{"id":429,"date":"2022-02-19T17:10:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-19T17:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fashiondiscounts.uk\/?p=429"},"modified":"2024-02-06T19:41:09","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T19:41:09","slug":"sustainable-fashion-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fashiondiscounts.uk\/sustainable-fashion-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"28 Eye-Opening Sustainable Fashion Statistics for a Cleaner 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
While fashion companies are still primarily interested in growing or at least maintaining their market share, they\u2019re also eager to adopt environmentally responsible business models. After all, that\u2019s what consumers worldwide want\u2014and sustainable fashion statistics illustrate it.<\/p>
So what is sustainable fashion?<\/p>
The term refers to practises adopted by companies and consumers to reduce their negative environmental impact. Everything needs to be sustainable\u2014from the moment a supplier starts growing the fibres for production to our decision to discard that constricting old pair of jeans.<\/p>
Eco-friendly fashion isn\u2019t just a fad\u2014it\u2019s an integral part of the global effort to reduce pollution and protect the planet. In this article, we\u2019ll examine what the industry has done so far and what it still needs to do in its shift to more environmentally conscious modes of production.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t (Google Trends)<\/p> Sustainable fashion data shows that the interest in sustainable fashion is growing. The trend peaked in July 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the nation\u2019s rising health concerns. Its constant presence in global search engine queries over the last five years demonstrates that more and more people are taking the matter of environmentally friendly fashion seriously.<\/p> (Statista)<\/p> Market research related to sustainable fashion shows that only 4% of consumers in the UK claim to exclusively buy clothes from sustainable brands. Another 14% said they buy from both sustainable and non-sustainable brands. However, most respondents (67%) said they didn\u2019t know if the clothes they purchased in 2020 were from eco-friendly brands.<\/p> (McKinsey)<\/p> In 2020, we saw a significant increase in climate change awareness. According to sustainable fashion statistics, 67% of consumers now pay attention to the environmental impacts of their clothing. Additionally, 88% believe that reducing pollution requires even more work. On that note, 60% say they started putting more effort into reusing and recycling items in 2020.<\/p> (Statista)<\/p> Sustainable fashion statistics for the UK indicate that men in the UK have a greater appreciation for sustainable brands than women. There\u2019s also a difference in attitude among age groups. Namely, men aged 25\u201344 show more interest in buying sustainable brands. As for women, the preference for sustainable shopping was the highest in the 35\u201344 and 55+ age brackets.<\/p> (Deloitte)<\/p> This is one of the more encouraging eco-friendly fashion facts. Both environmental and economic concerns drove the trend of reducing purchases in 2020. However, this study focused on sustainability as the primary reason for consumers\u2019 changing behaviours. To that point, 34% of respondents said they started buying from sustainable brands for environmental reasons.<\/p> (Statista)<\/p> While this number is still minuscule compared to the rest of the fashion market, revenue from sustainable clothing in the UK has almost doubled since 2014. It has grown each year and the trend is accelerating.<\/p> (Statista)<\/p> The UK boasts a flourishing second-hand market, with 42% of consumers saying more than half of their wardrobe consists of second-hand fashion items.<\/p> Fashion statistics show that tops and T-shirts make up the largest part of this number, with coats in second and dresses in third place.<\/p> (Lyst)<\/p> Sustainable fashion trends<\/span> show continuous increase in sustainable search terms on fashion websites. This rising interest in purchasing eco-friendly clothes corresponds with the growing number of<\/span> sustainable fashion brands<\/span><\/a> ranging from small businesses to larger corporations.<\/span><\/p> It\u2019s reassuring that this growing interest isn\u2019t exclusive to the UK. Other countries in this Lyst report also saw increases ranging from 14% in Russia to an impressive 114% in Denmark.<\/p> (Lyst)<\/p> Searches and views for biodegradable, recycled, vegan, and mushroom-based clothes and footwear grew significantly in 2021. While the interest in collaborations decreased somewhat, new trends in sustainable fashion show that people are interested in better materials, repairs, and deadstock clothing, which garnered 9.5 million views on TikTok.<\/p> (Lyst)<\/p> While social media plays a role in fueling fast fashion, it is also highly useful in rethinking the whole process and turning to slow fashion. Pre-ordering is a method of slow fashion, reducing waste and overproduction.<\/p> Following the growth of social commerce, in which fashion will have the highest share of all industries<\/a>, slow fashion could become even more prominent.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t (Global Fashion Agenda)<\/p> In 2017, some of the world\u2019s largest fashion companies joined the 2020 Commitment. Circularity is more than an ethical fashion trend, as evidenced by the Commitment\u2019s encouraging results. While they didn\u2019t reach all 207 set targets, the participating companies still achieved more than 63% of their goals over just three years.<\/p> (Research and Markets)<\/p> The sustainable fashion market shrunk from $6.35 billion in 2019 to $6.14 billion in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact. But the sustainable fashion market size will keep growing in the coming years \u2014 experts predict it will reach $8.25 billion by 2023.<\/p> (GlobeNewswire)<\/p> Eco-friendly production is at the centre of the sustainable fashion market, statistics show. Still, many ethical fashion segments overlap. Ethical fashion brands often try to address different issues, from animal cruelty and fair trade to inclusivity and workers\u2019 rights.<\/p> The eco-friendly segment is projected to grow at an annual rate of 11.6% in the coming years, making it the market\u2019s fastest-growing sector. Currently, animal cruelty-free is the largest ethical fashion segment with a 43.9% market share.<\/p> (Statista)<\/p> H&M and C&A rank as Europe\u2019s top two retailers in sustainable cotton policies. Although H&M has long been synonymous with fast fashion, its efforts in reorienting toward sustainable practises are setting standards for other fashion companies to follow.<\/p> Fashion industry statistics show that some of the largest companies have a long way to go. The lowest-ranked retailers on the cotton sustainability index are Zara\u2019s parent company Inditex with a score of 15.9, the Irish retailer Primark with 16.7, and the UK-based New Look with 19.5.<\/p> (Statista)<\/p> Among the world\u2019s 20 most transparent fashion companies, OVS overtook H&M in 2021. OVS now ranks first with 78 points. H&M, The North Face and Timberland follow with 66 points each. Transparency is equally crucial for companies and for other businesses looking for examples and experiences they can learn from.<\/p> (Fashion Revolution)<\/p> Many companies have pledged to improve their environmental and social impact. However. the Fashion Revolution\u2019s Fashion Transparency Index shows that most companies don\u2019t disclose the data at the raw level, where most carbon emissions take place.<\/p> On a brighter note, transparency has improved somewhat in 2021 concerning supply chain traceability.<\/p> (Bain, Statista)<\/p> Reselling items could help luxury fashion companies adopt a more sustainable business model that would improve their profit margins and help them appeal to younger consumers.<\/p> While the concept of sustainability hardly seems compatible with luxury, 42% of millennials cite sustainability as the most crucial factor in purchasing luxury goods. This is important, as millennials will soon make up the majority of consumers in the luxury market.<\/a><\/p> (Statista)<\/p> The second-hand, resale, recommerce, or preloved clothes market provides one of the most eco-friendly ways to purchase items. According to sustainable fashion statistics, this segment should end 2022 with a value of $43 billion. As more consumers turn to ethical fashion, its value could increase to over $77 billion in 2025.<\/p> (Depop)<\/p> Apart from companies\u2019 social impacts, 60% of Gen Zers paid special attention to products with a reduced carbon footprint when purchasing a product. Also, another 45% named using environmentally friendly materials as the deciding factor. One of the most popular eco-friendly fabrics is organic cotton, and here\u2019s why organic cotton is better (and why it isn\u2019t).<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t (McKinsey)<\/p> If the fashion industry continues decarbonising at its current pace, its carbon emissions in 2030 will be the same as in 2018, indicating no progress whatsoever. For the annual temperature growth to stay at the current 1.5-degree level, the industry needs to halve that number to no more than 1.1 billion tonnes a year over the next decade.<\/p> (McKinsey)<\/p> Along with companies, consumers need to take practical measures to reduce their carbon footprint. After all, eco-friendly clothing isn\u2019t only about buying from sustainable brands but also about vital, environmentally conscious behaviours.<\/p> The first step is to buy less and opt for higher-quality garments that last longer. But the secret is in the care\u2014skipping one in six washing loads, reducing the temperature to 30 degrees, air drying when possible, and turning old clothes in for recycling. Doing all this could help prevent another 186 million tonnes of CO2 from making the atmosphere stuffy and hot.<\/p> (McKinsey)<\/p> Fashion facts point to the same conclusion. Cleaner, more efficient energy needs to drive all stages of fashion industry operations, from the factory to the shopping mall. Just improving energy efficiency accounts for 45% of this feat, while the rest relies on switching to cleaner energy sources. This is also one of the greatest challenges the industry faces.<\/p> (McKinsey)<\/p> Not only is overproduction unsustainable, but it also results in 40% of clothing being sold at a discount. To significantly reduce their carbon footprint, fashion companies must invest in more precise demand-forecasting technology and provide incentives to regulate overproduction.<\/p> The 158 million tonnes of CO2 would account for 9% of the total required carbon footprint reduction. While relatively small, it would still be a significant step in the right direction.<\/p> (The Ellen MacArthur Foundation)<\/p> Reducing the amount of waste in the clothing industry has to be a priority in every phase\u2014from design and production to clothes distribution, consumer use, and end-of-life treatment. This is vital because about 10% of the fibre is lost through offcuts during the production stage.<\/p> Another 2% is lost on products that never make it to the market, and 73% is discarded after use. Textile recycling facts point to a $100 billion loss every year due to poor handling of clothing.<\/p> See what you can do with your old clothes <\/span>to be a part of the solution.<\/span><\/a><\/p> (Textile Exchange)<\/p> Polyester is the most widely used fibre in the world\u2014it made for 52% of all fibre production in 2019. But textile recycling statistics reveal that only 14% of it returns into the production cycle, and the rest ends up in landfills and oceans. This is why fibre and plastic recycling initiatives like Nike\u2019s Space Hippie and H&M\u2019s Loop are a big step toward a more ethical approach to fashion.<\/p> (European Parliament)<\/p> Despite the undeniable appeal of fast fashion, facts point to it as one of the world\u2019s biggest polluters. Half a million tonnes of microfibres are released into the ocean every year just from washing synthetic clothing. This is why longer-lasting clothes and better care methods are vital for reducing the environmental impact related to people\u2019s fashion choices.<\/p> (PayPal Newsroom)<\/p> Fast fashion statistics show that the industry is losing its appeal<\/a> in the wake of the pandemic and the ongoing environmental crisis. In the next few years, the fast fashion industry is expected to lose even more of its market share in favour of fashion recommerce and sustainable options.<\/p> (Fashion Checker)<\/p> One of the most terrifying facts about fashion is that most companies don\u2019t provide decent working conditions for their employees. While not directly related to the environment, this is still a sustainability issue from the human rights perspective. This refers to equal rights for women (who make up the majority of employees) and access to health care and education.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t All industries, including fashion, need to work on becoming sustainable within a very short timeframe. While <\/span>sustainable fashion industry statistics<\/span> show what companies need to do, they also suggest that consumers have a vital role in the process.<\/span><\/p> In a world where the temperature rise has been kept below 1.5 degrees, people\u2019s wardrobes look different. They are smaller, the clothes have a longer lifespan, mending and upcycling are not reserved for the hippies, and the second-hand and rental fashion markets are thriving.<\/span><\/p> Luckily, fashionistas are aware of this, and we can already see glimpses of a brighter future. The message is simple: carefully choosing clothes to buy and purchasing fewer high-quality pieces doesn\u2019t only simplify our morning routines\u2014it also helps save our planet.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Sustainable fashion refers to companies and individuals implementing environmentally friendly, sustainable practises in clothing production, sale, and use. For brands, this includes more ethical material sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, retail, collection, and recycling.<\/p> For consumers, the practice involves buying fewer clothes, using them longer, taking care of them in an eco-friendly way, and recycling or repurposing a garment at the end of its life.<\/p> The fashion industry is unsustainable in more ways than one. The most concerning issue is its enormous carbon footprint, which contributes to climate change and temperature rise. Another issue is water consumption, as the industry uses 1.5 trillion litres of water every year.<\/p> Fashion is also a major pollutant\u2014the current garment production processes require heavy pesticide use and treating textiles with toxic substances. These chemicals (e.g., lead, mercury, and arsenic) pollute waterways, affecting water ecosystems and people living near them.<\/p> Fashion needs to be sustainable for the same reason other human activities do: curbing climate change and pollution. If the industry and its consumers don\u2019t adopt sustainable practises quickly enough, the adverse environmental effects will be felt throughout the world.<\/p> Fashion is one of the world\u2019s greatest polluters, releasing toxic chemicals into waterways and microplastics into the ocean. The fashion industry is also the second-highest consumer of water<\/a>, affecting drought-stricken areas particularly harshly.<\/p> Luckily, you can take some steps to reduce your wardrobe\u2019s effect on the environment. Buy less, wear your clothes longer, wash them less frequently at colder temperatures, and finally, gift or recycle any items you don\u2019t want to wear anymore.<\/p> The ethical fashion market was estimated at $5.84 billion in 2021. With rising environmental awareness, it is expected to reach $8.3 billion by 2025.<\/p> Yes. According to Shopify, 75% of consumers are prepared to pay more for an eco-friendly product. Also, sustainable fashion products such as recycled trainers, organic cotton garments, or vegan leather items are becoming increasingly popular which further increases demand.<\/p> No* would be the shortest answer. However! While increasing production in any way isn\u2019t exactly sustainable, changing habits on a global level and pushing companies to improve their environmental and social impact is absolutely necessary. Opting for \u201cless unsustainable brands\u201d is one way to do it.<\/p> More and more customers want their fashion to be sustainable. According to sustainable fashion statistics, a brand\u2019s attitude towards sustainability is crucial in making a purchasing decision for 67% of consumers. What\u2019s more, 63% say they want brands to talk about their sustainability practises to raise awareness of this issue and achieve greater transparency.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Sources:<\/span><\/p>Key Sustainable Fashion Facts and Stats (Editor\u2019s Choice)<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The Rise of Sustainable Fashion in Numbers<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
1. The interest in sustainable fashion brands in the UK is steadily growing.<\/strong><\/h4>
2. Close to one-fifth of UK consumers bought sustainable fashion items in 2020.<\/strong><\/h4>
3. 67% of consumers consider sustainable materials to be a factor in purchasing a fashion item.<\/strong><\/h4>
4. 53% of men and 47% of women in the UK buy from sustainable brands.<\/strong><\/h4>
5. 39% of UK consumers started buying fewer new items amid the pandemic.<\/strong><\/h4>
6. The sustainable fashion market size in the UK equalled 57 million in 2020.<\/strong><\/h4>
7. UK second-hand sales experienced an uptick in 2021, growing 27.2% compared to 2020.<\/strong><\/h4>
8. UK fashion searches for the terms \u201corganic\u201d, \u201csecond-hand\u201d, and \u201cvegan\u201d rose by 17% in 2020.<\/strong><\/h4>
9. Lyst reported a 178% page view increase for \u201cvegan leather\u201d in 2021.<\/strong><\/h4>
10. Searches for pre-order products grew 64% in 2021.<\/strong><\/h4>
Sustainable Fashion Industry Statistics<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
11. Only 12.5% of fashion companies pledged to implement the 2020 Circular Fashion System Commitment.<\/strong><\/h4>
The goals aimed at transforming the companies\u2019 business model to a more circular system include collecting and reselling pre-owned clothes, using recycled materials, and adopting circular design strategies.<\/p>12. The ethical fashion market decreased by 3.24% in 2020.<\/strong><\/h4>
13. In the coming years, environmentally friendly clothing will be sustainable fashion\u2019s fastest-growing segment.<\/strong><\/h4>
14. With a 77.4 score, H&M is Europe\u2019s leader in sustainable cotton use.<\/strong><\/h4>
15. In 2021, OVS and H&M were the most transparent about their environmental and social practises.<\/strong><\/h4>
16. Only 17% of brands are transparent about their annual carbon footprint at raw material level.<\/strong><\/h4>
17. Embracing resale in the luxury market could result in a 40% profit margin increase by 2030.<\/strong><\/h4>
18. The global second-hand fashion market will reach $43 billion in 2022.<\/strong><\/h4>
19. 75% of Gen Z respondents said they bought pre-owned clothes to reduce consumption.<\/strong><\/h4>
Sustainable Fashion Facts: Environmental and Economic Factors<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
20. The fashion industry is responsible for 2.1 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.<\/strong><\/h4>
21. 21% of projected emission savings can be achieved by reforming consumer behaviour.<\/strong><\/h4>
22. Switching to cleaner, more efficient energy sources could help reduce fashion\u2019s carbon footprint by 63%.<\/strong><\/h4>
23. By stopping overproduction, the industry could reduce its CO2 emissions by 158 million tonnes over the next decade.<\/strong><\/h4>
24. 87% of the fibre used for clothing ends up in landfills and incinerators.<\/strong><\/h4>
25. Only 14% of polyester gets recycled.<\/strong><\/h4>
26. Synthetic fibres account for 35% of microplastics released into the oceans.<\/strong><\/h4>
27. 46% of fast fashion retailers reported a decrease in purchases in 2020.<\/strong><\/h4>
28. 93% of brands don\u2019t pay their workers a living wage.<\/strong><\/h4>
In Conclusion: Why Is Sustainable Fashion Important?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
FAQ<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
What is the meaning of sustainable fashion?<\/strong><\/h4>
How is the fashion industry unsustainable?<\/strong><\/h4>
Why should fashion be sustainable?<\/strong><\/h4>
How bad is fashion for the environment?<\/strong><\/h4>
How big is the market for sustainable fashion?<\/strong><\/h4>
Is sustainable fashion profitable?<\/strong><\/h4>
Is sustainable fashion really sustainable?<\/strong><\/h4>
What is the demand for sustainable fashion?<\/strong><\/h4>