Fashion’s Environmental Impact: From Greenwashing to Biodiversity Loss

Fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world, with far-reaching consequences for our planet. This collection of resources dives deep into the environmental costs of the fashion industry, from water usage and pollution to deforestation and biodiversity loss. Learn how greenwashing misleads consumers, the connection between fashion and the oceans, and the urgency of addressing Earth Overshoot Day. With expert insights on how fashion harms nature and contributes to climate change, this page offers actionable solutions for more sustainable consumption and mindful fashion choices.

Fashion & the Environment 

The fashion industry significantly impacts the environment, particularly through resource depletion, pollution, and waste generation. Consider this your 101 Guide on everything you need to know.

 

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Fashion & Forests 

The fashion industry significantly impacts forests through its use of wood-based fabrics like viscose, rayon, and modal. While these can be more sustainable than synthetic options, they are often sourced from ancient and endangered forests, contributing to deforestation.

 

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Fashion’s Contribution to Biodiversity Loss 

The fashion industry has a significant damaging impact on biodiversity, throughout the production process as well as during wear, care and disposal. The biggest threat: habitat loss.

 

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Fashion & the Oceans 

Fashion’s impact on the environment doesn’t stop once our clothes are made. Textiles are the largest source of both primary and secondary microplastics, accounting for 34.8% of global microplastic pollution, with around 700,000 microfibres being released in every wash cycle.

 

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Earth Logic Fashion Research 

It’s time we re-evaluate the relationship between our clothes and the environment — not just in how they’re made, but in how we wear, care for, and discard them, so fashion becomes a force for regeneration rather than depletion.

 

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Reel: Don’t Fall for these Greenwashing Traps 

Greenwashing — when brands use vague marketing terms to communicate their “sustainable” initiatives whether that relates to carbon emissions, water use, fabric composition or recycling — has long been a concern for activists and others doing the work to educate consumers on fashion’s harmful practices. Think you can spot these in the wild?

 

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