Bronte Wells
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. It is responsible for around 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with the manufacturing of apparel and footwear being a significant contributor. The industry also consumes and pollutes vast amounts of water, with garment production causing around 20% of global industrial water pollution. The use of synthetic fibres, such as polyester, nylon and acrylic, contributes to the proliferation of microfibres in global water sources, which has led to the presence of microplastics in marine life and, subsequently, the human food chain. The environmental impact of the fashion industry has spurred the emergence of counter-movements, such as slow fashion, which advocates for manufacturing that respects people, the environment, and animals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Global ranking | Second or third most polluting industry |
| Greenhouse gas emissions | 10% of global emissions (1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year)/5% of global emissions according to McKinsey |
| Water usage | 700 gallons for a shirt2,000-10,000 gallons for a pair of jeans |
| Water pollution | <co: 6,9>20% of global industrial water pollution |
| Energy usage | N/A |
| Waste | 85% of all textiles go to dumps each year |
| Chemicals | Over 800 used in dying and cultivating processes |
| Microplastics | 500,000 tons of microfibres released into the ocean each year |
| Fast fashion | 60% increase in clothing purchases over the last 15 years |
| Consumer awareness | Increasing |
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What You'll Learn
Fast fashion's environmental impact
Fast fashion is a term used to describe the "cheaply produced and priced garments that copy the latest catwalk styles and get pumped quickly through stores in order to maximize current trends." The fast fashion model involves the rapid design, production, distribution, and marketing of clothing.
The environmental impact of the fast fashion industry is significant. According to the UN Environment Programme, the industry is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. The industry's water consumption is expected to increase to 120 billion cubic meters by 2030, the equivalent of 48 million Olympic swimming pools. It takes 2,700 liters of water to produce a single cotton t-shirt, enough to meet one person's drinking needs for 2.5 years.
The fast fashion industry is also a major contributor to water pollution. Garment production is responsible for about 20% of global clean water pollution, with the dyeing and finishing processes alone using over 800 chemicals. These chemicals are absorbed into soils and washed into waterways, creating widespread negative effects as most are toxic, bio-accumulative, disruptive to hormones, or carcinogenic. The use of synthetic fibers in clothing, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, also contributes to water pollution as they emit microfibers or microplastics when washed. These microplastics can end up in the food chain and have been found in the oceans and even the lungs of living people.
In addition to water consumption and pollution, the fast fashion industry is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases. The industry's emissions are projected to increase by 60% by 2030, contributing to global warming and climate change. The use of harmful chemicals in the production of certain fabrics, such as viscose, also leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
The social and economic impacts of the fast fashion industry cannot be overlooked. The rise of fast fashion has been driven partly by social media and the industry's ability to bring fashion trends to consumers at a rapid pace. This has led to a significant increase in consumption, with the average British person buying 60% more clothes than 15 years ago and keeping them for only half the period. The low prices of fast fashion are often a result of cheap labor in countries with lax environmental regulations and low wages, such as Bangladesh and Indonesia.
To address the environmental and social impacts of the fast fashion industry, consumers are encouraged to reduce their consumption, buy from more sustainable brands, and support initiatives such as slow fashion, which advocates for manufacturing that respects people, the environment, and animals.
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Water usage and pollution
The fashion industry relies heavily on water for its survival. From the irrigation of cotton crops to the domestic washing of clothes, the industry is a major consumer of water globally. It is estimated that the fashion industry uses 79 billion cubic meters of water annually, which is the same amount used to fill 32 million Olympic swimming pools. This number is projected to increase to 120 billion cubic meters by 2030.
The production of clothing contributes significantly to water pollution. The dyeing and finishing processes are major sources of water pollution, with over 800 chemicals used in these processes alone. These chemicals are absorbed into soils and washed into waterways, creating widespread negative effects due to their toxic, bio-accumulative, hormone-disrupting, and carcinogenic properties. The use of synthetic fibres in clothing also contributes to water pollution, as each piece of clothing made from synthetic fibres emits microfibres, or small pieces of plastic, when washed.
The fashion industry is responsible for about 20% of global wastewater. This wastewater is produced at various stages of the supply chain, including agricultural cultivation, animal feeding, cleaning of machines, textile pre-treatment, and wet or laundering processes. The use of pesticides and fertilisers to increase cotton output also contributes to water pollution, as the agrochemical-contaminated water pollutes nearby water sources.
The rise of fast fashion has exacerbated the impact of the fashion industry on water usage and pollution. Fast fashion is based on mass production, low prices, and high sales volumes, which promotes more frequent washing of clothing. The shortening of fashion cycles also generates a constant need for new ideas and designs, leading to increased water consumption and pollution.
Some major players in the fast-fashion industry, such as H&M and Gap, have acknowledged their role in water pollution and have implemented measures to reduce water use and contamination. However, the lack of transparency and monitoring of water pollution levels in the industry makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of these measures.
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Greenhouse gas emissions
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. It is responsible for 2-8% of annual global carbon emissions, with some sources estimating that it is the third-largest polluting industry. The industry's carbon footprint is largely due to the energy consumption and emission intensity of the raw materials and processes involved in garment manufacturing.
Textile production is a major contributor to the industry's greenhouse gas emissions. The production of synthetic fibres, such as polyester, releases significant carbon emissions and is a leading cause of the surge of microplastics in the oceans. Approximately 35% of all microplastics come from synthetic fibres, with most resulting from washing machine wastewater. These microplastics have harmful consequences for marine ecosystems and can spread throughout the food chain.
The fashion industry's operating model exacerbates the problem by accelerating the pace of design and production. The constant introduction of new styles at low prices, known as fast fashion, has increased consumption and promoted frequent washing, contributing to higher emissions. According to the European Environment Agency, textile purchases in the EU in 2020 generated about 270 kg of CO2 emissions per person.
To reduce their environmental impact, some fashion companies have committed to sustainability initiatives. For example, Levi Strauss & Co. has announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their facilities by 90% and cut supply chain emissions by 40% by 2025. H&M has also pledged to offer sustainable and ethically made clothing through a circular production model and aims to run on fully renewable energy by 2040.
Additionally, stakeholders in the industry have collaborated with the United Nations to establish the "Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action." Based on the Paris Agreement, this charter aims to drive the fashion industry towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
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Microplastics in oceans
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, second only to the oil and gas sector. It is responsible for approximately 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, with fast fashion being a major contributor. The production and consumption of textiles have increased significantly due to the rise of fast fashion, driven by social media and the rapid introduction of new trends. As a result, the environmental impact of the fashion industry has become even more pronounced, with water usage and pollution being key concerns.
Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimetres in length, have become a significant issue in the fashion industry, particularly in relation to ocean pollution. Synthetic textiles, such as polyester, are a major source of these microplastics. When synthetic clothing is washed, it can shed microplastic fibres that are released into the environment. These fibres can then enter water bodies and contribute to ocean pollution. It is estimated that a single laundry load of polyester clothes can release up to 700,000 microplastic fibres, and between 200,000 and 500,000 tonnes of microplastics from textiles enter the oceans annually.
The accumulation of microplastics in the oceans has severe ecological consequences. These tiny particles can be ingested by marine wildlife, accumulating in their stomachs and disrupting the food chain. A study found that around 73% of fish caught at mid-ocean depths in the Northwest Atlantic had microplastics in their stomachs. Even animals in the deepest parts of the ocean, such as the Mariana Trench, are consuming microfibers.
The release of microplastics from textiles can be mitigated through various strategies. These include implementing sustainable design and production processes, adopting caretaking measures to control microplastic emissions during the use of synthetic textiles, and improving disposal and end-of-life processing. The European Union's (EU) strategy on sustainable textiles aims to facilitate a move towards more sustainable production, use, and end-of-life management of textiles, encouraging a shift away from fast fashion and short garment lifespans. Additionally, the EU's circular economy action plan targets microplastics by addressing the unintentional release of microplastics through labelling and standardisation, as well as harmonising measurement methods.
To address the issue of microplastics in the oceans, individuals can also make conscious decisions when purchasing clothing. Reducing the overall consumption of synthetic textiles and opting for natural fibres or more durable, long-lasting clothing can help minimise the release of microplastics during washing. Additionally, supporting companies that prioritise sustainability and environmental impact reduction can drive industry-wide changes.
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Worker and consumer health risks
The fashion industry has been described as the second most polluting industry after oil and gas, responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions. However, the impact of the industry on the health of workers, farmers, and consumers is often overlooked.
Firstly, the industry's water usage has a significant impact on local water sources and drinking water. Cotton production, for instance, uses up vast amounts of water, with an estimated 7,500 litres required to make a single pair of jeans. This has led to a 7% decrease in local groundwater and drinking water globally, particularly in water-stressed manufacturing countries such as India and China. The dyeing and finishing processes are also the world's second-largest polluters of water, as the leftover water is often dumped into natural water sources, contaminating them with toxic chemicals. These chemicals include the over 800 used in the dying and cultivating processes, many of which are toxic, bio-accumulative, hormone-disruptive, or carcinogenic. The use of these chemicals has had devastating consequences for local people, with reports of a US cotton farmer dying prematurely from a brain tumour and Indian cotton farmers' children suffering from serious birth defects.
Secondly, the industry's reliance on synthetic materials has led to the release of microplastics into the oceans, which often occurs through washing machines. These microplastics account for 35% of all microplastics in the ocean and have been found to have negative health effects on humans as they end up in the food chain.
Additionally, the pressure to produce clothing rapidly and cheaply has led to unethical treatment of workers and unsafe working environments. The industry's focus on planned obsolescence means that cheap synthetic fabrics are used to keep costs low, and designs are not adequately stress-tested. This has resulted in the use of unsustainable plastic fabrics and the increased use of harmful chemicals, which pose risks to the health of workers and farmers.
Finally, consumers are also at risk from the environmental impact of the fashion industry. The pollution generated by the industry has been found to have long-term and potentially irreversible effects on the environment and the health of local ecosystems. The rise of fast fashion has also led to increased consumption, with social media playing a significant role. This has resulted in a boom in the quantity of clothes produced and discarded, contributing to waste and pollution.
Overall, while the fashion industry's impact on the environment is well-documented, it is important to recognise the direct health risks it poses to workers, farmers, and consumers through water contamination, the release of microplastics, unsafe working conditions, and the indirect consequences of environmental degradation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the fashion industry is not the most polluting industry. While it is often cited as the second most polluting industry, there is no research or data to support this claim. However, it is one of the most polluting industries, responsible for significant environmental damage.
The fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, has a significant environmental impact due to several factors:
- Greenhouse gas emissions: The industry is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions, equivalent to the emissions generated by the European Union.
- Water usage and pollution: It is the second-biggest consumer of water, with high water requirements for textile production and dyeing processes. The industry is responsible for 20% of global industrial water pollution, with chemicals and synthetic microfibers contaminating water sources.
- Waste generation: Around 85% of textiles end up in landfills, contributing to massive textile waste. Less than 1% of clothing is recycled to make new garments.
- Energy consumption: The production processes are energy-intensive, contributing to air pollution and climate change.
- Chemical usage: The industry uses a large number of chemicals for dyeing and finishing, which pollute water sources and harm local ecosystems.
There are several ways the fashion industry can become more sustainable:
- Slow fashion: This movement advocates for reducing excessive production, simplifying supply chains, and promoting mindful consumption. It encourages longer-lasting, high-quality garments and the reuse and recycling of clothing.
- Sustainable business models: Companies can integrate sustainability principles into their strategies, such as H&M's garment collection scheme and Patagonia's use of recycled polyester.
- Eco-friendly materials: Using primarily eco-friendly and biodegradable materials can reduce environmental impact.
- Reducing waste: Minimizing textile waste and increasing recycling can help achieve a circular economy.
- Improving energy and water efficiency: Optimizing production processes and reducing water consumption can lower the industry's environmental footprint.
