by Maite Cezario, our wonderful intern!
About 85% of textiles go to waste each year. To put this into perspective, that's enough to fill the Sydney Harbour every year! Talk about dire. Textile waste has only been increasing in recent years, thanks in large part to the emergence of fast fashion, over-supply and changes in consumption habits. The average shopper now has52 seasons in a year, rather than the standard Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter - and this idea is reflected in huge growths in textile waste.
Between 2005-2010, textile waste increased by about 2 million tonnes per year in the United Kingdom. In comparison, in the United States every year about 26 billion pounds of textiles end up in landfills according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Normally when we want to get rid of unwanted clothes, we donate them. When the garment is not good enough to donate, it goes straight to the rubbish bin and then to the landfill.
Australians are the world’s second higher consumers of textiles and 3 out of 10 people admit to throwing out about 10 pieces in the past year. The growing amount of textile waste in the world and especially in Australia must be recognised and addressed.
Currently, there are ideas for solutions, such as the chemical separation of materials. This process separates products such as sheets, clothing, and towels into their individual raw materials. The recovered resources can either be reused in the textile industry or into other products such as plastic bottles.
This process is a great idea as it reduces the impact on the environment while also allowing the recovered materials in Australia to be available for use in Australian-manufactured products. Growing investments into solutions like these can further benefit and make a difference environmentally and economically for a country.
Thereare also things that you can do as an individual to help reduce your impact on textile waste - but stay tuned because we've got a whole 'nother blog post on that!
We hope this gave you a bit of insight into the current situation. We've developed a range of articles addressing the impacts of the fashion industry and what can be done, to get you thinking about our impact on the environmentduring Fashion Revolution week!
Sustainability,slow fashion and the circular economy are the cornerstones of what we do at The Social Outfit. You canlearn more about our impact here, orshop the latest in beautiful, ethically-made fashion here.
We developed this postusing the following articles:
- McFall-Johnsen, Morgan. “The Fashion Industry Emits More Carbon than International Flights and Maritime Shipping Combined. Here Are the Biggest Ways It Impacts the Planet.” Business Insider Australia, Business Insider Australia, 17 Oct. 2019, www.businessinsider.com.au/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10?r=US&IR=T.
- Rosmarin, Remi. “Sustainability Sells: Why Consumers and Clothing Brands Alike Are Turning to Sustainability as a Guiding Light.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 14 Jan. 2020, www.businessinsider.com/sustainability-as-a-value-is-changing-how-consumers-shop.
- Ross, Graham. “Australia Recycles Paper and Plastics. So Why Does Clothing End up in Landfill? | Graham Ross.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 27 Aug. 2019, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/27/australia-recycles-paper-and-plastics-so-why-does-clothing-end-up-in-landfill.
April 23, 2020 — TSO Staff
I'm an expert in environmental sustainability, with a focus on textile waste and its impact on the planet. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of the environmental repercussions of fast fashion, over-supply, and evolving consumption habits. The evidence supporting my knowledge is drawn from various reputable sources and studies, some of which are referenced in the provided article.
The article highlights a staggering statistic that about 85% of textiles go to waste each year, equivalent to filling the Sydney Harbour annually. The rise in textile waste is attributed to the prevalence of fast fashion, the shift to 52 fashion seasons per year, and changes in consumer behavior. Textile waste has become a global concern, illustrated by the significant increase in the United Kingdom between 2005-2010 and the alarming 26 billion pounds of textiles ending up in landfills annually in the United States.
Australia is specifically emphasized as the world's second-highest consumer of textiles, with 3 out of 10 people admitting to discarding approximately 10 pieces in the past year. The article emphasizes the need to recognize and address the growing textile waste issue, highlighting potential solutions such as chemical separation of materials. This process can extract raw materials from discarded textiles, which can then be reused in the textile industry or repurposed into other products like plastic bottles.
The call to action extends to individuals, suggesting that there are steps one can take to reduce their impact on textile waste. The article hints at a forthcoming blog post with more detailed guidance on individual actions.
The provided information aligns with broader discussions in environmental sustainability, citing articles like "The Fashion Industry Emits More Carbon than International Flights and Maritime Shipping Combined" and "Sustainability Sells: Why Consumers and Clothing Brands Alike Are Turning to Sustainability as a Guiding Light." These sources emphasize the environmental impact of the fashion industry and the increasing importance of sustainability as a value.
In conclusion, the article underscores the critical need for addressing textile waste, both on a systemic level through innovative solutions like chemical separation and on an individual level through conscious consumer choices. The sources referenced in the article contribute to the credibility of the information presented, reflecting a comprehensive understanding of the environmental challenges posed by the fashion industry.
