Why the Fashion Industry Needs to Rethink Waste
Global waste is a crisis, and no one is coming to save us from it. It’s up to us – individual consumers and brands – to make the changes necessary to save our planet. Let’s talk about what’s going on with global waste: why it’s such a huge issue and what we can do about it, especially within the fashion industry.
As part of Plastic Free July, we’re snorkeling through the murky waters of fashion waste: what it is, why it matters, and how brands like Passion Lilie are rethinking the system with solutions like our new Pre-Loved Collection.
What is global waste, and why is it a crisis?
According to the World Bank, the world generates over 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, and this number is expected to increase by 70% to 3.4 billion tons by 2050. The current system of waste disposal — landfills, incineration, and pollution —is unsustainable and exacerbating the climate crisis.
Landfills are reaching capacity, and plastic pollution is infiltrating even the most remote ecosystems. The fashion industry is one of the worst offenders. To make any headway in mitigating the effects of climate change, addressing global waste is a crucial starting point.
Waste is responsible for 20% of the world’s human-related methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas with more than 80 times the warming power of CO₂ over 20 years. Cutting methane is our most important tool for reducing climate change, and a recent UN assessment has shown that it is possible to reduce human-caused methane emissions by 45% this decade, thereby avoiding nearly 0.3°C of global warming by 2045.
Most people are aware of the danger of single-use plastics like straws and grocery bags, but few realize that synthetic clothing (primarily fast fashion) sheds microplastics every time it’s washed. These tiny plastic fibers end up in our waterway systems, causing serious harm to marine life and entering our food chain. UNESCO estimates that plastic debris kills more than 1 million seabirds and more than 100,000 marine animals every year.
The Fashion Industry’s Waste Problem
Fashion is one of the most wasteful industries in the world:
- The world produces 92 million tons of textile waste per year. That’s one garbage truck full of clothes burned or sent to a landfill every second.
- The fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global water pollution, and is the second largest consumer of water globally.
- Less than 1% of all textiles are recycled into new clothing.
Fast fashion accelerates the waste problem by encouraging overconsumption, churning out low-quality clothing. We wear it a handful of times before it tears or no longer meets our needs, then we toss it in the trash and buy something new.
There is some good news…
Our waste problem is fixable, and it’s really not hard to do. With creativity, commitment, and collaboration across industries, we can solve the waste problem we’ve created.
At Passion Lilie, we believe a circular model is the future of fashion. That’s why we launched our Pre-Loved Collection, giving new life to gently worn Passion Lilie garments. This program keeps clothing out of landfills and makes sustainable fashion more accessible to more people. Plenty of other brands are taking action to mitigate waste in other inspiring ways, including:
- Deadstock fabric reuse: Deadstock fabric is material that remains unused by the clothing maker. Due to overproduction, cancelled orders, or changes in design, fabric may end up on the cutting floor and swept into a landfill. Using deadstock fabrics helps reduce the brand’s carbon footprint by upcycling existing materials to give clothing new life. People of Leisure is one brand that is killing it in the deadstock space.
- Slow fashion: In direct opposition to fast fashion, slow fashion prioritizes quality, timeless design, and ethical production. The Standard Stitch is a brand that’s doing slow fashion very well.
- Resale models: Programs like our Pre-Loved Collection, as well as secondhand marketplaces and buyback models, help keep clothes in circulation longer. Patagonia pioneered the resale game and made it cool.
- Repair and upcycling: Companies that encourage and facilitate consumer mending, tailoring, or transforming old clothes help extend the lives of their garments and reduce the demand for production. We’re inspired by Goldpaw’s commitment to repairing their gear. Their website’s pretty cute, too.
The role of Plastic Free July
We’re celebrating Plastic Free July, a global movement that encourages people to cut back on single-use plastics. Cutting back on straws and water bottles is important, but so is re-thinking your closet. There’s no need to purge all fast fashion pieces (that would not be sustainable), but the next time you need to buy clothes, focus on organic, natural fibers. Buy less, buy better, and keep your well-made clothes in circulation.
Plastic Free July is a great reminder to pursue sustainable fashion as you make small, meaningful changes to your lifestyle.
Collective action starts now.
Sustainable waste management is gaining traction in many parts of the world. In Pernambuco, Brazil, a new mechanized recycling plant processes approximately 2,000 tons of waste per day. Poland and Vietnam are also working toward sustainable waste management processes. If we all work together – individuals, businesses, and governments – we can really make a difference in reducing waste and emissions.
As consumers, we have power. As brands, we have responsibility. We’ll lead by example and be part of the solution. We hope you’ll join us in shopping consciously, exploring our Pre-Loved Collection, and building a world with much less waste.
Sources:
https://www.ifc.org/en/blogs/2024/the-world-has-a-waste-problem
https://www.edf.org/climate/methane-crucial-opportunity-climate-fight
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