The fashion industry’s annual water usage, a staggering 93 billion cubic meters (21 trillion gallons), equivalent to filling 37 million Olympic pools, is a startling reality per the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Dyeing, alongside finishing, stands out as the most environmentally harmful and energy-intensive process in clothing production. To put things in perspective, crafting just one pair of jeans devours approximately 7,500 liters (2,000 gallons) of water, spanning from raw cotton cultivation to the final product, as highlighted by the United Nations. Achieving that iconic denim blue involves multiple dunks in synthetic indigo dye baths, followed by chemical treatments and washes to attain softness and texture. For the coveted “worn-in” look, even more chemical processes are needed, involving acids, enzymes, bleach, and formaldehyde. Remember, the impact extends beyond jeans; the fashion industry as a whole contributes significantly to these environmental concerns.
Regan. (2020, September 28). Asian rivers are turning black. And our colorful closets are to blame. cnn.
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Photographer Teona Swift