Brian Barton
The fashion industry is widely believed to be the second most polluting industry in the world, after oil and gas. It is responsible for 2-10% of global carbon emissions, with the fast fashion industry alone contributing about 92 million tons of waste per year. The 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. It is also a major contributor to water pollution, with 20% of global industrial water pollution caused by garment production and the use of over 800 chemicals in the dying and cultivating processes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global rank in pollution | Second most polluting industry |
| Carbon emissions | 10% of global carbon emissions |
| Greenhouse gas emissions | 8% of global emissions |
| Water usage | 700 gallons for a shirt, 2,000 gallons for jeans, 215 trillion litres of water annually |
| Water pollution | 20% of industrial water pollution |
| Waste | 92 million tons of waste per year |
| Energy usage | High |
| Microplastics in ocean | 35% from laundering of synthetic textiles |
| Chemicals used | Over 800 |
| Insecticide use | 16% globally |
| Herbicide use | 25% globally |
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What You'll Learn
Fast fashion's environmental impact
Fast fashion has a significant environmental impact. It is the second-largest consumer of water, requiring about 700 gallons to produce one cotton shirt and 2,000 gallons of water to produce a pair of jeans. Globally, the fashion industry uses 80 billion cubic meters of water annually, and this number is set to rise to 120 billion cubic meters by 2030. The industry is also a leading cause of water pollution, with 20% of global industrial water pollution caused by garment production. The dyeing and finishing processes alone use over 800 chemicals, which are absorbed into the soil and washed into waterways.
The fast fashion industry is responsible for about 92 million tons of waste per year. It is also a significant contributor to carbon emissions, with global clothing and footwear production generating 8-10% of the world's carbon emissions. If the fashion sector continues on its current trajectory, its share of carbon emissions could jump to 26% by 2050. The industry is also a major emitter of greenhouse gases, with emissions expected to rise by almost 50% by 2030 if no changes are made.
The use of synthetic fibres in fast fashion is a growing environmental concern. Synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon are non-biodegradable and contribute to the microplastic pollution in our oceans. In 2018, global consumption of synthetic fibres reached 60 million tons, and today, an estimated 60% of clothing and 70% of household textiles are made of synthetic fibres. These plastic-based textiles emit microfibres when washed, contributing to ocean pollution.
The environmental impact of fast fashion has led to a growing movement towards slow fashion, which advocates for more sustainable business models that respect people, the environment, and animals. Some companies are integrating sustainability principles into their business strategies, such as garment collection schemes, recycling programmes, and the use of recycled materials in production. There is also a growing trend towards recommerce, mindful textile purchasing, and supporting sustainable fashion brands.
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Water usage and pollution
The fashion industry is a major consumer of water. Globally, the industry uses 80 billion cubic meters of water annually, which is projected to increase to 120 billion cubic meters by 2030. To put this into perspective, it takes 2,700 litres of water to produce a single t-shirt and 10,000 litres for a pair of jeans.
The industry's water usage has a significant impact on countries with already scarce water resources, such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam, which are also the top locations for fast fashion production. For example, in India, 22,500 litres of water is consumed for every 1kg of cotton produced.
The fashion industry is also a significant contributor to water pollution. Around 20% of global industrial water pollution is caused by garment production, specifically the dyeing and cultivating processes, which use over 800 chemicals. These chemicals are absorbed into the soil and washed into waterways, causing widespread negative effects as most are toxic, bio-accumulative, hormone-disruptive, or carcinogenic.
Textile dyeing is the world's second-largest source of water pollution, as the wastewater from the dyeing process is often dumped into ditches, streams, or rivers. In Cambodia, the garment industry accounts for 69% of all toxic discharges, with industrial wastewater being released into landfills.
The use of synthetic fibres in clothing, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, further contributes to water pollution. These fibres take hundreds of years to biodegrade and release microfibres, or small pieces of plastic, when washed. It is estimated that 35% of all microplastics found in the ocean come from the laundering of synthetic textiles.
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Greenhouse gas emissions
The fashion industry is widely regarded as the second most polluting industry in the world. It is responsible for 2-10% of global carbon emissions, with some sources giving a higher estimate of 8% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. This is largely due to the energy used in manufacturing, which is mainly derived from hard coal and natural gas. The environmental impact of the fashion industry is expected to worsen, with greenhouse gas emissions projected to increase by almost 50% by 2030 if the industry continues with a "business-as-usual" approach.
The fashion industry's carbon emissions are largely driven by fast fashion, which encourages consumers to frequently buy and discard clothes. The dominant business model in the sector, fast fashion is characterized by rapidly changing collections offered at low prices. This has resulted in a significant increase in clothing consumption, with consumers buying 60% more garments in 2014 than in 2000, but keeping them for only half as long. The production of clothing has also almost doubled in the same period, rising from 58 million tonnes in 2000 to 116 million tonnes in 2022.
The environmental impact of the fashion industry extends beyond greenhouse gas emissions. It is 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 significant water resources and often result in polluted wastewater being discharged into the environment. The industry's water usage is estimated at 80 billion cubic meters annually, and this figure is projected to increase to 120 billion cubic meters by 2030.
The fashion industry also contributes to waste generation, with 85% of all textiles ending up in dumps each year. The use of synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon, which are non-biodegradable, further exacerbates the issue of waste. These synthetic fibers are also a source of microplastic pollution, with 35% of global microplastic pollution in oceans attributed to synthetic fibers from the fashion industry.
The social and environmental costs of the fashion industry have led to a growing movement towards sustainable fashion. Organizations and companies are advocating for and implementing more sustainable business models and practices, including recycling, upcycling, and the use of recycled materials.
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The use of synthetic fibres
The fashion industry is widely believed to be the second most polluting industry in the world, after oil and gas. It is responsible for 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, with fast fashion alone accounting for 10% of global carbon emissions.
Synthetic fibres, such as polyester, are a key contributor to the fashion industry's environmental impact. They are non-biodegradable and widely used, with over 60% of fabrics in fast fashion made from synthetic materials. This has led to a significant presence of microplastics in the ocean, with synthetic fibres contributing 35% of global microplastic pollution.
The production and processing of synthetic fibres also have environmental implications. The dyeing and finishing processes require significant water resources, contributing to the industry's high water consumption, which is around 80-93 billion cubic meters annually. The fashion industry is also responsible for around 20% of global industrial water pollution, with toxic chemicals used in the dyeing process being absorbed into soils and washed into waterways.
While some companies are taking steps towards sustainability, such as recycling programmes and the use of recycled materials, the industry's overall approach to synthetic fibres remains problematic. Many brands are increasing their use of synthetic fibres, employing distraction and delay tactics to protect their fast-fashion business model. There is a lack of transparency around the use of synthetic fibres, with many companies failing to provide clear information on their usage and weight.
The proliferation of synthetic fibres in the fashion industry has led to widespread environmental and health risks associated with microplastic pollution. Despite growing evidence, many companies are reluctant to acknowledge the severity of the issue and implement meaningful change.
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The social cost of the fashion industry
The fashion industry is widely believed to be the second most polluting industry in the world. It is responsible for 2-10% of global carbon emissions, with manufacturing concentrated in Asia, where the industry is mainly reliant on hard coal and natural gas for electricity and heat. The fast fashion industry alone generates about 92 million tons of waste per year.
The use of chemicals in clothing production also raises serious health concerns for both industry workers and consumers. In addition, the social cost of the fashion industry extends to gender inequality. While the industry relies heavily on female consumers, it has been criticised for perpetuating gender stereotypes and contributing to body image issues.
Furthermore, the social impact of the fashion industry is not limited to its direct employees or consumers. The industry's environmental degradation, particularly in developing nations, has far-reaching consequences for local communities. For example, in Cambodia, the garment industry accounts for 69% of all toxic discharges, releasing industrial wastewater into landfills and burning waste garments in brick kilns, leading to additional pollutants in the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world after the oil and gas sector.
The fashion industry is responsible for 2-10% of global carbon emissions. 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. It is also the second-largest polluter of water, with around 20% of industrial wastewater pollution worldwide originating from the fashion industry.
Fast fashion refers to the business model of offering consumers constantly changing collections at low prices, encouraging them to frequently buy and discard clothes. It is characterized by a rapid turnaround from design to store, low manufacturing standards, and a focus on micro-trends.
Alternatives to fast fashion include recommerce, slow fashion, recycling, upcycling, mindful textile purchasing, and supporting sustainable fashion brands.
