Fast fashion and how to reduce its environmental impact

According to European studies, the consumption of textiles is the fourth largest cause of environmental impact and climate change on our continent, after food, housing and transport. The textile industry is also the third largest consumer of water. The average European consumer throws away 11 kg of textile material per year. Fast fashion, involving the production of low-quality, low-cost items with a fairly limited lifespan, magnifies the already harmful environmental impact.

The Ministry for Consumer Protection has recently supported the development of a study carried out by Caritas on textile flows in Luxembourg. The research was based on bibliographic and statistical data as well as on interviews with the industry’s stakeholders in Luxembourg. It showed that 12,26 kg of clothing and textiles are thrown away per person per year. STATEC data indicate that the proportion of the household budget spent on clothing and footwear in Luxembourg has almost halved over the last 26 years (1993-2019). This research shows that total textile waste generated per capita has increased by 33% in 15 years (between 2003 and 2018). Our hypothesis is that the decrease in the household budget does not reflect a decrease in the quantity consumed but in the quality consumed.

The European Commission has recently presented a new European strategy for sustainable textiles, which aims to tackle the fast fashion phenomenon, in terms of both production and consumption, with measures for product design and consumption.

In general, we can rethink the need to renew our wardrobe faster and faster. The first thing to do is to be mindful when we buy, especially when it comes to our motives, by asking ourselves the question "Do I really need a new item or is this perhaps an unnecessary or recreational purchase?”. A second lever for action is extending the life cycle of clothing in a general context of changing our consumption habits, trying, for example, to repair or upcycle our clothes. Although there are only a few fledgling initiatives in Luxembourg, upcycling helps to extend the life cycle of clothes. According to the data analysed, only 0,02% of textiles and clothing thrown away per year in Luxembourg are currently being up-cycled. Finally, we can also turn to second-hand clothing shops or initiatives and favour brands with confirmed environmental, social and sustainability claims.

Consumers are increasingly concerned about the impact of their purchases and often do not trust statements on labels. On the other hand, they are faced with a jungle of logos and labels certifying different aspects related to production conditions, commodities and fibre processing. It is therefore important, before you buy, to consult the labels critically and obtain more information about the claims, via recognised independent organisations/platforms. New European legislative requirements will soon help to combat greenwashing more effectively. 

Sources :

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/fr/qanda_22_2015

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/publications/textiles-strategy_fr

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/publications/textiles-strategy_fr

https://mpc.gouvernement.lu/fr.html