The Circular Economy in Fashion: Reducing Water Consumption and Improving Sustainability
The fashion industry is widely recognised for its environmental impact, particularly its high water consumption, but with the rise of the circular economy, there is an opportunity to reduce water usage and improve sustainability.
Fashion is an industry that has been facing criticism for its environmental impact for several years now. It is a water-intensive industry, with an estimated 2,700 litres of water required to produce one cotton t-shirt. The fashion industry is responsible for the release of large amounts of wastewater, containing hazardous chemicals, into the environment. This not only affects the environment but also the health of workers in the industry and local communities. With the rise of the circular economy, the fashion industry has a significant opportunity to reduce its water consumption and improve its environmental impact.
The circular economy
The circular economy is an economic model that aims to reduce waste by keeping materials in use for as long as possible. The traditional linear economy, on the other hand, involves extracting resources, using them to produce goods, and then disposing of them after their useful life is over. The circular economy promotes the reuse and recycling of materials, which reduces the need for new resources and decreases waste.
In the context of fashion, the circular economy involves creating closed-loop systems where materials are continually reused and recycled. This can be done through various initiatives such as clothing swaps, second-hand stores, textile recycling programs, and material recovery facilities. By keeping materials in use for longer, the fashion industry can reduce its water consumption and reduce the amount of wastewater it produces.
H&M embracing a circular economy
One example of a company that is adopting a circular economy approach to fashion is H&M. The fast fashion giant has launched a recycling initiative where customers can bring in their old clothes to be recycled. The recycled material is then used to produce new garments, reducing the need for new resources and decreasing the amount of waste. H&M has also introduced a collection of clothing made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton and recycled polyester. By using sustainable materials, H&M reduces the amount of water required to produce its garments.
Levi’s Water<Less Initiative
Another company that is leading the way in sustainable fashion is Levi Strauss & Co. The denim company has implemented a Water<Less initiative, which aims to reduce the amount of water used in the manufacturing process. The initiative has resulted in a 96% reduction in water used in the finishing process of some products. Levi’s has also introduced a collection of denim made from recycled water bottles. By using recycled materials, Levi’s reduces the amount of water required to produce its denim.
Benefits of the circular economy
The circular economy approach to fashion not only reduces water consumption but also has economic benefits. By promoting the reuse and recycling of materials, the fashion industry can reduce its reliance on new resources, which can be expensive to extract and process. Additionally, recycling programs and material recovery facilities can create new job opportunities in the industry.
Overall, the fashion industry has a significant opportunity to reduce its water consumption and improve its environmental impact through the adoption of circular economy practices. By promoting the reuse and recycling of materials, the industry can reduce the need for new resources, decrease waste, and create economic opportunities. Initiatives such as clothing swaps, second-hand stores, textile recycling programs, and material recovery facilities can all play a role in creating a more sustainable fashion industry. Companies like H&M and Levi’s are leading the way in sustainable fashion and are showing that it is possible to be both environmentally and economically sustainable.
The take-out
Adopting circular economy practices in fashion can significantly reduce the industry’s water consumption and improve its environmental impact.
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