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The Environmental Impact of Clothing Production and The Role of Sustainable Fashion

The fashion industry significantly impacts the environment through high water consumption and pollution, with cotton production requiring 2,700 liters of water for a single T-shirt and textile dyeing contributing to 20% of global industrial water pollution. Additionally, synthetic fibers like polyester release microplastics into the environment, harming marine ecosystems. A sustainable approach, including upcycling and promoting secondhand fashion, can reduce these impacts and foster a circular economy in the industry.

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40 views1 page

The Environmental Impact of Clothing Production and The Role of Sustainable Fashion

The fashion industry significantly impacts the environment through high water consumption and pollution, with cotton production requiring 2,700 liters of water for a single T-shirt and textile dyeing contributing to 20% of global industrial water pollution. Additionally, synthetic fibers like polyester release microplastics into the environment, harming marine ecosystems. A sustainable approach, including upcycling and promoting secondhand fashion, can reduce these impacts and foster a circular economy in the industry.

Uploaded by

mohammedabulqais8
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The Environmental Impact of Clothing Production and the Role of Sustainable Fashion

The fashion industry has a profound environmental impact, particularly concerning water
consumption and pollution. The production of a single cotton T-shirt requires approximately
2,700 liters of water, an amount sufficient for one person’s drinking needs for 2.5 years (World
Resources Institute, 2017). Cotton farming, which supplies much of the raw material for
clothing, is highly water-intensive, with irrigation often depleting freshwater sources.
Additionally, textile dyeing and finishing processes contribute to 20% of global industrial water
pollution, releasing toxic chemicals into rivers and lakes (European Environment Agency, 2019).

Beyond water usage, synthetic fibers such as polyester, commonly used in fast fashion, pose
another environmental challenge. These fabrics shed microplastics when washed, which accounts
for 35% of primary microplastics released into the environment (International Union for
Conservation of Nature, 2017). These particles infiltrate oceans and marine ecosystems, causing
harm to wildlife and, ultimately, the food chain.

A sustainable business model that focuses on collecting, cleaning, and upcycling used clothing
can significantly reduce these environmental impacts. Extending the lifespan of garments
minimizes the demand for new production, conserving water and reducing pollution. Moreover,
promoting secondhand fashion can help decrease textile waste, which accounts for 92 million
tons of landfill waste annually (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017).

By encouraging consumers to purchase pre-loved clothing, businesses can foster a more


sustainable industry while addressing the ecological damage caused by fast fashion. A shift
toward a circular economy—where clothes are reused and repurposed instead of discarded—can
play a crucial role in mitigating the environmental crisis driven by the fashion sector.

References

European Environment Agency. (2019). Textile and fashion industry’s impact on water
resources. Retrieved from [Link]

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2017). A new textiles economy: Redesigning fashion’s


future. Retrieved from [Link]

International Union for Conservation of Nature. (2017). Primary microplastics in the


oceans. Retrieved from [Link]

World Resources Institute. (2017). Apparel industry’s environmental impact in 6


graphics. Retrieved from [Link]

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