A single pair of jeans requires 5,000 litres of water, equivalent to four months of daily showers. From microplastics to massive water usage, fashion's hidden environmental costs are staggering. Read on for more key insights from our founder Jo Hand around sustainable fashion.
?????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ????????????????. After leading a client workshop on sustainable fashion today, I'm sharing key insights on switches that benefit both the planet and the wallet: Fashion's impact on our environment extends far beyond what many realize. At 5%+ of global emissions, the clothing industry's carbon footprint exceeds that of aviation, which accounts for around 2%. The scale of this industry has doubled in just 15 years, fuelled by fast fashion and increasing consumption patterns. ?????????? ?????????? in fashion is high. A single pair of jeans requires approximately 5000 litres of water – equivalent to four months of daily showers. For most consumers, the water footprint of their wardrobe significantly outweighs that of their household use. This intense water consumption has devastating, real-world consequences. The Aral Sea which lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, once the world's fourth largest inland body of water, has lost 90% of its volume over the past 50 years, largely due to water diversion for cotton cultivation. This environmental disaster has destroyed local fishing industries, displaced communities, created a more extreme climate, and generated toxic dust storms that contribute to serious health conditions from throat cancer to kidney disease. ?????????????????? represents another critical concern. Textile dyeing and treatment contribute to 20% of industrial water pollution globally. When washed, synthetic clothing also releases microplastics: a single laundry load can discharge up to 700,000 microfibers that can eventually enter our food chain, affecting both wildlife and human health. ?????????? generated by the fashion industry is material too. Every year 80-100 billion items of clothing are produced globally, and every second, the equivalent of a garbage truck load of clothing is incinerated or relegated to landfill. ????, ???????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????? Giki ???????? 1.????Consider adopting a "30 wears" approach – only purchase items you'll wear at least 30 times. Helps avoid waste 2.????For occasional needs, explore renting, borrowing, or going second-hand. 3.????Go pre-loved if you needs to buy something 4.????Extend garment lifespans through repair. 5.????Follow garment care instructions carefully to preserve your clothes for longer. 6. Check you really need it - think before you buy. This can be good news for our wallet! By making mindful adjustments to how we purchase, care for, and dispose of clothing, we can substantially reduce our environmental impact while often improving our personal finances in the process. What eco-friendly fashion brands or apps have you discovered? Share your favourites in the comments – my current favourite is Vinted for fantastic, low cost, pre-loved clothing #sustainablefashion #climateaction #circulareconomy