Every one of us feels tempted to purchase in-trend fashion clothes or accessories. The fashion industry is a multi-billion sector but it is also one of the biggest contributors to environmental pollution.
After the oil industry, the fashion industry is responsible for major environmental pollution.
With the fashion industry growing at an alarming rate, the pollution caused by them is also growing.
While manufacturing any kind of garments, a lot of water is required. These waters are then mixed with chemicals and it is used to treat the garments.
This toxic water is then dumped in the environment causing water bodies like rivers, oceans, ponds and lakes to be polluted and contaminated with various toxic elements.
A few of the toxic elements which are present in this wastewater are arsenic, mercury and many more.
These toxins are harmful to human health and many get affected each year due to contaminated water.
Apart from producing toxic waste, the fashion industry also consumes huge tons of fresh water for manufacturing and dyeing purposes.
In this post, we will show you in a detailed manner how the fashion industry is impacting our environment.
The Global Fashion Market
Due to the rising population across the globe, the number of garments which are being manufactured on a daily basis has doubled since the early 2000s. It is estimated that more than 100 Billion Garments are manufactured every year.
The demand for shoes and clothes is rising with every passing year. Hence, with so much high demand, the fashion industry is growing at a rapid rate and is estimated to be worth 1.3 trillion dollars.
Young people within the age bracket of 23 to 36 are top purchasers of luxury fashion items as they are highlighted as 30% of the total market. due to income stability and they are at their peak spending age.
People of the present generation tend to discard their garments more frequently. The average number of times that a general garment is utilized and worn has reduced by a whopping 36%. This statistic clearly indicates that the amount of fabric waste generated has considerably increased in the past couple of years.
Resources Used In Production Of Fibres
It is a known fact that huge amounts of freshwater as much as 7,000 - 29,000 liters per 1 kg are needed to produce cotton. This actually leads to depletion of freshwater levels in our environment.
A huge amount of insecticides (24% of the world’s insecticides) are used in cotton farms to prevent pests from destroying the crops. Hence, excess insecticides are leading to soil and groundwater pollutants.
Pests destroy tonnes of cotton crops every year. In order to prevent it, 11 % of the worlds’ pesticides are used to grow cotton. This excessive use leads to soil pollution as well as water pollution.
To produce cotton, a lot of energy is required. Almost 98millionn tons of fuel is used to run tractors, electricity for processing plants, and many more.
Freshwater depletion is caused due to over-usage of it. To produce cotton, tonnes of freshwater is used. Annually 93 Billion Cubic Meters is used to produce fibres.
For fabric production, water and many chemicals are used to treat it. The excess wastewater which is intoxicated by chemicals is released into oceans, causing water contamination. Every year half a million tons of plastic microfibers are dumped in the ocean along with 1.2 Billion Tons of CO2.
Impact Of Different Fibers On Environment
Around 27 million tonnes of fibre is produced every year. It is estimated that 48 KWh per kg fiber energy is consumed. Production of 1 kg cotton requires 1,559 l of fresh water and due to this various freshwater bodies are exploited. 2.2 kg of CO2 per kg of cotton is emitted, hence leading to air pollution.
The fibre production for polyamide is estimated to be around 6.1 million tonnes with a total energy consumption of 160 kWh per kg fiber. Also, Polyamide consumes approximately 40 litres per kilogram and also emitted 8.3 kilogram of CO2 per kg of fibre.
Total fibre production while manufacturing polyester is estimated to be 54 million tonnes. Total energy consumption is recorded at 108 kWh per kg fibre as it consumes 21 litres per kg production. Close to 3.3 kg per kg fibre of CO2 is emitted while manufacturing Polyester.
To produce 1 kg fibre almost 17.0 kg of CO2 is emitted. Moreover 1.2 million tonnes of fibre is produced while formulating woolen products which consumes close to 120 kWh per kg fiber in total. Total CO2 emitted is estimated to be 17 kg per 1 kilogram of fiber and consumes 530 litres of freshwater per kg produced.
Environmental Cost Of Making A Cotton T-shirt And A Pair Of Jeans In Asia
Making a simple T-Shirt puts a lot of strain on the environment which most of the common people have no idea or awareness of. CO2 generated in T-shirt Production is estimated to be around 50%. To manufacture a T-Shirt close to 2.6 kg of CO2 is emitted with 12 m3 water scarcity experienced along with an aggregate 54 MJ energy consumption pattern.
Manufacturing jeans in Asia on the other hand is even more taxing on the environment. While initiating manufacturing jeans a total of 11.5 kg CO2 is emitted that gives rise to 55 m3 water scarcity and consumes close to 247 MJ of energy. CO2 generated in a pair of jeans production is estimated to be 57%.
The Generation of Waste
Every year a western family dispose of almost 30kg of clothes.
Due to overpopulation the issues related to waste management increased. Close to 73% of clothes are managed as waste by soughting to landfilling techniques in the form of burned or buried.
Only 12% of the clothes are allocated for the purpose of recycling. People should be made aware of the recycling process in general such that resources can be preserved.
The waste generated for new clothing is estimated to be below the mark of 1%. Greater measures should be enforced to maintain control.
The total waste generated on an annual basis is estimated to be around 92mn tonnes. People should be made aware of this figure to limit resource wastage.
Around 8 to 10% of Carbon Dioxide is emitted Globally considering the figures of every independent country. Enforcement of global lockdown helped to curb this issue.
Industrial Water Pollution contributes to upto 20% of the total water pollution experienced on a worldwide basis. Stern measures should be enforced to control this figure.
How Fur & Leather Production Harm The Environment
Exploitation of animals and the environment continue to haunt the present human society. Almost 40 pounds of feces is produced when skinning minks.
It is estimated that the Fur Dressing Industry is the leading Toxic Metal Pollutant within the human environment.
Production of leather affects the environment adversely. Close to 15,000 gallons of water waste is generated by chrome-tanning activities alone.
Chrome-tanning activities also generate a substantial amount of solid waste. Around 2,200 pounds of solid waste is extracted from leather production.
Leather tanning are known for generating large volumes of chrome shavings. The estimated figure is 800,000 tons.
Tips To Make Your Wardrobe More Eco-Friendly
We all should believe in the idea of a renewable and sustainable environment. The following tips should be incorporated in order to make your wardrobe more eco-friendly.
Considering the option of donation or giving it away to younger siblings and friends should always be encouraged.
It is preferable to purchase clothes that tend to last longer.
Try to upgrade your clothes by giving it a new design with the help of DIY strategies.
Make sure to purchase clothes that are formulated and manufactured by using sustainable fabric.
Purchasing local products reduces the impact and the strain caused on the environment.
Leather is not only taxing for the environment but also affects the lives of animals. Boycott the use of leather products.
Conclusion
These were some of the basic standards and measures that must be acknowledged by every photographer who wishes to click attractive images. For every photographer, the camera being used must fit the requirement of the artist concerned.
However, it is not necessarily that a camera with improved features can fulfill all the needs of the user. Based on your individual skills and expertise a camera should be purchased.
Moreover, it is essential that you explore all the settings and features installed in a camera so that more knowledge can be gained over an extended time period.
So be sure to incorporate all the standards mentioned above as they will elevate your photography skills in the long run. Seek consultancy from professionals to understand the different layers that are involved in the art of photography. Happy clicking!
Sources & References
- https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-clothing/animals-used-clothing-factsheets/wool-fur-leather-hazardous-environment/
- https://www.trustedclothes.com/blog/2019/09/03/how-to-find-environmentally-friendly-clothing-9-helpful-tips/
- https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/what-to-wear/a41158/how-to-be-sustainable-fashion/
- https://www.thefashionspot.com/style-trends/574675-eco-friendly-fashion/
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About The Author
Editor-in-Chief : Ishant Sharma
Currently working as an Editor in chief with Recommendit, he is managing all the ins and outs of the content management process and editorial operations. Having an experience of 8 years in the publishing/ e-solution industry, he manages a small freelancing team of fellow editors and has worked with several domains including academics, healthcare, lifestyle and technical writings. He is a stickler for accuracy and loves to read noir-fiction and binge-watch anthologies. Know more about Ishant
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