Еcology in sewing perspective
Every year a large amount of textile waste is generated in the communal economy. Although it is classified as biodegradable, this classification is only partially justified, since a large part of textile waste does not decompose well. Combustion creates dangerous gases for the environment, and the use of such technology is possible only at sufficiently large waste incineration plants equipped with effective devices for cleaning flue gases.
1. Water pollution
Often, the color and print on the fabric is applied with the help of toxic chemicals. According to the Independent, the fabric dyeing process is the second largest water polluter in the world after agriculture. According to Greenpeace research, some clothing dye chemicals are carcinogenic, hormone-disrupting, and accumulate in the body.
It takes 7,000 liters of water to make one pair of jeans, and 2,700 liters to make a regular T-shirt.
2. Soil pollution
Growing cotton requires a lot of water and pesticides, which can lead to drought. Especially in developing countries.
Unwanted clothes often end up in landfills with other waste, contaminating land and water.
Thrown in the trash, polyester clothing decomposes like plastic.
3. Production of garbage
The textile industry generates $500 billion worth of waste each year.
Mass market companies encourage consumers to update their wardrobe four or more times a year. As a result, excess clothing ends up in the trash - this is how we waste the resources that were used for its production.
Expensive and mass-market brands often destroy the surplus of their products - they burn brand new unsold clothes. This is how companies try to avoid reputational losses and maintain brand status.
Most clothes from global brands are produced in third world countries: at the expense of cheap labor and resources. Initially, the model of mass production in developing countries was perceived as a win-win. Developed countries get cheap clothes and third world countries get jobs.
On April 24, 2013, a collapse occurred at the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh, as a result of which more than a thousand people died and more than two thousand were injured. The building collapsed due to disregard of safety regulations.
Working conditions at the factory were unacceptable and dangerous. People worked 14 hours a day, there was no fire safety in the building, workers' rights were not respected.
Child labor is often used in such factories, where children work at the same level as adults.
More and more specialists from various fields point out that the modern fashion industry has serious shortcomings: from non-compliance with working conditions to overuse and pollution of natural resources. For example, the textile industry, which is part of the fashion industry, produces more carbon dioxide than aviation and shipping combined. IN 2015, THE FASHION INDUSTRY USED 98 MILLION TONS OF OIL. According to forecasts, in 2050 the figure will reach 300 million tons. And oil is a non-renewable resource.
For this reason, it is recommended to use different procedures for recycling and upcycling textile waste. In order to solve the problem of textile waste around the world, the textile industry is developing a number of initiatives aimed at reducing the negative impact on the environment and the community. One such measure is the use of textiles.