Fast fashion landfills: statistics of the clothing industry

When I was growing up, back in the 70’s, spending the long summers at my grandparents farm, things were so different. It was the end of the dictator Franco’s time but people were still suffering the consequences. We had all the food we wanted thanks to our land but everybody was used to making sure than nothing went to waste. We all had the one dress for the special occasions and just the necessary clothes for everyday use. When the clothes got a hole in them, my granny would cut a piece from one of the old pieces she had and patch them up so that they could be still used. When they were too old to be worn, she pulled out everything that could be used ( buttons, zips etc.) and the rest would be cut into bits to use as something else or to make patches. There were no clothes landfills back then. Now we have more clothes that we can wear and we get rid of them, not because they are too old, but because they are out of fashion. New fashions come and go so fast  and with them the landfills grow bigger faster. I inherited some of the zest I have for recycling from what I saw while growing up. I don’t patch up our clothes but I do try to recycle as much as possible, although that is still nowhere near the extent to which my grandparents did it.
Reading an article by earth.org about clothes waste I was shocked about some statistics:

1. 92 million tonnes of textiles waste is produced every year 

Of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tonnes end up in landfills. 

2. The apparel industry’s global emissions will increase by 50% by 2030

If nothing changes the industry’s global emissions will double by the end of the decade.

3. The number of times a garment is worn has declined by around 36% in 15 years

4. The fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global waste water

Dyeing and finishing – the processes by which colour and other chemicals are applied to fabrics – are responsible for 3% of global CO2 emissions as well as over 20% of global water pollution. 

5. It takes 20,000 litres of water to produce one kilogram of cotton

Besides being a huge source of water pollution, fast fashion also contributes to massive quantities of water being wasted every day. 

6. $500 billion is lost each year because of under-wearing and failure to recycle clothes

The worst aspect of our reckless thrown-away culture is that the vast majority of clothes being tossed each year is not recycled.  Much of the problem comes down to the materials the clothes are made from and inadequate technologies to recycle them. 

7. Nearly 10% of microplastics dispersed in the ocean each year come from textiles

8. 2.6 million tonnes of returned clothes ended up in landfills in 2020 in the US alone

Most of the items returned to retailers from consumers end up in landfill. This is mainly because it costs more to the company to put them back in circulation than to get rid of them. 

9. Fast fashion brands are producing twice the amount of clothes today than in 2000

I would like Fitz & Willow to help make a bit of a difference by using materials that don’t use chemicals and therefore don’t pollute the environment, materials that use resources carefully (organic cotton crops needs much less water) and that are also ethically produced. We make all our designs and we partner with print-on-demand (POD) companies, which means that none of our clothes are printed until the order is placed, helping to reduce theenvironmental impact. This approach, though it might take a bit longer to reach you, significantly reduces overproduction.

The statistics surrounding the fashion industry's environmental impact are staggering. Shockingly, only 20% of textiles are collected for reuse or recycling on a global scale, leaving much to be desired in terms of sustainable practices.

One of the most pressing concerns is the prevalence of synthetic materials in clothing. Nearly 60% of all clothing material is made from plastic, exacerbating the problem of microplastics and pollution. 

 Thoughtful purchasing decisions help to shape a more sustainable future—one where overproduction gives way to purposeful design, and waste is replaced by responsible consumption.

Style and sustainability can coexist. So, as you make your next fashion choice, consider the impact your decision can have. Embrace the shift towards on-demand, purposeful production, and join the movement for a more sustainable and mindful approach to fashion. Your wardrobe and the planet will thank you.