An Analysis on the Environmental Impact of the Fashion Industry

Abstract

The fashion industry is a large global sector. Cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution is spread out throughout the world with travel connecting all these pieces to deliver garments. With clothing accounting for 7% of the world’s exports, demand is high, and the sector is evidently growing. This projected growth, however, is not able to be sustained for much longer.

This thesis explores the current state of the industry, expanding on different metrics to grasp its impact on the environment. The lifecycle of textiles is used to get a holistic picture of the fashion world. With pressure on companies and individuals to change and adopt to needed sustainability efforts, there are already movements occurring to encourage a green industry. These are seen through alternative textiles, new technologies, and sustainable marketing. Studies reveal that consumers’ shopping behaviors do not always agree with their belief that current environmental status is a concern, which could pose new threat. With promising solutions emerging, the time to act and mobilize action to reshape the fashion industry is now.