13 Facts About Textile Waste Statistics

Textile waste can go to a few different places, depending on how it is disposed of

First of all it is important to know what is textile waste

Textile waste is material that is leftover or discharged at the end of its lifespan. This includes everything from scraps of fabric to old clothes and household textiles. Textile waste is a serious problem which is only getting worse if nothing is done to counter the current trend.

Overconsumption of natural resources

The textile production is the largest source of water degradation and land use in 2020.

Water Pollution

Textile production is estimated to be responsible for 20 % of global clean water pollution from dyeing and finishing products.

A laundry of clothes with polyester can release 700 000 microplastic fibers which can end up in the food chain.

During the first couple of washes the microplastics from textile is discharged. Washing synthetic products is responsible of the accumulation of more than half a million ton of microplastics in the oceans every year.

Textile waste in landfills and low recycling rates

Items are being thrown away, and only 1 % of used clothes are recycled into new clothes.

On average Europeans use 26 kg of textile and discard roughly 11 kg of that every year. Around 87% of the clothes end up in landfills or are incinerated.

The rise of fast fashion is a factor in the increase in the consumption, which is driven by social media and the industry allows for more exposure in these platforms.

The new business models for clothing rental, designing products in a way that would make reuse and recycling more practical which enables for circular fashion. It is better to convince consumers to purchase clothes with better quality that has more durability (slow fashion), and generally having consumer in the direction of more sustainable options.

Key facts:

• China produces the most textile waste at 20 mio tons and the US (17 mio tons) produce the second most

• Every year there is globally produces 92 mio tons of textile waste every year

• Clothing and textiles are responsible for at least 7 % of the total waste that ends in global landfill space

• Globally between 80 and 100 billion new clothing garments are made globally each year

• Materials made for clothing end either in incinerations or landfills with a number that hits 87%

• 20 % of discarded textiles are collected

• 1 % will get recycled into new garments

Fast fashion and textile waste statistics

Global fashion industry waste

• Each year up to 100 billion garments are produced by the fashion industry

• Up to 92 million tons of clothing ends up in landfills annually

• In terms of recycling only 20 % are collected for reuse or recycling globally

• Nyln, acrylic, and polyester are a few examples of synthetic fibers that have become normal for most people. Up to 60 % of the clothing material is made of plastic.

• Per year, 42 mio. tons of plastic waste is generated from the textile production, right behind the packaging industry which has a higher plastic waste generation

• Up to 500 000 tons of microfibers end up in the ocean annually, because tiny synthetic garment releases microplastics when it is washed

• 9 % of annual microplastic pollution comes from the textile and fashion waste

• The garment and footwear industry is responsible for 8% of the global GHG

Textile recycling and waste in the united states

• The US generates over 17 mio. tons of textile of MSW annually, according to the most recent epa data

• Per person that is 112 lbs annually

• 66% of all unwanted clothes and textiles are landfilled

• In terms of recycling only or less than 15 % is actually recycled

• The remaining 19% are burned

Fashion industry waste - key drivers

When it comes to fashion waste it's easy to blame the fashion industry. However, it is a responsibility we as consumers must take seriously. These statistics show how consumer demand for fashion has led to rise in the fashion industry.

• Global clothing sales would reach 160 mio. tons by 2050

• Nowadays, we use less clothes but still buy more. We buy 60 % more clothing, and only discard items after wearing it at 50 %.

• Every person uses 11.4 kg per year which results in a 442 kg of CO2 emission per capita

• Between 2010 and 2015 the global production of clothing doubled which was because of a demand for cheap clothing

Chemical usage

One of the largest consumers of chemicals globally is the textile industry which uses different substances to make dyes and fabrics. These chemicals when released can cause a negative impact on the soil and groundwater when it ends in landfills

It can pollute the soil, can reduce fertility, and the surrounding population's health. In addition, when they affect groundwater supplies, the chemicals can seep from textile waste and cause damage to the ecosystem.

There must be a sense of urgency to counter these issues of chemical consumption from textile waste in landfills.

Resource depletion

The textile industry uses a lot of resources such as water, energy, and raw materials in the production of textiles. It further adds to the depletion of natural resources, because they are discharged to the landfills.

Large amounts of water from freshwater sources are depleted rapidly, and is needed for the manufacturing of textiles. In addition, the energy required to produce textile is significant and usually comes from non-renewable sources, which enhances GHG emissions.

Moreover, in addition the raw materials applied to manufacture textile, such as cotton and synthetic fibers are impacting the ecology. There is a high need for pesticides and fertilizers for cultivation of cotton which can have a substantial influence on water quality and the health of soil.

Solutions to textile industry waste

Consider selling, swapping or donating clothes instead of throwing in the trash. Consider, if you really need to buy clothes. Perhaps its possible to buy secondhand clothes, or swapping and rental schemes.

Buy recycled or upcycled clothing

Post consumer textile waste are options some brands are using to make new clothes which is considered to be a circular economy. Some materials used are the plastic bottles or nylon fishing nets.

Buy organic clothing

Organic farming uses less water and energy than traditional farming, and the need for synthetic pesticides or fertilizers is not necessary which pollute the water system.

In addition, organic fibers does not have plastic, which means after its usage, they will biodegrade.

The organic fashion industry has been growing recently the recent year.

Sustainable Production Methods

Innovative production and manufacturing methods are tools that can reduce waste and pollution at every stage of the textile production process.