Five Ways To Reduce Waste In Fashion Industry
The fashion industry is leaving an increasingly heavy toll on the planet, contributing to pollution, climate change, and excessive resource consumption. In Chile’s Atacama Desert, mountains of discarded clothes reportedly reached heights visible from space. In Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, textile dyes turned a river black, while synthetic fibres have been found in fish in the English Channel.
The industry generates up to 8 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and every second, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothing is incinerated or dumped into landfills, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. However, experts suggest several ways to minimize waste and reduce environmental harm.
1. Embrace Circular Fashion
The current linear model of fast fashion leads to excessive waste. Many clothes are cheaply produced, worn briefly, and discarded. To counter this, the industry must reduce production volumes and adopt circular business models. This involves designing durable garments, using sustainable fabrics, and improving recycling systems to keep clothes and materials in use for longer.
2. Improve Fabric Recycling
Only 1 per cent of textile fibres used in new clothing come from recycled textiles, reports Textile Exchange. To address this, municipalities can invest in textile waste collection infrastructure, while governments can introduce extended producer responsibility programmes, making manufacturers accountable for garment disposal. Brands can also design clothing that is easier to recycle by using reusable fabrics and avoiding harmful chemicals.
3. Eliminate Hazardous Chemicals
More than 15,000 chemicals are used in textile production, some of which persist in the environment for decades and hinder garment recycling. Governments must regulate chemical use, while brands should adopt green and sustainable chemistry. Additionally, research on microfibre shedding and filtration in washing machines and wastewater treatment is crucial to mitigating environmental damage.
4. Shift Consumer Mindsets
Fast fashion thrives on aggressive marketing that promotes excessive consumption. Between 2000 and 2015, global clothing production doubled while the number of times garments were worn decreased by 36 per cent, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. To reverse this trend, brands, media, and influencers must promote sustainable consumption and longevity in fashion. Governments can also mandate transparency about the environmental impact of clothing production to help consumers make informed choices.
5. Shop Less, Shop Sustainably
While systemic change is necessary, consumers also play a role. Shopping from one’s own wardrobe, repairing clothes, renting for special occasions, and buying second-hand are effective ways to reduce waste. When purchasing new items, opting for sustainable brands and high-quality garments ensures longer-lasting wear.
“The good news is that it’s not too late to build a more circular, sustainable fashion sector,” says Elisa Tonda, Chief of the Resources and Markets Branch at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). “But we need collective action to transform the industry into a force for environmental good.”
