Since the Industrial Revolution, the textile and apparel industry has contributed to carbon footprint production. The textile and clothing industry continuously uses energy, water, and chemicals, due to frequent use of energy waste 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide are attributed to the fashion industry, surpassing the combined emissions from international travel and maritime transportation. One of the most polluting industries is the textile and apparel industry. For producing textiles and garments lengthy supply chains and energy-consuming production methods lead to the deterioration of textile waste in landfills or incineration causing hazardous chemical and GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions. Furthermore, it has been estimated that up to 20% of industrial wastewater pollution is caused by textile dyeing and finishing.
The textile industry consists of a long method of raw fiber from yarn to fabric weaving, knitting, dyeing, and finishing. apparel industry has its challenges from acquiring raw materials to producing finished goods. Typically, apparel manufacturing shifted to developing nations and was then exported to different countries leading to considerable releases of carbon dioxide.
Textile industry and climate change
The textile industry generates roughly 1.2 billion tons of CO2 equivalent, or nearly 10% of world GHG emissions due to energy-intensive production. By 2050, projections indicate that the fashion industry will contribute approximately 25% of the global carbon budget. Fast fashion’s rise and our lack of awareness about the environmental impact of each purchase often lead us to accumulate a vast collection of clothing, driven by the allure of unique attire for various occasions.
The main cause of CO2 emissions is the production of polyester, which may take up to 200 years to decompose completely. A single laundry for polyester garments can release up to 700,000 microplastic fibers into the surrounding waterways, thus increasing the chances of potentially entering the food chain. Growing awareness of the harmful impacts of virgin polyester has led brands like Patagonia and Polartec to acknowledge the urgency of recycled polyester in recent years. On the other hand, fashion retailers like Shein have comparatively weak product positioning, making it hard to promise the quality of the clothing. They are aware that the inability to wear substandard garments for an extended period would force consumers to purchase new apparel regular rate of production continues to be this frequent resulting in the emission of more carbon dioxide pollutants.
While our planet suffers notably as an aftermath of the fashion business, It generates an immense amount of textile waste each year which is 92 million tonnes, plenty enough to fill 1,700 Titanic-sized ships.
Carbon footprint and its Contribution in the process
There has been a rise of 23% in GHG from 2000-2015 because garments are worn for a shorter lead time. For Instance, the cultivation of cotton draws on a lot of safe water and pesticides that contain chemicals, whereas synthetic fiber production uses up non-renewable resources. Following this, plenty of steps are involved in making textiles, including spinning, weaving, dying, and finishing further adds to the release of CO2 emissions. It is estimated that 5.5 kg CO2e is emitted to produce one polyester t-shirt, compared to 2.1 kg CO2e for a cotton t-shirt.
Logistics further impacts the carbon footprint of apparel by distributing raw materials, trims, and other components necessary for production. The subsequent stages of sewing, cutting, and other manufacturing processes also require electrical energy, predominantly sourced from non-renewable energy. Besides that, significant lighting and climate control are essential ergonomically for maintaining optimal working conditions in manufacturing facilities. After the production of a garment has been completed it goes through a washing process which requires substantial water and heat, adding to energy consumption. Once the merchandise is produced, it needs to be packaged for shipping using materials such as cardboard boxes and plastic bags, leading to the generation of unwanted waste. Finally, freight flights, international shipping, and sales distribution result in further pollution and carbon emissions.
The worldwide clothing business produces approximately 100 billion garments annually. 92 million tons of solid refuse is generated simply because of overproduction. Only a handful of customers are cognizant of the negative ecological consequences of their aspiration to remain current with the newest fashions. By 2030, we expect the fashion industry’s negative climate impact to double. These potential dangers to nature exist both during and after production, as many clothing retailers frequently request manufacturers to burn items of clothing with slight defects or overproduced stock to maintain the high cost and limited availability of their offerings.
Crux
Studies show that individuals increasingly choose to discard clothes rather than donate them, signaling changes in how they handle waste. Less than half of clothing that is worn is gathered for reuse or recycling, while only 1% of old clothing is recycled into new garments since technologies that could enable clothes to be further recycled into virgin fibers are just starting to gain momentum.
Europeans acquire nearly 26 kilograms of garments annually and discard about 11 kilograms. Meanwhile, across America, the average consumer purchases approximately 37 kilograms of apparel each year and similarly disposes of it. Despite these similarities in consumer behavior, there is a significant distinction in how this apparel is managed: while surplus clothes from Europe can be exported beyond the EU, around 87% are incinerated or landfilled. In the United States, this practice contributes to an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste annually, highlighting a major environmental issue.
Author
Mishi Yadav is a committed student currently in 6th semester at NIFT Patna. Optimistic about adopting a sustainable lifestyle and feel inclined toward contributing to the environmental and long-term viability goals. With a deep sense of moral obligation, I aim to spread awareness and bring about constructive change, ensuring that my efforts help foster a safer world.
