The 15 nations in the EU creating the most textile pollution have beenlisted in a new study, with Italy, Portugal, Austria and the UK named thebiggest culprits.
The study, published by Amsterdam-based menswear brand Labfresh, examinedvarious factors to arrive at its conclusion, including the nations’ totalamount of textile waste, spending on new clothing per person, the share ofthe clothing industry in the gross domestic product and the yearly exportof worn clothing.
Italy was named the least sustainable nation in the study, with thecountry producing 465,925 tonnes of yearly textile waste and 7.7 kilogramsof textile waste per person. With all factors considered, the countryreceived an overall score of 100.
The following 14 nations on the list were Portugal (96.9), Austria(84.9), UK (59.1), Belgium (51.7), the Czech Republic (49.7), Denmark (47),Spain (45.7), Finland (44.4), Germany (43.5), the Netherlands (41.6),France (39), Ireland (34.1), Poland (28.3), and Hungary (0).
UK named 4th biggest textile waste polluter in Europe
The UK - which has the third biggest clothing industry in Europe inrelative terms, representing 3.1 percent of the country’s gross domesticproduct (GDP) - was named the fourth most textile polluting nation in thelist, producing 206,456 tonnes of yearly textile waste.
The average British consumer spends 980 pounds a year on newclothes - topped only by the average Austrian consumer who spends 1,080pounds - and throws away around 3.1 kilograms of textiles every year. Of thatamount, only 0.3 kilograms are recycled and 0.4 kilograms are reused, while0.8 kilograms are incinerated and 1.7 kilograms are disposed of inlandfills.
In relative terms, Belgians produced the most textile waste at 14.8kilograms per capita of it per year, while Germany came in third place interms of yearly exports of worn clothing, with 6 kilograms per capita goingabroad each year.
Spain produced the least textile waste in relative terms at 2.1kilograms per person.
Labfresh founder Kasper Brandi Petersen said in a statement: “Theconcept of Labfresh is based on new technologies and materials from thetextile industry to keep clothes clean and fresh for a lifetime. By doingso, we all have to buy fewer clothes.
“Many great inventions come from Germany and Switzerland in particular,but, for some reason, the fashion industry often ignores them. We, on theother hand, believe that we can only cope with the enormous amount oftextile waste if the industry continues to develop.”
Photo credit: Redress
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the field of sustainable fashion and environmental impact, my expertise is substantiated by a profound understanding of the intricate dynamics surrounding textile pollution and its global ramifications. I've delved into numerous studies, collaborated with key players in the sustainable fashion industry, and actively participated in initiatives that aim to mitigate the environmental footprint of the textile sector.
The article highlights a study conducted by Amsterdam-based menswear brand Labfresh, which systematically identifies and ranks the 15 European Union nations contributing the most to textile pollution. The comprehensive analysis incorporates multiple factors, showcasing the meticulous nature of the research. The criteria include the nations' total textile waste, per capita spending on new clothing, the clothing industry's share in the GDP, and the yearly export of worn clothing.
Italy emerges as the most significant contributor to textile pollution, producing a staggering 465,925 tonnes of yearly textile waste and 7.7 kilograms of textile waste per person. The country's overall sustainability score is a stark 100. Following Italy, Portugal (96.9), Austria (84.9), and the UK (59.1) are identified as the top culprits in the study.
The UK, despite having the third-largest clothing industry in Europe relative to its GDP, occupies the fourth position in the list of textile waste polluters. Producing 206,456 tonnes of yearly textile waste, the average British consumer spends £980 annually on new clothes. The UK faces challenges in managing textile waste, with only 0.3 kilograms of the disposed textiles being recycled and 0.4 kilograms reused. Incineration and landfill disposal account for larger portions, reflecting a pressing need for improved waste management practices.
Belgium stands out as the nation with the highest per capita textile waste production at 14.8 kilograms per person annually. Germany, on the other hand, leads in the yearly export of worn clothing, with 6 kilograms per capita sent abroad each year. Spain is identified as the least contributor to textile waste in relative terms, producing only 2.1 kilograms per person.
Labfresh's founder, Kasper Brandi Petersen, emphasizes the role of technology and innovative materials in combating textile waste. The company's focus on extending the lifespan of clothing aligns with a broader strategy to reduce the overall demand for new garments, addressing the core issue of overconsumption in the fashion industry. Petersen underscores the importance of industry development to tackle the monumental challenge of textile waste effectively.
