Clothing items are not intentionally crafted to biodegrade, which will result a long-lasting presence of textile waste in the landfills of the planet.

This is the reason why fashion industry has an alarming impact on the environment, considering that it produces an average of 35 billion tons of garments each year, of which 75% is partially discarded during the production phase, and then at a post-consumer level. (Castro, 2021)

Research demonstrates how in 2018 the fashion system emitted 2.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 4% of the global emissions. (McKinsey & Company, 2020)
These data suggests that the planet and the current system are unable to naturally dispose the wastage, and so the safeguard of the planet becomes part of the “Four Pillars of Sustainability”. 

The continuous demand from consumers led companies to rely on usage of material with questionable origins, unsustainable supply chains that exploit low-cost labor and environmental consequences. (Castro, 2021)

Even fibers like cotton and viscose that might be considered natural, actually hide problems for the wellbeing of the planet, such as abundant usage of chemicals and pesticides to speed up natural processes of plants, deforestation, discharge of contaminated water into the river ecosystem which all together accelerates the fear of global warming. (Rimarcikova, 2020)

The resources on the planet are limited, and therefore it is necessary to transition to systems that promote responsible choices with the collective support of governments, industries and consumers.

Therefore in 2015 the UN implemented Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), urging the 193 state members to respond to the environmental and social problems by 2030. 

As mentioned in the 12 SDG, to attain improvements regards a sustainable consumption and production, the industry has to shift toward renewable practices and adopt a circular economy.
A circular economy aims to take in account the waste and pollution from the initial concept; reducing the usage of microfibres, put more emphasis of material recycling, and restoration of natural systems with the aim of replenishing the planets’ resources. (Gwilt, 2020)

This can be accomplished by encouraging consumer’s education on a garment care practices, in order to reduce energy and water consumption, finding alternative usage such as alteration and repair skills to mitigate more waste destined for landfill disposal. (Gwilt, 2020)

Corporation should focus on building transparent supply chains and held accountable for the involvement into ecologically harmful activities. Simultaneously, government should restrict legislations driven by the shared commitment to preserve the planet.

Citation

McKinsey & Company, 2020. Fashion On Climate.

Rimarcikova, K., 2020. Planet Earth & Fashion [lecture] (2-10-2020).

Gwilt, A., 2020. A practical guide to sustainable fashion. London: Bloomsbury Visual Arts.

Castro, O. D., 2021. Loved Clothes Last. London: Penguin Books Ltd.