fashion waste
New study shows fashion industry’s plastic waste problem
The fashion industry is responsible for millions of tonnes of plastic waste, much of which ends up polluting the environment due to improper management.
In short:
- A study by NC State University revealed that the fashion industry produced over 20 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2019.
- Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic were the largest contributors, accounting for 89% of this waste.
- Much of this plastic pollution occurs in lower-income countries where discarded clothes end up, exacerbating environmental issues.
Key quote:
"Much of the plastic waste that leaks into the environment comes from clothes that are thrown away, especially synthetic apparel. There is also waste from manufacturing, packaging and even from tyre abrasion during transport, as well as microplastics which get pulled into the water when we wash our clothes."
— Richard Venditti, professor of paper science and engineering at NC State
Why this matters:
This isn't just about the eyesore of a landfill; these microplastics are seeping into our water, soil, and ultimately, our food chain. Read more: California governor vetoes bill that would require microplastic filters on washing machines.
Is fungus fabric really taking off?
Despite growing interest, biodegradable materials like mycelium leather face challenges in significantly reducing fashion waste due to scalability and overproduction issues.
In short:
- The fashion industry generates an estimated 92 million tons of waste annually, largely from polyester and cotton fabrics.
- Innovative materials like mycelium leather are being developed but struggle to scale up due to financial and production challenges.
- Experts argue that reducing overall production is essential to addressing the environmental impact of fashion.
Key quote:
“I genuinely think the biggest solution isn’t the easy one because it’s the one that requires these large fashion companies to make significantly less money. It’s just to make less stuff and to pay more for that stuff and to look after what we have.”
— Monica Buchan-Ng, head of knowledge exchange at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion
Why this matters:
Biodegradable fabrics have the potential to lessen environmental damage, but without addressing the root issue of overproduction, the fashion industry's significant waste problem will persist. Overproduction is a deeply ingrained issue, driven by fast fashion's relentless cycle of new trends and disposable clothing. Even if mycelium leather were to be produced at scale, the industry's wasteful practices need to be addressed to see a meaningful reduction in waste. Sustainable materials alone cannot solve the problem if the overarching consumption patterns remain unchanged.
