Some aspects of contemporary living are well-known to cause environmental harm, for example, travelling internationally, using throwaway plastic goods, and even commuting to and from work. However, the effects on our clothing are less evident. On the one hand, models in sparkling outfits sashay down the runway to display the latest trends. On the other hand, the public is entirely unaware of the harmful environmental effect of the glossy fashion industry? Without more explanation, the truth may be difficult to comprehend.
As a result, we will take a long way around and get down to the nitty-gritty of the situation. Your closet contributes significantly to the rising levels of pollution in the environment. The ‘fast fashion’ movement has boosted the garment sector, but it has had a negative impact on the environment. Every year, about 20 garments are produced each individual, according to estimates. If you are also looking to write a dissertation on this topic, you can find best dissertation writing services UK for your reports.
Did You Know?
The rising market for low-cost products and new trends is putting a toll on the environment as more people buy garments throughout the world. People have bought sixty percent more clothes in 2014 than they did in 2000 on average. Fashion production contributes ten percent of global carbon emissions, depletes water supplies, and pollutes rivers and streams. Furthermore, eighty-five of all textiles are discarded each year. Furthermore, washing some types of clothing releases hundreds of pieces of plastic into the water.
Since 2000, clothing production has approximately doubled. Fashion houses in Europe increased their annual collection offerings from two in 2000 to five in 2011. Some companies go even further. Zara releases around twenty-four collections every year, whereas H&M releases twelve to sixteen. A large portion of this apparel is discarded in landfills. Every second, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of garments is burnt or thrown in a landfill.
Moreover, each year, up to eighty-five percent of textiles are discarded in landfills. Frankly speaking, this amount will be sufficient to fill up harbors and dams each year. Meanwhile, clothes washing releases 500,000 tonnes of microfibers into the ocean each year, equivalent to fifty billion plastic bottles. Polyester, a material used in an estimated sixty percent of clothing, is one of such fibres. Polyester production emits two to three times the amount of carbon dioxide as cotton production, and polyester does not degrade in the ocean.
According to a 2017 research from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the washing of synthetic fabrics like polyester is responsible for thirty-five percent of all microplastics in the ocean. Microplastics are very minute particles of plastic that never biodegrade.
How Is The Apparel Industry Affecting The Environment?
UNEP estimates that it takes 3,781 liters of water to manufacture a pair of jeans. Shocking. Right? From the manufacturing of the cotton through the transport of the finished product to the shop it consumes and wastes a lot of water. This amounts to about 33.4 kilos of carbon equivalent emissions. The fashion business utilizes ninety-three billion cubic meters of water each year, which is enough to fulfil the requirements of five million people. Fabric dyeing and treatment accounts for around twenty percent of global wastewater. Eighty-seven percent of the total fiber input used in garments is burned or disposed of in landfills.
More than all international flights and marine transportation combined, the fashion sector is responsible for ten percent of yearly global carbon emissions. By 2030, the fashion industry’s greenhouse gas emissions will have increased by more than fifty percent at this rate. Let’s take a look at the aspects that are disturbing our environment inside out:
Apparel Industry Has Compromised The Waters
The textile business has a far-reaching influence that extends beyond emissions. Waterways are polluted by dyes used in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, when polyester clothing is cleaned in the washing machine, plastic microfibers are released, which end up in the aquatic food chain and drinking water. As a result, contamination of the environment is caused by effluent water, which has an elevated pH, bleaches, de-framers, and other hazardous compounds.
Aside from pollution, the garment industry’s expansion has resulted in a lack of water. Do you realize that a cotton shirt uses over 2,700 liters of water to make it? This is roughly the same amount of water that a single human needs for two years or more. You will be even more surprised to learn that the Aral Sea in Central Asia has nearly vanished as a result of excessive cotton shirt production.
Global Warming Has Surged Drastically
Each year, the textile industry produces 1.2 billion tones of greenhouse gas. Polyesters, for example, are known to release more greenhouse gases than natural fibers due to their larger carbon footprint. Do you know what the wet treatment method does to the textiles? During the process, a lot of fossil fuels are used up. As a result, acidification, natural resource depletion, and global warming occur.
We Are Killing Our Forests
The textile business is responsible for deforestation all around the world. The resources used to make wood-based textiles such as modal, rayon, and viscose need the cutting of trees. Millions of trees are chopped down to meet the huge demands of the clothing industry, disrupting the flora and fauna balance. Indonesia, South America, and Africa are among the worst-affected regions. As you can see, the situation has deteriorated to a critical level. As a result, we must awaken from our slumber and take quick action.
How can we put a stop to this?
We have already reached a critical juncture here. Right? What could possibly be done in order to preserve our environment? As a result, we must act quickly. The clothing business, as well as the general public, must devise effective measures to address the current problems. Many firms are taking steps to alter the clothing production process. Let’s take a look at the ways that we can adopt in order to prevent all of this from happening:
We Can Use Eco-Friendly Clothes
The eco-friendly clothing is made of high-quality fabrics that are long-lasting. As a result, brands are paying more attention to the production process. The term “green apparel” is steadily gaining traction, and the situation is improving.
We Can Recycle/Reuse Our Clothes
The majority of businesses have teamed up to recycle clothing. H&M and Zara have joined the other thirty-three firms in committing to boost garment recycling by 2020. Reusable clothing, scraps, rags, and fibrous materials are being recycled as a result of environmental awareness campaigns. After that, the garments are treated and repurposed.
We Can Modify Our Machines And Equipment
The modification of current equipment will undoubtedly aid in the reduction of air pollution and the reduction of water use. Furthermore, trash generation will be reduced. Isolation of hot pipes and tank volume optimization are two examples of situations where branded firms should start. Bringing in sophisticated equipment will help improve the manufacturing process and allow for the elimination of defective machines.
So, you see, how fast fashion has exploited our environment so much over the past few years? The more clothes we consume and waste, the more of an impact it will leave on the environment. If you too want to write a dissertation on it, you can get best dissertation writing services UK anywhere.
