Approximately 92 million tonnes of textile waste are generated annually, and this number may reach 134 million tonnes by the end of the decade.
- Global emissions from the apparel industry are projected to increase by 50% by 2030 without significant action to reduce waste.
- The average American consumer discards around 81.5 pounds (37 kilograms) of clothes each year.
- The number of times a garment is worn has decreased by about 36% in 15 years, reflecting a throwaway culture.
- The fashion industry contributes to 20% of global wastewater and is responsible for 3% of global CO2 emissions and over 20% of global water pollution.
- It takes 20,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of cotton, leading to substantial water waste.
- Approximately $500 billion is lost each year due to under-utilization and failure to recycle clothes.
- Nearly 10% of microplastics in the ocean come from textiles, with half a million tons entering the ocean annually.
- In the US alone, 2.6 million tonnes of returned clothes ended up in landfills in 2020, primarily due to the high cost of putting them back into circulation.
- Fast fashion brands produce twice the amount of clothes today compared to 2000, leading to increased textile waste both during and after production
These statistics highlight the concerning environmental and social impact of fast fashion and the urgent need for sustainable and responsible practices within the industry.
