Why Shop Sustainably?
Climate Change is a Problem
CO2 emissions and global temperatures have been rising for decades, as indicated by the graphs below.
Fashion accounts for 6.7% of global carbon emissions.
This represents a greater percentage than international flights and ocean shipping combined.
The 1.3 trillion dollar clothing industry accounts for 6.7% of global carbon emissions. In additional to its contribution to climate change, the fashion industry also produces approximately 40 million tons of textile waste annually.
Main Contributing Factors to Climate Change within the Fashion Industry:
As evidenced above, raw materials make up the largest portion of contributing factors to global climate change within the fashion industry.
The Primary Raw Material Used in Clothing Production is Oil.
Most of the world's clothing is made from plastic-based fibers and derived from oil. While plastic-based fibers do not use agricultural land or water to produce, they stem from a non-renewable resource, and are extremely energy intensive.
This includes polyster, nylon, acrylic, and elastane. Polyester makes up a majority of clothing, at 50-55% of all clothing produced being comprised of polyester predominantly. The spread of polyester has accelerated through fast fashion because it is cheaper to produce than other fabrics.
Plant-based fibers include those dervied from cotton and wood.
Traditional Plant-Based Fibers Can Be Water and Chemical Intensive.
Non-organic cotton requires a large amount of pesticides and fertilizers to grow. Viscose, a wood-based fiber, releases highly toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
The most sustainable fabrics include flax, hemp, and jute which require very little water and fertilizer. They are also grown on land that is otherwise unsuitable for food production.
Manufacturing involves transforming raw materials, such as polyester or cotton, into completed goods
Manufacturing is an Energy-Intensive and Chemical-Intensive Process
The main countries of production - including India, China, and Bangladesh - utilize coal and natural gas as energy sources.
Understanding the Environmental Impact of Each Step in Apparel Production
The preparation of yarn and fabric accounts for approximately 6% and 8% of carbon emissions, respectively.
Dyeing stands out as the process with the highest carbon footprint, contributing to 15% of total emissions due to the energy needed to heat vast quantities of water.
The assembly phase, which includes cutting the fabric, stitching parts together, and attaching accessories like zippers and buttons, contributes an additional 4% to the carbon emissions.
Historically, fashion houses release two collections per year, Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter
Fast Fashion's Acceleration:
Increased Collections, Declining Garment Lifespan & Quality, and Subsequent Environmental Challenges
Fast fashion has accelerated rapidly - with Zara introducing 24 collections per year and H&M offering 12-16 collections per year.
Garment prices fall in the U.S., year after year. This leads consumers to treat clothing as disposable and keep garments for half as long.
Current technology doesn't allow for mass garment recycling. It is estimated that for every five garments produced, three end up landfilled or incinerated each year.
Choose organic or recycled materials which have lower carbon emissions impact
Look for renewable energy, low-chemical, or low-dyeing processes
Select high-quality garments that will last longer, so we can consume less
