Alleviation: An International Journal of Nutrition, Gender & Social Development, ISSN 2348-9340, Volume 11, Issue No 11 (2024): 1-15
© Arya PG College (College with Potential for Excellence Status by UGC) & Business Press India Publication, Delhi
http://apcjournals.com, www.aryapgcollege.ac.in
The Textile Industry: It’s Impact on Climate and the Environment
Sandeep Reen
Assistant Professor, Department of Clothing & Textiles
Guru Nanak Girls College, Yamuna Nagar
(Haryana), India
Email: Sandeepreen18@gmail.com
Abstract
In recent decades, the world has witnessed an increase in extreme weather events and natural disasters, with expectations for these occurrences to grow in the future. One of the significant contributors to these troubling conditions is the textile industry, second only to oil refining. The climate changes observed today are largely due to global warming and the rise in greenhouse gases. As one of the most polluting sectors, the textile industry bears a substantial responsibility due to its extensive use of energy, water, chemicals, and its significant generation of textile waste. The growing demand for fast fashion has led to the rapid consumption of natural resources, contributing to the acceleration of environmental degradation and climate change. The global phenomenon of mass clothing consumption is indirectly causing considerable harm to the environment. In response to the increasing environmental concerns and climate-related disasters, consumer preferences are shifting towards more sustainable and eco-friendly clothing practices. This shift is fostering greater awareness among future designers to prioritize environmentally friendly materials and processes, reducing the risks of ecological damage and negative environmental impacts
Keywords: Climate Change, Eco-friendly Practices, Environmental Impact, Ecological Footprint, Fast Fashion, Sustainable Fashion, Textile Industry.
Introduction
In recent decades, the world has experienced many extreme weather conditions and natural disasters, and the number is likely to increase in the future. There are so many factors that lead us all to such troubling situations (Brice & Thorpe 2021). The textile industry is one of those responsible for this, after oil refining. The climate changes often observed today are the result of global warming and increased greenhouse gases. The textile industry has a great responsibility to be the most polluting industry, because its ecological footprint shows a high use of energy, water, chemicals and the generation of textile waste in the environment. Natural resources are being used and consumed at an accelerating rate for the growth of fast fashion, which is seen as indirectly responsible for increased degradation and the occurrence of climate change. (Berg et. al. 2021). The mass consumption of clothes is a growing global phenomenon that indirectly causes a destructive effect on nature (Diddi et. al. 2019). Today the textile industry is considered to be at first place in using our natural resources for which it is also facing criticism in the society. Furthermore, it is responsible for maximum water and air pollution as well as poor working environment for its laborers leading them to various health issues. Such situation has resulted in significant pressure on the industry to reduce its bad environmental impacts (Armstrong et. al. 2016 & Roos et.al. 2017). Considering the recent unwanted climate changes, environmental problems and disasters on earth, consumer preferences have also shifted towards environmentally friendly practices when consuming clothes (Dabija et.al. 2017). Such initiatives increase the awareness of future designers that they use environment friendly substances in their business, thus reducing the risk of disasters and negative environmental effects. With the regular increment in the world population the demand for the textile products is also increasing so are the various challenges (Oerlikon 2010 & Lenzing 2017).
Impact of Textile Sector on Planet Earth
Today the textile sector of our country is giving huge negative impact on our planet earth. Beginning its life cycle from the raw material till waste generation in the end using different pesticides and chemicals for the growth of cotton plant to get the most usable fiber from it is causing disastrous effects on environment. Since cotton products are highly in demand so as to fulfill the need of customers, it is grown in large amounts and uses maximum water. Various researchers found that many toxic substances like silicon wax, flame retardant, ammonia and formaldehyde are used in producing conventional cottons. For an instance to make one pair of jeans cotton needed to grow, consumes 1800 gallons of water and on the other hand 2700 liters of water is needed in production of one cotton t-shirt. However, synthetics require less water though the dyeing and finishing of both consumes the same amount. These end processes involved in manufacturing of garments are responsible for maximum pollution of fresh water.
Still this is not the end textiles are further responsible for contaminating rivers and oceans with micro plastics which are similar to synthetic fibers and include polyester, acrylic, polyethylene and fibers used in clothing. This plastic is a substance which takes 500-1000 years to get degraded and earth cannot digest it .According to various reports most of micro plastics are released in the oceans after laundry of synthetic textiles which indirectly are the source of micro plastics before car tires.
Carbon Footprints and Textile Sector
Today Textile manufacturing is being responsible for the maximum carbon emissions as compared to the combined emissions from shipping and aviation (European Parliament 2021).
Textile sector further contributes almost 20%of water pollution during the dyeing and finishing steps of clothing manufacture (Morlet et.al. 2017).
The production of different natural as well as man-made varieties in textiles are considered to be most harmful ecologically. This journey of manufacturing till transportation of goods involves the different steps of production which contribute towards textiles carbon footprints. Dumping of textile wastes into landfills and its deterioration results in releasing various hazardous chemicals and greenhouse gases into the environment (Juanga et.al. 2022). Growth of fast fashion has accelerated the textiles carbon footprints with the production of low quality clothing and their cheap manufacturing process resulting in wastage of our natural resources. Such cheap clothing is discarded at greater pace with changing fashion which further contributes in increasing textile waste leading to further increment in landfills (Berg et. al.2021).
Shifting Towards Sustainable Textiles
Taking into view the increasing disastrous climate changes, environmental concerns and happening deforestation along with other negative impacts on the planet earth preferences of consumers regarding clothing consumption has altered. Today people are focusing more on environment friendly products. Manufacturers are much more concerned with the methods and materials being used which might cause minimum destruction of our natural resources further leading to sustainable future of the textile industry. They concentrate on manufacturing via green strategies including recycling and waste management of textiles (Esty & Winston 2009). Today instead of focusing on risks and disasters caused by the industry manufacturers are more concerned with growth and profitable opportunities by making use of sustainable strategies and selling eco-friendly textiles and goods (Chan 2001). Today consumers are shifting towards green consumption values and duties. They are adopting environment friendly buying behavior in which products are more energy efficient, recycled, biodegradable, less polluting and sustainable too. Conscious Consumers are today ready to pay more for green products to protect earth and contribute towards reducing pollution (Paco & Rapso 2008 and Dabija 2013). Further more effective branding and advertising based on eco-friendly approach can help shifting consumer attitudes towards more sustainable consumption (Pickett and Ozaki 2008).
Contribution of Government and Industry Towards Sustainable Textiles
To overcome the negative effects and impacts of textile manufacturing units, industry is now working towards uplifting balance between sustainability and profitability. Some still take this as costly investment. However various acts and policies are being launched which encourage the improvement in usage of waste water, reducing amount of hazardous chemicals in production process and also fresh water usage thus saving water. Manufacturers are now following various certifications and benchmarks which are leading to reduction in overall environmental footprints (Divya 2023). Government of India has also launched various policies which incentivize consumers to purchase more of eco-friendly products. Educating society about the use of various sustainable and green consumption and creating awareness towards proper labelling of the garments contribute in reducing the carbon footprints, thus saving the planet earth (Laughlin & Gold 1990).
Government assures the industry owners to follow the standards and norms while production of clothing which gives quality and safety too. They follow standards, assure durability and stability avoid using harmful substances and give complete information regarding fibers used through proper labelling of the end product.
Conclusion
Over few recent decades we are facing so many disastrous changes in the climate which are rather increasing slowly. Textile Industry is considered to contribute the most after oil refineries towards these disastrous changes and polluting the planet earth. Manufacturing of both natural as well as man-made fibers and fabrics causes emission of so many deadly gases and chemicals leading to contamination of water and air. Furthermore, the carbon footprints of synthetic garments are less as compared to the naturally grown cotton fibers which are highly in demand. However, both are causing same water pollution when dyed and finished. Today Textile manufacturing owners are shifting towards sustainable and green products so as to encourage and assure quality with safety. Consumers prefer buying ecofriendly textiles which reduce use of natural resources thus saving them. Today people are becoming aware enough and want only safe clothes and healthy environment. Government of India is also marking various benchmarks and norms standards to be followed by the unit owners which ensure production of safe environment friendly products and healthy environment.
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