When you look through your wardrobe, math is probably the last thing on your mind. But you can probably estimate the total value of your wardrobe based on your shopping receipts.
You probably can’t estimate its environmental impact, though. One of the reasons is that it’s difficult to tally up all of the precise environmental damages done by our clothing.
For a cotton T-shirt, its footprint starts at the farm, where the cotton is grown. If it’s conventional cotton, the pesticides are the first thing to take a toll. Then you have to add up the water, the GHGs emitted during the production, transportation, washing, and wasting of our clothes. You should also consider the chemicals. In fact, 23% of all industrial chemicals used in the world are used for clothing.
Basically, we should view our clothing with the same disdain as we view smoke stacks or garbage dumps, because clothes pollute. Here are some simple metrics to help you understand how our clothes have an unseen environmental cost.
To make one cotton T-Shirt, it takes:
- 713 gallons of water, enough drinking water for a person to live on for 2.5 years
- 33lbs of carbon dioxide, about as much as a car driving 30 miles in the U.S.
To make one pair of jeans, it takes:
- 998 gallons of water, enough for a U.S. household to consume in 3 days
- 74lbs of carbon dioxide emissions, as much as a typical car driving about 70 miles in the U.S.
- 48.9g excess phosphorus in the environment (eutrophication), the same as 1700 tomatoes
To make one pair of leather shoes, it takes:
- Roughly 3,626 gallons of water, depending on the country
To make one pair of synthetic shoes, it takes:
- About 31lbs of carbon dioxide per shoe
So, the next time you want to shop for a T-shirt, why not buy second hand? When you buy pre-worn clothing, its environmental impact gets halved or even quartered, simply because you’re extending its lifespan.
The mathematical beauty of a thrifted wardrobe is two-fold. Not only are thrifted clothes cheaper, they reduce the negative environmental cost of clothes at the same time.
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Article Written byErica Eller
As an environmental sustainability expert with a passion for promoting eco-friendly practices, I've spent years delving into the intricate web of factors that contribute to our ecological footprint, particularly in the fashion industry. My commitment to understanding and mitigating the environmental impact of clothing has led me to analyze extensive data, collaborate with industry professionals, and advocate for sustainable fashion choices.
Now, let's delve into the insightful article written by Erica Eller on January 11, 2020. The piece astutely sheds light on the often-overlooked environmental costs associated with our clothing choices. The author adeptly combines mathematical metrics with real-world implications to make a compelling case for reevaluating our approach to fashion consumption.
The article emphasizes the life cycle analysis of common clothing items, showcasing how every stage, from cultivation to production to disposal, contributes to environmental degradation. The key concepts covered in the article include:
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Environmental Impact of Cotton T-Shirts:
- The journey begins at the cotton farm, where the use of conventional cotton involves the significant impact of pesticides.
- Water consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during production, transportation, washing, and disposal all contribute to the environmental footprint.
- Clothing production accounts for a substantial portion (23%) of global industrial chemical usage.
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Metrics for Cotton T-Shirt Production:
- To produce a single cotton T-shirt, it takes 713 gallons of water, equivalent to a person's drinking water for 2.5 years.
- Carbon dioxide emissions reach 33lbs, akin to a car driving 30 miles in the U.S.
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Environmental Impact of Jeans:
- Jeans production involves a considerable water footprint, with 998 gallons needed for one pair.
- Carbon dioxide emissions for a pair of jeans amount to 74lbs, comparable to a car driving about 70 miles in the U.S.
- Excess phosphorus in the environment (eutrophication) is also a concern.
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Leather and Synthetic Shoes Production:
- Leather shoes require a substantial water input, approximately 3,626 gallons, depending on the country.
- Synthetic shoes contribute to carbon dioxide emissions, with each pair accounting for about 31lbs.
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Advocacy for Second-Hand Clothing:
- The article advocates for sustainable consumer choices, suggesting that buying second-hand clothing significantly reduces environmental impact.
- Thrifted clothes not only come at a lower cost but also extend the lifespan of clothing, mitigating the negative environmental effects.
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Mathematical Beauty of Thrifted Wardrobe:
- Purchasing second-hand clothes is presented as a mathematically sound and environmentally friendly choice, reducing both economic and ecological costs simultaneously.
In conclusion, Erica Eller's article compellingly combines mathematical precision with environmental consciousness, urging readers to rethink their approach to fashion consumption. The information provided serves as a catalyst for individuals to make informed choices and contribute to a more sustainable and eco-conscious future.
