Fashion footprint: understanding textile waste
Tuesday 1st October 2024
Sprucing up a wardrobe shouldn’t come at a cost to the planet’s health
The UK is a nation of shoppers. According to Government figures, the UK retail sector’s economic output was £112.8 billion in 2023, despite cost-of-living fears.
A large proportion of our shopping now takes place online – around 21% according to Forbes – and this has made it easy to enjoy a whole new wardrobe with just a few clicks.
But as the fashion industry grows, so too does its environmental impact. Understanding the scope of textile waste and its implications is crucial for UK fashion businesses. Not only can it help fashion businesses stay ahead in a competitive market, but it’s also vital in the broader context of the global effort to improve sustainability.
Let’s take a closer look at the issues surrounding textile waste, and what your business can do to reduce its fashion footprint.
The scale of textile waste
According to Clothes Aid, the UK disposes of around 350,000 tonnes of clothing every single year, highlighting that textile waste is a mounting problem.
Much of this waste ends up in landfills, where it can take decades, if not centuries, to completely decompose. Not to mention that the production of textiles is a resource-intensive industry. In fact, the European Parliament reports that textile production is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and almost a fifth of wastewater.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports that a single cotton t-shirt can require up to 2,700 litres of water to produce, which is equivalent to the average person’s drinking water for two and a half years.
Why tackle textile waste?
As well as the obvious environmental benefits to reducing textile waste, there is also a strong business case for it. Consumers are increasingly looking for brands that align with their values, and sustainability is chief among these.
A survey by Deloitte found that more than two thirds (67%) of UK consumers consider environmental impact when making a purchase, meaning green actions can give your business a competitive edge.
Adopting sustainable practices can also lead to cost savings in the long term, as implementing a circular economy model means materials are reused and recycled rather than wasted. This can reduce the need for raw materials and lower production costs.
How to reduce textile waste
Adopting circular economy principles
Keeping materials in use for as long as possible is the cornerstone of circular economy ideology, and this is particularly relevant to the fashion industry. Textile businesses should aim to design products that are easier to repair, recycle, or upcycle. You may also encourage customers to return old items for recycling or reuse rather than throwing them away, offering incentives like cashback or discounts.
Implementing sustainable production practices
Reducing waste begins during production, and businesses can minimise textile waste by optimising patterns to reduce offcuts, using sustainable materials, and introducing less water- and energy-intensive processes. It’s also crucial to partner with suppliers who share these values.
Promoting responsible consumption
Another way to significantly reduce the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills is to educate consumers about the impact of textile waste. This might include offering repair services, encouraging clothing swaps, and promoting second-hand options.
Engaging in recycling initiatives
Setting up takeback schemes allows customers to return old garments for recycling and repurposing. This is just one example of how getting involved in recycling organisations, technology, and initiatives like the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP) can reduce the environmental impact of clothing across its lifecycle.
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