15+ sustainable fashion facts you need to know

As the climate crisis intensifies and consumers become increasingly eco-aware, the fashion industry’s environmental impact is often thrown into the spotlight.

Despite some alarming statistics, it doesn’t mean we should lose hope for a sustainable fashion future. To get you up to speed, here’s an easily digestible list of all the sustainable fashion facts you need to know.

Waste

Perhaps the most significant contributor to fashion’s negative environmental impact is the amount of waste produced throughout the supply chain.

• 92 million tonnes of textile waste heads to landfills every year.
• That’s the equivalent of a truckload every second.
• 50% of clothing bought in the UK is never worn.
• 80% of all clothes end up in landfill.
• Only 1% of waste gets recycled into new garments.

Chemical pollution

Raw materials require a lot of chemical processing, with those chemicals needing somewhere to go. Unfortunately, this usually has a detrimental effect on the environment, natural resources and communities.

• The fashion industry is responsible for 20% of waste water.
• Dying clothes uses 43 million tonnes of chemicals every year.
• Fashion is responsible for 10-20% of pesticide usage.
• 500,000 tonnes of plastic microfibres end up in oceans every year, equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles.
• It takes 20,000 litres of water to produce one kilogram of cotton.

Carbon footprint

As carbon emissions reach an alarming rate globally, eyes are turning to the industries and companies with the biggest impact, with some consumers and governing bodies holding them accountable.

• Textile production has more of an impact on the environment than aviation and shipping combined.
• Fashion is the second biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 10% of global pollution.
• The emissions associated with producing one white cotton t-shirt is equivalent to driving 35 miles in a car.
• Based on current pollution levels, fashion emissions are expected to grow by 50% by 2030.

Global initiatives

With feelings of eco-anxiety and environmental responsibility increasing with consumers, we’ve started to see a shift towards more sustainable shopping habits to reduce the negative impacts of fast fashion hyperconsumerism.

• The rental, resale and repair market is already worth over 75 billion USD.
• This sector has the potential to reach a worth of 700 billion USD by 2030.
• There’s been a 31% increase in secondhand clothing listings on eBay in the last three years.
• Secondhand fashion app, Vinted, has more than doubled its registered users since 2019, reaching 65 million in 2022.
• The clothes resale market in the UK grew by 149% between 2016 and 2022.

Circular fashion

While the impact of circular fashion remains to be fully seen and understood, several positive sustainable fashion facts are associated with a model that displays glimmers of hope.

• Circular business models for fashion could create a 560 billion USD economic opportunity.
• The Ellen McArthur Foundation predicts that circular models could grow from 3.5% of the global fashion market today to 23% by 2030.

Summary

• Waste and overproduction: The fashion industry is a major source of waste, with an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste ending up in landfills annually. A staggering 50% of clothes bought in the UK are never worn, contributing to this problem. 

• Pollution and carbon footprint: The industry is a significant contributor to global pollution. Textile production accounts for 10% of worldwide carbon emissions and is responsible for 20% of industrial wastewater pollution. 

• The rise of circular fashion: There is immense potential of a circular fashion model. The resale, rental, and repair market is currently worth over $75 billion USD and is projected to grow to $700 billion USD by 2030, presenting a massive economic opportunity while reducing environmental impact. 

• Chemical use: The manufacturing process, particularly the dyeing of clothes, is a major concern. The industry uses 43 million tonnes of chemicals for dyeing each year, which contributes heavily to water waste and pollution. 

Want to learn more about sustainable fashion?

Our guide tells all. We’ll cover why sustainability in fashion is important and the practices, materials and suppliers you need to help you on your journey to becoming a circular business.