How to reduce the carbon footprint of your fashion choices?

What is carbon footprint

We are all contributing to our carbon footprint whether we know it or not. Carbon footprint is described as the total amount of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide Co2 and methane) that are generated by our actions.

Things that can increase your carbon footprint can be driving to work in your car rather than taking public transport. A way of decreasing your footprint can be recycling every day. Every action you take can help or worsen our global greenhouse gas emission.

How we purchase our clothing has a significant impact on the climate and footprint. Currently, the fashion industry is responsible for 5% of greenhouse gas emissions. This is set to grow if nothing is done about it. Most emissions come from raw materials like polyester and nylon that absorb a lot of water and power, and impacting our footprint.

Improving the way the fashion industry use their materials would have a huge impact. For example switching to materials like organic linen and cotton that come from the earth. The need for more sustainable business practices is imperative. By reaching zero net greenhouse gas emissions will requires changes in how we produce and consumer them.

 Here are some stats

1.    Washing your clothes release 500,000 tons of microfibres into the ocean each year. This is equivalent to 50 billion plastic bottles.

2.    Producing polyester releases double the carbon emissions than cotton.  It is estimated that around 2/3 of the harmful climate impact over the life time comes from the raw materials stage. The use of synthetics for production is highly energy-intensive. By switching to sustainable materials, cuts emissions by 46%.

3.    Around 20% of wastewater comes from fabric dying. The fashion industry is responsible for 20% of all industrial water pollution worldwide. This impacts our access to clean drinking water and also impacts sea life.

4.    The global fashion industry emits 1.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year. This is more than the amount produced by international flights, which is alarming.

5.    Brands like Zara produce 24 collections per year. Fast fashion brands produce many garments however, of the clothes produced 85% ends up in landfill and only 20% gets recycled.

6.    The fashion industry was responsible for 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2015. Around 70 million barrels of oil a year are used to make polyester fibres in our clothes.

How to shop better

Materials

One thing consumers can do is buy from brands that support a circular economy and support recycling and reusing products. A brand is energy efficient if they use natural materials that are biodegradable. Lower emissions mean a lower carbon footprint. Keep an eye out for brands that are aware of energy sources in production.  

Hundred Line designs quality, timeless garments for men. We use materials like linen and cotton and we value the planet. Our garments are made with quality and meaning, and we ensure we have safety standards across our supply chain. 

Wearing what you have instead of throwing them out will already reduce your emissions per wear. Donating clothes you no longer are for can also reduce our footprint. At Hundred Line we use natural colours that can be worn all season round, there are many combinations you can create with our garments.

Water use

Carbon offsetting is a way of compensating for emissions and normally involves investments in environmental projects that reduce the amount of greenhouse gases. Often the CO2 emissions that make up the carbon footprint can also come from the electricity used when washing your clothes. The average household does almost 400 loads of laundry every year, consuming about 60,000 litres of water.

Air drying and cold cycling can reduce our footprint, as it does not use any energy, only nature. To reduce fading, turn your clothes inside out. At Hundred Line, we advise customers to ‘machine cold wash’ their garments. This helps you save on heating but also increases the longevity of your clothes.

Transport

Shopping locally can reduce transportation costs. Even if garments are sustainably manufactured, the cost to transport can impact the environment. Reducing the amount we online shop can also have an impact. Online shopping contributes to the fast fashion culture and returning items can double the emissions from transporting the goods back.

If we stop buying things that have lower quality, it may incentivise producers to improve the quality of their garments. Hence, consumers benefit through durability and it helps our wallets and the environment. Consumers should change their impulsive fast fashion habits and invest in quality clothing that is long-lasting. Consumers must stop thinking of clothes as disposable, and adopt circular fashion principles that treat garments with care throughout their life cycle.