35% |
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What You'll Learn
Fast fashion's environmental impact
Fast fashion has a massive environmental impact. It is the second-biggest consumer of water, requiring about 700 gallons to produce one cotton shirt and 2,000 gallons of water to produce a pair of jeans. The fashion industry uses 80 billion cubic meters of water annually, with this number set to rise to 120 billion cubic meters by 2030. It is also the second-largest polluter of water, as the water leftover from the dyeing process is often dumped into ditches, streams, or rivers. The dyeing and finishing processes require significant water resources, and the fashion industry uses around 1.5 trillion liters of freshwater across its entire value chain globally.
The fast-fashion business model is dependent on quickly identifying and reacting to new trends and consumer shopping behaviors, as well as low manufacturing standards. This results in the constant need to get rid of the old to make space for the new, generating mountains of waste. Fast fashion is responsible for about 92 million tons of waste per year, and 85% of all textiles go to dumps each year. The industry also dries up water sources and pollutes rivers and streams.
The production of wastewater and textile waste from fast fashion contributes to decreasing air and water quality. The use of synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which are non-biodegradable, make up 35% of microplastic pollution in oceans. Even washing clothes releases microfibers into the ocean each year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles.
The fast fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, with an anticipated 50% increase in emissions by 2030. It is also a reason for the growing levels of waste generation and environmental degradation. The clothing and textile industries are especially notorious for contributing to environmental degradation, including greenhouse gas emissions and the generation of wastewater and solid wastes at the various stages of production and long supply chains.
To reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion, consumers can simply buy fewer clothes. When buying clothing, consumers can also prioritize companies that are taking steps to lessen their environmental impact, such as H&M, Levi's, and Know the Origin.
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Water usage and pollution
The fashion industry is also a major contributor to water pollution, with 20% of global industrial water pollution caused by garment production. The dyeing and finishing processes, which are integral to clothing production, require a significant amount of water and often result in the dumping of leftover water into natural water bodies. Around 70% of untreated industrial waste is disposed of in this way, polluting ditches, streams, rivers, and other water bodies. These processes also involve the use of over 800 chemicals, including toxic, bio-accumulative, hormone-disrupting, and carcinogenic substances, which can have widespread negative effects on the environment and human health. For example, a US cotton farmer died prematurely from a brain tumour, and Indian cotton farmers' children commonly experience serious birth defects.
Cotton production, though only occupying 3% of the world's farmland, is responsible for a disproportionate amount of global insecticide (16%) and herbicide (25%) use. These chemicals are absorbed into the soil and washed into waterways, further contributing to water pollution. The fashion industry's heavy reliance on synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which are present in over 60% of fast fashion fabrics, is another significant source of water pollution. When washed, each piece of clothing made from synthetic fibres emits microfibres, or small pieces of plastic, contributing to the growing presence of microplastics in the ocean. A 2017 report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated that 35% of all microplastics in the ocean come from laundering synthetic textiles.
The environmental impact of the fashion industry is particularly pronounced in countries with already scarce water resources, such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam, where many fast fashion production facilities are located. For example, in Cambodia, the garment industry accounts for 69% of all toxic discharges, and in China, the world's largest textile producer, 20% of global industrial water pollution is attributed to the fashion industry. While some countries, like China, have implemented plans to address water pollution, such as the "Water Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan", the fashion industry's water usage and pollution continue to be pressing issues that require urgent attention and collective action.
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Greenhouse gas emissions
The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry, contributing 8% to 10% of all carbon emissions. This equates to 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, with each UK household producing the equivalent emissions of driving a modern car for 6,000 miles through their clothing consumption. The industry is expected to see a 50% increase in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, according to the Head of the Consumption and Production Unit at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Elisa Tonda.
The fashion industry's environmental impact includes the depletion of non-renewable sources, the emission of greenhouse gases, and the use of massive amounts of water and energy. The industry is the second-biggest consumer of water, requiring about 700 gallons to produce one cotton shirt, 2,700 litres for a t-shirt, and 2,000 gallons for a pair of jeans—equivalent to 7,500 litres.
Textile dyeing is the world's second-largest polluter of water, as the leftover water from the dyeing process is often dumped into ditches, streams, or rivers. The fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global industrial water pollution, with 70% of untreated industrial waste being disposed of into water bodies. The dyeing and finishing processes also require significant water resources, with the textile sector consuming around 1.5 trillion litres of freshwater across its entire global value chain.
The environmental impact of the fashion industry is particularly evident in the production and supply chain stages. The use of synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which are non-biodegradable, contribute to 35% of global microplastic pollution in oceans. The washing of clothes made from synthetic fibres also emits microfibres, or small pieces of plastic, into the ocean.
To address the environmental impact of the fashion industry, companies are integrating sustainability principles into their business strategies. For example, H&M has a garment collection scheme and has committed to being 100% sustainable by 2040, while Levi's is dedicated to cutting their greenhouse gas emissions in their global supply chain by 40%.
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Waste generation
The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer industry of water, requiring about 700 gallons to produce one cotton shirt and 2,000 gallons of water to produce a pair of jeans. It takes 2,700 litres of water to produce just one t-shirt, and 7,500 to 10,000 litres to produce a pair of jeans, according to varying sources. The fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global industrial water pollution, with 70% of untreated industrial waste being disposed of in water bodies.
Textile dyeing is the world's second-largest polluter of water, as the water leftover from the dyeing process is often dumped into ditches, streams, or rivers. The dyeing and finishing processes require significant water resources, and the cultivation of cotton for fabric is responsible for 16% of global insecticide and 25% of global herbicide use. These chemicals are absorbed into the soil and washed into waterways, creating widespread negative effects as most are toxic, bio-accumulative, disruptive to hormones, or carcinogenic.
The fast fashion business model is dependent on rapidly changing consumer shopping behaviours, with retailers putting out new styles at a record pace. This generates a constant need for new ideas and designs, as well as the need to get rid of the old to make space for the new. This contributes to the growing levels of waste generation in the industry, with 85% of all textiles going to dumps each year.
Synthetic fibres like nylon and polyester, which are non-biodegradable, are overused in the fashion industry, with 60% of fabrics used in fast fashion being these materials. These synthetic fibres are responsible for 35% of microplastic pollution in the ocean, as every piece of clothing made from them emits microfibres when washed.
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Social and economic impacts
The fashion industry has been deemed the second most polluting industry in the world, responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater. The social and economic impacts of the industry are far-reaching and complex.
Firstly, the industry's environmental degradation has direct social consequences. For example, in India, the excessive use of pesticides and herbicides in cotton farming has been linked to serious health issues, including the premature death of a US farmer from a brain tumour and widespread birth defects among Indian cotton farmers' children.
Secondly, the fashion industry's reliance on cheap labour in developing nations has significant social and economic implications. About 90% of clothing production is outsourced to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where labour is cheap and regulations are lenient. This has led to the exploitation of workers, with 93% of fast fashion workers not earning enough to meet minimum wage requirements. For instance, SHEIN's workers are paid as little as 4 cents per item.
Thirdly, the industry's environmental impact has economic repercussions. The use of non-renewable resources, water, and energy consumption, coupled with the emission of greenhouse gases, contributes to climate change and resource depletion. The industry's water usage is particularly concerning, with garment production responsible for 20% of global industrial water pollution. This is especially problematic in water-scarce countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam, where the industry is located.
Lastly, the social pressure to keep up with fast-fashion trends has led to increased consumption and waste generation. An average British person today buys 60% more clothes than someone did 15 years ago and keeps them for half the time. This has resulted in a throwaway culture, with 85% of all textiles ending up in dumps each year. The social and economic costs of this waste are significant, as landfills fill up and microplastics from synthetic fibres pollute our oceans.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry after oil and gas.
The fast fashion industry produces about 92 million tons of waste per year.
The fashion industry contributes 8-10% of all carbon emissions, with an anticipated 50% increase in emissions by 2030. It is also responsible for 20% of global industrial water pollution.
Fast fashion refers to the business model of quickly translating new trends and designs into products sold at low prices. Major players in the fast fashion industry include Zara, H&M, Shein, Uniqlo, and Forever 21.
Consumers can reduce their environmental impact by buying less clothing and choosing sustainable fashion brands. Companies can also integrate sustainability principles into their business strategies, such as committing to using 100% sustainable textiles and fabrics.
