Impressions - October/November 2023 - 21

the planet. Th e numbers are staggering. Th ree-fi fths of all clothing
ends up in landfi lls or incinerators within a year of production. Th is
translates to a truckload of discarded clothing being dumped or
burned every second.
Most used clothing fi nds its way to countries in Africa, South
America or southern Asia-countries that are now overwhelmed
by the amounts of clothing they have collected. In Ghana, the pile
of discarded clothing on the outskirts of the capital has risen to 65
feet. Th e Atacama Desert in Chile, once NASA's testing site for the
Mars Rovers, is now better known as the world's fastest-growing
dump for discarded clothing.
Recent headlines have highlighted growing concerns with the
apparel industry's " one-and-done " mindset, with accusations that
some companies are " greenwashing " their products and practices.
How, though, can we accurately gauge sustainability in the apparel
world? When does sustainability messaging cross the line to greenwashing?
For those truly committed to helping preserve the planet,
the key is to be informed. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers.
As a start, what exactly is the diff erence between environmental
sustainability and greenwashing?
Sustainability is the concept of producing and consuming clothing
in a way that minimizes negative impacts on the environment, society
and the economy, both now and for future generations. Sustainability
involves adopting practices that consider the entire lifecycle of
garments, from the sourcing of raw materials to their disposal. It is
about fostering a more mindful and responsible approach to clothing
production, decoration, use and disposal.
Greenwashing refers to deceptive marketing practices where misleading,
false or unsubstantiated claims about products or practices
are made to give the impression that they are " greener " or more environment-friendly
than they actually are.
With this in mind, let's take a closer look at some of the factors
involved when it comes to sustainability and the apparel industry,
with an eye toward making informed choices.
Looking for 'Greener' Choices
Th e good news is that many major brands and retailers have taken
notice and are considering more sustainable and environment-friendly
practices. However, not all these practices may be as green as they
appear. Here are some facts to consider.
Much of the attention, for example, has been on materials, not
processes. Great Britain's Guardian newspaper reports that textile
mills are now responsible for an estimated three-quarters of a garment's
lifecycle emissions. Any effi ciencies gained from processing
fi bers into yarns and then into textiles could have a signifi cant impact
on a garment's lifecycle environmental footprint.
As for the fabrics themselves they may or may not be as environment-friendly
as you think. It might seem that organic cotton would
be a greener choice over synthetics. However, would your perception
change if you knew it takes hundreds of gallons of water to grow, dye
and treat one cotton shirt, and that many polyester shirts are now being
spun from recycled plastic bottles? What if you then consider that
synthetic fabrics made from recycled plastic may speed that plastic's
path to a landfi ll? According to Th e Guardian, PET bottles can be
recycled over 10 times. Th e same cannot be said for recycled plastic
The average person today buys 60 percent
more clothing than they did 20 years ago.
Image courtesy of International Coatings
Oct./Nov. 2023
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Impressions - October/November 2023

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