Here are some key numbers about fashion’s impact on the planet and how consumers can make a difference.
7 to 10 – The average number of times a garment is worn before it is discarded, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Five – According to the Hot or Cool Institute think tank, the maximum number of new items that must be purchased each year to reach the 1.5 degree Celsius global warming limit set by the United Nations.
about 30% – Percentage of donated clothing that ends up in landfills or incinerators abroad, according to Hot or Cool. It can also drive prices down for local vendors if it floods the market.
1 second – According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, every second, the equivalent of a truckload of clothing is incinerated or buried in landfills.
100 billion – The number of new garments produced each year through the Clean Clothing Campaign. 1% – According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), less than 1% of the material used to make clothing is actually recycled into new clothing.
Many fast fashion companies say they can recycle old clothes into new ones, but in reality, the quality of the fabric is not suitable for making salable clothes.
30 degrees Celsius – Recommended washing temperature to extend the life of your clothes.
20/20/20- On average, the fashion consumption of the richest 20% of the world’s population causes 20 times higher emissions (say hot or cool) than that of the poorest 20%.
2023- France will pass a decree this year requiring all clothing sold in the country to be labeled with an accurate indication of its climate impact. The EU is expected to follow suit.
8 times – According to online consignment store thredUP, the used clothing market is growing eight times faster than the overall apparel market.
Double – Over the past 15 years, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that clothing production has nearly doubled, while clothing usage has declined by nearly 40% over the same period.
40% – Percentage of global consumers belonging to Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012), according to McKinsey & Company. Gen Z is both part of the problem and the solution when it comes to fast fashion. Gen Z makes up the majority of consumers, but they also want more sustainable fashion.