7 Sustainable Fashion Facts in 2024 -

For many years, we have been caught up in the era of fast fashion that large clothing corporations have promoted to the masses.

In many ways, fast fashion has overruled many important environmental, social, and economic factors.

People are now starting to become more aware of this crisis, but many still remain in the dark. Let’s take a look at some noteworthy sustainable fashion facts- that prove why we should avoid fast fashion and lean towards a sustainable fashion approach.

7 Sustainable Fashion Facts

1. Clothing Ends Up in Landfills or Incinerators

It is estimated that over three-fifths of all clothing items (worldwide!) ends up in a landfill or incinerators. While we make many efforts to donate unused or gently used clothing, the facts are quite startling.

We assume something good is happening to these items, however, it’s been shown that only 20% of the items make it their dedicated destination.

This makes us question our decision to donate to those bulky boxes claiming they donate to the needy. Perhaps repurposing items is a better choice or directly donating them to someone.

2. Recyclables are being used to create clothing

Sustainable fashion is becoming more popular and people are trying to do better with their fashion. In fact, there are even designers trying to upcycle recyclables into clothing.

Designer Patagonia was the first to create something of this nature, creating waves in the fashion world. They went forth with creating clothing made from plastic bottles. Talk about innovative!

3. The best way to reduce fashion waste

One of the greatest ways to reduce waste within the fashion world is to favor quality over quantity. While it’s tempting to have many clothing options, it is not practical.

This behavior leads to aiding in clothing ending up landfills, etc. Picking clothing that is better quality will give a better fashion sense and keep heaping amounts of fashion from piling up.

4. Clothing sales are up, but…

While approximately 60% more clothing items are being purchased, this statistic is not favorable! Why? Because the length of time the clothing is being kept has dropped by 50% from just over 15 years ago.

This results in more clothing gathering up and society is just not keeping the clothing for as long. They’re quick to toss it out.

5. It is a worldwide issue

The press for more sustainable fashion is a worldwide issue. It is not limited to just one country. This increases all the statistics quite dramatically and leads to a more serious issue at hand.

If these astronomical numbers can be addressed, things will lean in the right direction.

6. Carbon emissions from clothing are serious

As mentioned, this is a worldwide problem. The carbon emissions from clothing stem from all countries and that really adds up in the long run.

For example, in the UK it’s estimated that carbon emissions from discarded clothing are equal to car emissions driving approximately 6,000 miles.

This is also a problem in the US and the amount of clothing tossed out every year, especially in the US, is quite shell shocking!

7. Clothing Waste is Astronomical

While it’s no surprise that clothing waste is serious, knowing a more sustainable number can help put it into a better perspective.

In the US alone, there are over 25 million pounds of clothing thrown away each year.

Yes, you read that right, millions and pounds were in the same sentence. This kind of waste is what aids in the carbon emissions that come from the landfills and incinerators.