Understanding the Scale of the Problem

Plastic pollution from the apparel industry is multifaceted, involving packaging, end-of-life apparel waste, and fiber emissions during production and use. In 2019, the industry generated an estimated 8.3 million tons of plastic pollution, approximately 14% of the 60 million tons from all sectors. This plastic weight is equivalent to 820 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower, more than 23 times the weight of the Empire State Building, and almost 9 times the weight of the Golden Gate Bridge. This substantial contribution is mainly due to inadequate synthetic garment collection and treatment after disposal.

The alarming truth is that synthetic apparel waste, if not managed properly, becomes a significant contributor to macroplastic and microplastic pollution. Microplastics, defined as plastics less than 5 mm, are particularly concerning. Fiber shedding during the laundering of synthetic textiles represents a substantial portion of primary microplastic emissions into waterbodies.

The Invisible Threat: Microplastics

Microplastics receive widespread attention due to their pervasive presence in waterbodies, food, and even in the human body. Recently, microplastics have been found in human blood and in our reproductive organs.123456 However, the full picture includes unquantified microfiber emissions to the air from wearing and drying clothes, adding another layer to the pollution puzzle.

Moreover, the growing demand for fast fashion exacerbates the issue. Increased per capita sales and the doubling of clothing production over the last 15 years have led to significant plastic leakage. This leakage includes littering, illegal dumping, and inadequately managed landfills, contributing to the ongoing environmental degradation.

Global Plastic Waste and Leakage from Apparel

Plastic waste and plastic leakage are two intertwined but distinct issues within the broader challenge of plastic pollution. Plastic waste pollution encompasses all types of plastic waste adversely affecting the environment, including mismanaged waste, plastic litter, and microplastics. It includes plastic’s impact on marine and terrestrial ecosystems and human health. On the other hand, plastic leakage refers specifically to the portion of plastic waste that escapes waste management systems and ends up in natural environments.

This leakage often results from improper disposal, losses during collection and transportation, or dispersion from landfill sites. By understanding the nuances between plastic waste pollution and plastic leakage, we can better identify the sources and pathways of plastic contamination and develop more effective strategies to combat this growing environmental threat.

In 2019, global apparel consumption was approximately 32 million tons, with synthetic apparel accounting for 15 million tons. The apparel industry generated 21 million tons of plastic waste, predominantly from synthetic apparel, which contributes to 89% of the industry’s macroplastic waste.

End-of-life synthetic apparel is the largest contributor to plastic waste. This waste, if not properly managed, leads to significant environmental leakage. Synthetic end-of-life apparel makes up 81% of the total plastic waste from the global apparel industry. Plastic waste from the cotton apparel value chain is driven by packaging, with a small additional contribution from plastic mulching on cotton fields in some geographies. The plastic waste created by the other fibers value chains is almost entirely due to packaging.

Global cotton production is responsible for less than 1% of total plastic pollution (or 0.05 million metric tons). The cotton industry acknowledges this impact and is developing solutions through Cotton Incorporated research and innovations to reduce its impact on the field and resulting from plastic leakage.