European consumption of textiles has a considerable environmental impact. The rise of "fast fashion" characterised by mass-producing low-cost clothing replicating high-fashion trends, has led to a dramatic increase in textile production and waste generation. In this chapter, we will explore the challenges and impact of the textiles sector on the environment and climate change. You will also learn about the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles and what that means for the future of textile use.
The way people get rid of unwanted clothes has also changed, with items being thrown away rather than donated.
Since 1996, the amount of clothes bought in the EU per person has increased by 40% following a sharp fall in prices, which has reduced the life span of clothing. Europeans buy nearly 26 kilos of textiles and discard about 11 kilos of them every year. Used clothes can be exported outside the EU, but are mostly (87%) incinerated or landfilled. LINK
Because clothes are becoming cheaper and more readily accessible through online shopping, the way people get rid of unwanted clothes has also changed. Globally less than 1% of clothes are recycled as clothing, partly due to inadequate technology.
