The fashion industry and its consumer behaviour ended up as one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation. From the production of raw materials to the disposal of garments, every stage of a textile product’s lifecycle has an environmental footprint.
The fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions, more than other industries such as transport or construction. It is also the second-largest consumer of water worldwide. For example, a single cotton t-shirt requires about 2,700 litres of water to produce it.
Fashion is also one of the major waste producers, with an estimated 5 million tons of textile waste generated annually in 2024 just in the EU. This huge waste production often ends up in landfills or at incinerating plants, missing out on the possibility of reusing or recycling.
Water is one of the most important resources on the earth, being the responsabile of life. As a society, we must take care of it, and the fashion industry is notorious for its excessive water use and pollution because of some chemicals released into the water. Dyeing and finishing processes often are the moments in production where these toxic substances are released into water, affecting aquatic life and human health.
The fashion industry's carbon footprint is staggering from the energy used in manufacturing to transporting goods. In 2024, the push towards proximity production and promoting renewable energy sources and energy-efficient practices is crucial to reducing these emissions from production and logistics.
Synthetic fibres from plastics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic are prevalent in modern fashion. When washed, these materials shed microplastics, which can finally end up in rivers, seas, oceans, or other water sources. These microplastics are ingested by marine life, entering the food chain and posing health risks to humans. Developing synthetic fabrics made from recycled content, such as plastic nets or old garments, is one of the most important innovations for the fashion industry.
Natural fibre production such as cotton or wool, requires vast amounts of land, leading to deforestation and loss of biodiversity in some areas. Additionally, the use of pesticides and fertilizers in farming can harm soil health and local ecosystems.
One of the most important fashion challenges is to create a sustainable balance to grow this type of fibre without environmentally damaging practices such as deforestation.
Actually, the textile industry is producing organic natural fibres to fight against this situation. You can find a wide selection of organic fibres at Recovo’s marketplace.
Fast fashion and its rise have starred the fashion industry during the last decade, creating overconsumption behaviours in consumers whose demand forces the textile industry to increase its climate footprint. Consumers buy more, wear items fewer times, and discard them quickly, leading to increased waste and resource consumption.
Consumer awareness is a powerful tool in driving change: if consumers are demanding more sustainable clothing, brands will produce more sustainable garments. In 2024, more people are becoming conscious of the environmental impact of their fashion choices, and both brands and authorities are developing educational campaigns to persuade them to change their purchasing and consumption habits. Transparency has become one of the most important characteristics of these policies, promoting fashion and textile consumers to be more decisions and to make more informed decisions.
Consumers are one of the most important key players in the fashion transition to circularity. If they opt for circular fashion choices such as buying eco-friendly brands, choosing quality over quantity, and supporting second-hand and vintage markets, the fashion transition to circularity will be boosted.
Governments decided to change the fashion industry forever. Due to international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, authorities such as the European Commission aim to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices, by launching regulations such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations.
Governments must provide incentives for sustainable practices to promote circular economy practices within the textile industry. Tax breaks, grants, and subsidies for circular business model companies encourage the adoption of sustainable technologies and practices to other companies.
Sustainable materials are very important to reduce the environmental impact of textiles. Organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo are eco-friendly alternatives to conventional cotton which is a very land-consuming material. On the other hand, recycled materials, such as recycled polyester, are also an alternative to reduce waste and resource consumption.
Consumers must support ethical brands that have sustainability and ethical practices in their organisation values. Looking for certifications like Fair Trade, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and Bluesign, which indicate that a brand meets high environmental and social standards, is a good technique to identify sustainable committed brands.
Second-hand and vintage shopping is a sustainable way to change your wardrobe more often. Reusing garments from others is one of the methods to reduce the waste created by fashion and reduce unnecessary production.
The future of sustainable fashion lies in innovation. Advances in technology are paving the way for more sustainable materials and production methods. Lab-grown leather and biodegradable fabrics are emerging as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials.
Circular Fashion has gained popularity for governments and societies worldwide as an alternative to developing a sustainable and competitive economy. This business model focuses on designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Brands from several industries are adopting circular practices, such as deadstock markets, take-back programs, softwares to reduce a company’s waste production, and clothing rental services, among others.
A more circular approach among consumers has been popularised during the last few years. Brands, authorities, and other fashion stakeholders are empowering consumers to make sustainable choices through transparent information, education, and more accessible sustainable options. As consumer demand for sustainable fashion grows, the industry will be compelled to adapt.
Strong policies and regulations will play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable fashion. Governments must continue to implement and enforce environmental standards, incentivize sustainable practices, and hold the fashion industry accountable for its impact.
Recovo creates circular solutions for the fashion industry. We cover various aspects of the circular economy for brands:
Based in Barcelona, we have a global mission with our websites in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, French, dutch, German
If you want to know more, please contact us
