Globally, tens of millions of tons of cotton are cultivated annually, requiring significant amounts of water, fertilisers, and pesticides. This demand for inexpensive cotton is contributing to soil degradation and the loss of biodiversity in the ecosystems where it is cultivated, with cotton production accounting for approximately 2.6% of the global water footprint for consumables and the use of pesticides that are deemed hazardous by the World Health Organisation.
The demand for indigo dye is high 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.
Approximately 20% of industrial water pollution globally originates from fabric dyeing, with some factories discovered to be discharging wastewater into nearby rivers and groundwater, impacting crops and drinking water sources.
The 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.
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 in South-East Asia and obtained from latex-producing trees and plants, contributes to deforestation, water pollution, and soil degradation. In contrast, synthetic rubber is derived from petroleum, a fossil fuel. The heating process required for shaping synthetic rubber leads to air pollution.
The fashion industry's supply of raw materials to meet consumer clothing demands has resulted in significant waste production 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).