The Problem
Clothing waste facts:
2,001,342 clothing waste just in Europe alone!Â
Europe is the second largest consumer of textiles in the world, after the United States
The average lifespan of a piece of clothing in Europe is just 2.2 years.
In 2019, Europeans generated an estimated 6.3 million tonnes of textile waste
Only 25% of textiles in Europe are currently recycled or reused, with the remaining 75% either incinerated or sent to landfill
Synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon and acrylic take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to the accumulation of textile waste
Fast fashion, which encourages frequent purchases of cheap, disposable clothing, is a major contributor to clothing waste in Europe.
Overproduction and overconsumption, fueled by the fashion industry's desire for profit and growth, also contribute to clothing waste
In addition to environmental damage, clothing waste has significant social and economic impacts, including exploitation of garment workers and decreased support for local textile industries