The textile and fashion sector relies heavily on synthetic fibres made from fossil fuels, which break down into microplastics over time. The fashion world produces around 92 million tonnes of textile waste each year Climate and Environment
Unsustainable consumption and production practices are destroying the planet, scientists warn. Between 2.1 and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated each year worldwide – from textiles and plastic packaging to discarded electronics and expired food products. Waste disposal services are unable to cope with such an avalanche, and around 2.7 billion people live in regions where there are no solid waste collection services at all, so they use open landfills to dispose of their waste.
Pollution of the planet with waste threatens human health, costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars a year, and exacerbates the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
The world produces about 92 million tons of textile waste each year: that’s the equivalent of a garbage truck dumping a full load of clothes into landfills every second. Between 2000 and 2015, global clothing production doubled, while its lifespan decreased by 36 percent.
The textile sector relies heavily on synthetic fibres made from fossil fuels, which over time break down into microplastics. Discarded clothing often ends up in countries in the Global South, where inadequate disposal results in huge landfills and serious environmental and social consequences.
Tackling this problem requires systemic change through sustainable circular production, repair and reuse. Zero waste has a key role to play.
Next month, the world will mark the third annual International Zero Waste Day. Last year, millions of people learned about this day thanks to the UN information campaign on social networks.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) call on governments, civil society, business and academia, women and youth to take part in international, national, regional and local initiatives to create zero waste production.
This year, UNEP and UN-Habitat are once again launching a campaign designed to draw attention to the problems associated with the production, consumption and disposal of textiles and clothing, as well as the benefits of zero waste production. Events aimed at developing dialogue and cooperation in the field of zero waste practices will be held in different cities around the world.