'Clothing designed to become garbage' — Fashion industry grapples with pollution, waste issues

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Despite talk of shifting toward more sustainable production, the fashion industry's greenhouse gas emissions are on track to surge more than 50% by 2030 as global demand for apparel rises.

The major issue is that most of the fibers in these cheap garments are synthetics and polyesters, which are derived from oil and petroleum production.

The chemicals used in producing and dying these fabrics harm the environment, too. In fact, the problem is so pervasive that the Environmental Protection Agency considers many textile manufacturing facilities to be"Consumers might think they are getting something for nearly nothing — clothing designed to become garbage — but they should ask, what are the real costs of the product?" said Stanley-Jones.

Garment waste is not only a sustainability issue but an economic problem, too. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that about $500 billion is lost each year as a result of clothing being thrown out instead of being reused or recycled.

For instance, fast-fashion brands H&M and Zara, which sell low-priced items in large amounts, have both raced to make a sustainability remittance.

 

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