Globally, tens of millions of tons of cotton are cultivated annually, requiring significant amounts of water, fertilisers and pesticides. This demand for and production of inexpensive cotton is contributing to soil degradation and the loss of biodiversity in the ecosystems where it is cultivated. Cotton production accounts for approximately 2.6% of the global water footprint for consumables, as well as 4.7% of the global use of pesticides that are deemed hazardous by the World Health Organisation.
The demand for indigo dye remains high globally, due to its use in dyeing denim blue. The prevalent synthetic indigo dye is produced from petroleum-based aniline in a high-temperature process involving formaldehyde and cyanide (poisons). It is claimed that over 50% of the world's supply is manufactured in Inner Mongolia, where the production process is highly secretive. Furthermore, approximately 20% of industrial water pollution globally originates from fabric dyeing, with some factories, particularly in Asia, discovered to be discharging wastewater into nearby rivers and groundwater, impacting crops and drinking water sources.
Leather belts, shoes, boots, jackets coats and purses remain popular fashion items. The current forecast indicates a 5% annual increase in demand for leather goods from 2022 (based on a $100 billion annual global leather industry). While reports and statistics vary, the livestock sector is estimated to generate 14% of all global greenhouse gas emissions.
Rubber-soled trainers are now a fashion essential globally. As per Verified Market Research, the global industrial rubber market was valued at USD 31.4 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 46.66 billion by 2030. Rubber production, essential for manufacturing stretchy and waterproof footwear, has environmental consequences. The global natural rubber production, primarily based in South-East Asia and obtained from latex-producing trees and plants, contributes to deforestation, water pollution and soil degradation. The man-made alternative, synthetic rubber, is derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel. However, the heating process required for shaping synthetic rubber creates air pollution.
The fashion industry's supply chain of raw materials, from across the globe, to meet increased demands for profit, as well as for more affordable consumer clothing, has resulted in large quantities of waste production significantly harming the environment. To learn more about the increasing response to the environmental impact of clothing production, please refer to Sustainable Fashion Part iii: https://www.stylemap.com/article/sustainable-fashion-the-changing-supply-chain.