Globally, the fashion industry produces circa 100 billion garments each year. Each year, about 92 million tonnes of these textiles end up in landfills. To help visualise this, it roughly equates to a rubbish truck full of clothes being discarded every second. If current trends continue, this figure will rise to about 134 million tonnes annually by the end of this decade. earth.org
In an Irish context, we discard around 170,000 tonnes of textiles annually, a shocking average of about 35 kg per person when compared to the European average of just 12 kg. fabricofchange.ie
The Consequences for us?
The disposal of this vast amount of clothing has severe environmental repercussions for us all:
- Landfill Overload: A highly significant portion of all discarded textiles ends up in our landfills. In Ireland, textiles constitute about 9% of waste in general waste bins. mywaste.ie As these materials decompose, they release greenhouse gases like methane, contributing dangerously to climate change.
- Resource Depletion: Clothing manufacture consumes substantial amounts of our natural resources. The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water globally and is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions. This is higher than all the emissions from all international flights and maritime shipping combined. earth.org
- Pollution: Clothing production accounts for about 20% of global clean water pollution due to dyeing and finishing processes. europarl.europa.eu
Additionally, synthetic fibres take up to 200 years to decompose, in this time they leach harmful chemicals into our soil and groundwater. kleiderly.com
Fast fashion has clearly exacerbated the problem of clothing waste. It encourages overconsumption and disposability, leading consumers to purchase more and discard quicker after minimal use. The average number of times a garment is worn has decreased by a massive 36% over the past 15 years alone. earth.org
Facing into the Threat:
Mitigating the environmental impact of clothing waste requires a multifaceted approach:
- Choose Sustainable Fashion: We encourage Irish business to choose high-quality, durable garments that reduce the frequency of purchases and waste. Brands adopting ethical production methods and sustainable materials play a vital role in this shift.
- Implementing Circular Economy Practices: Purchase clothing with end-of-life considerations, such as recyclability and biodegradability, will minimise waste.
- Consumer Awareness and Education: Educate Irish business (that is our job) about the environmental consequences of their purchasing decisions will drive more mindful consumption. We want to empower organisations to make more, better, sustainable choices.
The escalating issue of clothing waste is a significant environmental challenge. By embracing sustainable practices, supporting ethical fashion, we can mitigate the adverse effects of clothing waste and work towards a better way.