Fashion trends have trapped most people for many years. These trends have had a significant impact on environmental, economic, and social factors. The good thing is that people are now coming to terms with the need to address this crisis through sustainable & ethical clothing. That said, this article outlines some notable facts about sustainable fashion today.
Most Clothes End Up in Landfills
Do you know that more than three-fifths of all clothes produced today end up in landfills? This means that only a meager one-fifth is worn or stored in our closets. Even though some of these clothes are donated or re-used, this trend is quite startling. In light of this, repurposing or recycling used clothes might be a better idea than simply giving them away.
Recyclables Are Used to Produce Clothes
The need to embrace sustainable living in fashion design is becoming popular by the day. Both fabric manufacturers and fashion designers go to great lengths trying to upcycle recyclables into the fashion industry. This is evidenced by the contribution of a renowned fashion designer, Patagonia, who has made designer pieces from plastic bottles.
Carbon Emission From Clothing Is Alarming
Carbon emissions, or global warming, are a global problem. It is worth noting that these emissions stem from every country with textile industry, which is quite significant. In the UK alone, it is estimated that carbon emissions from discarded clothes match those produced by cars driven for close to 6,000 miles. On the other hand, there are more than 25 million pounds of clothes being tossed away in the US, which is quite alarming.
It Takes More Than 700 Gallons to Produce a T-Shirt
Fabric products require lots of water. From the water irrigated on cotton to the volumes used to wash cotton, it is estimated that a single tee can be produced with more than 700 gallons. This is to say that 1,320 gallons of water are used to wash or produce a pound of cotton.
Sustainable clothing is undoubtedly one of the best ways to reduce waste in the fashion industry. However, while it might be tempting to have many options in your cabinet, it is advisable to ensure that you stick to quality over quality.