The concept of textile and fashion industry is increasingly seen as disposable. Fast fashion businesses such as Zara, H&M, and Forever21 have grown in popularity due to our collective desire for novelty and instant pleasure. From 2000 to 2014, the fashion sector doubled the volume of apparel produced. However, what does this imply for the environment as a whole?
Impact of Fashion Industry on Environment:-
Water Pollution:
Every day, the textile sector consumes millions of gallons of water. That\’s because it takes 200 liters of water to make 1 kg of cloth, including washing the fiber, bleaching, dyeing, and finally cleaning the completed product. The issue isn\’t with the increased usage.
However, it is with the fact that wastewaters are frequently not treated to eliminate pollutants before being released into the environment. As a result, according to some research, textile treatment and fabric dyeing manufacturers in India are responsible for 20% of all freshwater pollution.
The toxicity of aquatic life is caused by the large volumes of water and waste discharged in the textile manufacturing process. Formaldehyde, chlorine, and heavy metals are disposed of in water bodies and absorbed by many individuals in their regular activities.
Disposal of Solid Waste:
Every year, the average family in affluent countries discards at least 30kg of used clothing. Only 15% of discarded textiles get repurposed or donated. But since sustainable clothing suppliers in India that process old clothing to renew it are still rare, recycled clothing is not very popular. The leftover debris, particularly synthetic materials used in textiles, is a significant load on our landfills; synthetic cloth fibers typically contain polymers, which take over 200 years to degrade. When we wash a synthetic garment, around 1900 microfibers get released into the water, eventually ending in the oceans. Almost 200,000 tonnes of plastic microfibers collect in seas consumed by marine life, introducing plastic into our food chain every year.
Microfibers:
Synthetic materials are the principal sources of plastic microfibers in our oceans. These synthetic materials account for approximately 35 percent of all micro plastics. To reduce costs even further, manufacturers use materials of poor quality. Many of the fibers, for example, are made of polyester, which is manufactured of plastic and emits considerably more carbon dioxide than cotton.
Furthermore, plastic does not disintegrate in the water until it has been there for a long time. When plastic degrades, it produces a poisonous chemical that negatively influences marine ecosystems. Because these plastic microfibers can\’t be washed away, they wind up in the human food chain via aquatic life, producing a slew of health problems. They reach our ocean in various ways, the most prevalent of which is our use of the washing machine. Though it is obvious that the washing machine has become an indispensable tool in our homes, it is crucial to wash full loads whenever feasible to save water.
Impact on Society:
Toxic fashion impacts everyone involved in the fabric printing services in India, including the workers. Women in underdeveloped economies are the ones who suffer the most. Approximately 80% of clothing is produced by women aged 18 to 24, particularly in low-income nations where women have limited access to rights. In 2018, the US Department of Labor discovered forced and child labor in Argentina, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Turkey in the fashion sector. Brazil, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other nations. Due to cheap labor, tax benefits, and lax environmental, operation, and labor rules.
According to The True Cost documentary, the hazardous fashion business is the most labor-intensive industry on the planet, with one out of every six people working in some aspect of the garment\’s life cycle. Garment workers are required to work up to 14-16 hours every day, seven days a week, for a total of 96 hours per week. They are frequently required to work until 2-3 a.m. numerous days a week during peak seasons to accommodate demand, primarily without receiving extra pay.
Some Tips:-
So what can you do to avoid or at least lessen the environmental impact of your fashion purchases? Here are seven tips to help you shop in a more environmentally friendly manner.
Purchase fewer items:
Check your closet to see how many items you have that you rarely wear. If you have a lot of goods you don\’t wear, like most people, try to appreciate your old outfits again rather than following the latest trends.
Purchase previously owned items:
Secondhand stores, flea markets, and vintage online marketplaces are all worth exploring when going on a buying binge. Not only that, but you can frequently locate higher-quality clothing that you otherwise would not be able to buy.
Prioritize quality over quantity:
If you want to try something new, invest in high-quality, timeless classics to ensure that your clothes stay longer. Fair Fashion labels are particularly well suited because their collections are often better manufactured, last longer than fast fashion, and are produced responsibly.
Instead of polyester, use cotton:
Pay attention to the fabric when purchasing clothing. Here\’s a general rule: cotton is preferable to polyester. Cotton apparel is typically more eco-friendly because it is biodegradable. Cotton clothing is also gentler on the skin.
Rather than buying branded clothing, opt for Fair Fashion:
Compared to apparel from low-cost chains, Fair Fashion can appear to be costly. However, when compared to major brands, their pricing is generally comparable. As a result, it is preferable to invest in sustainable clothes rather than branded items, frequently produced under the same problematic conditions as fast fashion clothing.
Conclusion
Currently, the best garment manufacturers in India emits more carbon annually than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. If the industry persists on its current path within a decade, greenhouse gas emissions are predicted to rise by 50%. The next phases are easy to understand since we can connect the dots and generate solutions by studying the core causes of the problem. The article suggested a few alternatives, including purchasing fast fashion labels with care and advocating reform.
You are not the only one here who is unsure about which brands to support. Studying brands before buying garments can help you become a more informed shopper and push your selections toward your environmental ideals. The fashion industry has significantly harmed our environment. We may, however, finally reduce climate change if we begin to take proactive efforts toward campaigning for a green-friendly fashion sector and becoming environmentally conscious consumers.