Fast fashion is both an economic and sociological phenomenon that has grown to epic proportions. What we cut in costs for garments is borne twice over by the planet, and it is absolutely crucial that we change our regulations and behaviours. We believe in empowering people with knowledge, so here is our list of the 10 most essential fast fashion statistics that will help you understand the detrimental impact of this industry on the environment.
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1 – 2. Clothing production has doubled – Garment usage lifetime has decreased
These two statistics are the embodiment of fast fashion. Clothing sales doubled from 100 to 200 billion units a year, while the average number of times an item was worn decreased by 36% overall.
3. Fast fashion generated more CO2 than aviation and shipping combined
Thefashion industry is the second-largest industrial polluter, accounting for about 10% of global pollution, ranking higher thanemissions from air travel and maritime transport combined.
4. More than $500 billion are lost every year due to lack of recycling and clothing utilisation
Garments given up early and thrown out instead of recycled combine to produce massive wastage, estimated at around $500 billion every year. A large portion occurs on the consumer’s side, but retail stores are just as guilty, often spotted tossing or burning unsold stock.
You might also like: How Can the Fast Fashion Industry Reduce Textile Waste?
5. Fashion habits around the world vary
The previous statistics gave a global snapshot of the situation, but fast fashion is more or less prominent depending on where you live.
6. 20% of global wastewater comes from textile dyeing
The fashion industry consumes a monstrous amount of water, around 93 billion cubic metres, leaving much of it contaminated by toxic chemicals. According to the UN Environment Programme, 20% of global wastewater comes from textile dyeing. Because the bulk of the production is in countries with less regulation, the wastewater often finds its way to rivers and seas where it can wreak havoc.
7. We discard 92 million tons of clothes-related waste each year
This next figure on our list of fast fashion statistics can be difficult to grasp, so let us reframe it.
8. Produces half a million tons of microplastics
You’ve surely heard of the plague of microplastics, now seemingly ubiquitous on Earth. They are found everywhere, from the top of Mount Everest, to within the very air we breathe. The oceans are riddled with them, routinely ingested by fish, which are then eaten in turn as the plastic works its way up the food chain.
Garments are a huge source of microplastics because so many are now made of nylon or polyester, both durable and cheap. Each wash and dry cycle, especially the latter, sheds microfilaments that move through our sewage systems and end up in waterways. We estimate that half a million tons of these contaminants reach the ocean each year.
You might also like: Are Microplastics Harmful And How Can We Avoid Them?
9. Returns of items bought online exceed the amount of all purchased goods
As more and more online retailers, big and small, offer the option to send back goods easily and often for free, return rates, especially of fashion items, have skyrocketed,exceeding 30% of all purchased goods.
10. You can easily help cut consumer emissions by more than half
It has been shown that by:
- skipping one in six washing loads,
- washing half loads at below 30 degrees,
- and substituting every sixth dryer usage with open-air drying,
We would reduce consumer emissions by more than half.
That may seem like a complicated set of instructions, but the message is that small cuts or changes of behaviour here and there make a big difference. You can be part of that.
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Tagged: fast fashion statistics
I am an environmental enthusiast with a deep understanding of the fast fashion industry and its impact on the environment. My expertise is rooted in comprehensive research, firsthand knowledge, and a commitment to raising awareness about the environmental consequences of fast fashion.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article about fast fashion statistics:
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Clothing Production Doubling and Garment Usage Lifetime Decreasing:
- The article highlights the exponential growth in clothing production, reaching 200 billion units annually.
- Despite increased production, the average number of times a garment is worn has decreased by 36%, emphasizing the disposability of fast fashion items.
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Fast Fashion's CO2 Emissions Surpassing Aviation and Shipping Combined:
- The fast fashion industry is identified as the second-largest industrial polluter, contributing to about 10% of global pollution.
- The emissions from the fashion industry exceed those from both air travel and maritime transport combined.
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Loss of Over $500 Billion Annually Due to Lack of Recycling:
- The article points out that the lack of recycling and clothing utilization results in a massive financial loss estimated at over $500 billion each year.
- Both consumers and retail stores contribute to this wastage, with unsold stock often discarded rather than recycled.
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Global Variances in Fast Fashion Impact:
- Fast fashion's prevalence varies worldwide, suggesting that its impact is more prominent in certain regions than others.
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Textile Dyeing Contributes to 20% of Global Wastewater:
- The fashion industry's excessive water consumption, especially in textile dyeing, leads to the contamination of approximately 20% of global wastewater.
- Lack of regulation in production countries results in wastewater finding its way into rivers and seas.
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92 Million Tons of Clothes-Related Waste Discarded Annually:
- The staggering amount of 92 million tons of waste related to clothing is discarded each year, highlighting the environmental burden of fast fashion.
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Half a Million Tons of Microplastics Generated:
- Garments made of nylon or polyester contribute significantly to the generation of microplastics.
- Washing and drying cycles release microfilaments, with an estimated half a million tons reaching the oceans annually.
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Returns of Online Purchases Exceeding All Purchased Goods:
- The ease of returning goods, particularly in the fashion sector, has led to return rates surpassing 30% of all purchased goods.
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Consumer Emission Reduction Through Behavioral Changes:
- Small changes in consumer behavior, such as reducing washing loads, washing at lower temperatures, and air-drying clothes, can collectively cut consumer emissions by more than half.
The overarching message is clear: the fast fashion industry has far-reaching environmental consequences, and individual actions can contribute to mitigating its impact on the planet.
