Textile waste is a pressing global environmental and socio-economic issue. The textile industry, driven by fast fashion, contributes significantly to pollution, resource depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. This waste burden intersects directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those aimed at responsible consumption, climate action, and sustainable economic growth. Addressing textile waste has the potential to mitigate pollution and support progress toward several SDGs, including SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) (UNECE, 2022).
The Impact of Textile Waste on the Environment
Textile waste is estimated to contribute approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and is responsible for 20% of global wastewater pollution, primarily due to the chemical-laden dyeing processes and significant water usage in production. Each second, a truckload of textile waste is either incinerated or discarded in landfills, producing greenhouse gases that exacerbate climate change (UNEP, 2022). Additionally, microfibers shed from synthetic textiles during washing processes pollute water bodies and contribute to oceanic microplastic contamination, impacting marine life and ecosystems (World Economic Forum, 2022).
Effects on SDGs and Sustainable Development
The waste generated by the fashion and textile industries hampers sustainable development efforts across multiple SDGs. Key SDG intersections include:
1. SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: Textile waste and production pollute water resources, as the dyeing process releases hazardous chemicals into water bodies. Addressing textile waste could improve water quality, especially in areas where wastewater treatment infrastructure is lacking (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2023).
2. SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: The textile industry’s wasteful, linear model challenges efforts to create sustainable consumption and production practices. A shift to a circular economy model, emphasizing recycling and reusability, could reduce the sector’s material footprint and extend the lifespan of clothing, aligning closely with SDG 12 targets (UNECE, 2022).
3. SDG 13 – Climate Action: Textile production’s significant carbon footprint means the industry must adopt sustainable practices to contribute meaningfully to climate action goals. Transforming the textile sector could reduce emissions through improved manufacturing, waste management, and recycling processes, directly supporting SDG 13’s climate action objectives (UNEP, 2022).
Pollution and Human Health Concerns
Beyond environmental degradation, textile waste has severe implications for human health. Toxic chemicals used in textile production can leach into soil and groundwater, impacting surrounding communities. Exposure to these pollutants is associated with respiratory diseases, skin conditions, and other health risks for factory workers and nearby residents (UNEP, 2022). Textile waste also exacerbates soil degradation, affecting local agriculture and food security, an issue highlighted by SDG 15 (Life on Land).
The Potential of Recycling and Circular Economy in Textile Management
While recycling is challenging due to the mixed material composition of textiles and the degradation of fibers during recycling, innovations like chemical recycling are gaining traction. For example, technologies like re-polymerization can break down polyester to its molecular level, allowing it to be reused in high-quality products. These developments underscore the importance of a circular economy approach, where textiles are designed to be reused, remanufactured, and recycled (World Economic Forum, 2022).
Countries with Textile Waste Urgency
Countries with the highest urgency for addressing textile waste include Bangladesh, Ghana, India, the United States, and Chile. Each of these countries faces unique challenges related to textile waste, driven by factors such as production levels, consumption patterns, and infrastructure limitations.
Bangladesh
As one of the world’s largest garment producers, Bangladesh contends with massive volumes of textile waste, primarily from its export-driven production for fast fashion. The country’s limited waste management infrastructure leads to large quantities of waste in landfills, which produce greenhouse gases and contaminate local water resources with hazardous chemicals from untreated dyes and textile byproducts. These environmental impacts are exacerbated by the poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods for local communities, linking textile waste issues directly to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) (World Economic Forum, 2022; UNEP, 2022).
Ghana
Ghana imports significant amounts of secondhand clothing, mostly from Western countries. Dubbed “obroni wawu,” or “clothes of the dead white man,” these items often end up as waste in Ghana’s markets and landfills, as only a fraction is reused or resold. The remaining clothing often clogs drainage systems and leads to flooding in urban areas, causing health risks and environmental degradation. Ghana’s situation highlights the need for sustainable consumption and production practices under SDG 12, as well as improved infrastructure to handle imported textile waste (UNEP, 2022; United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, 2023).
India
India’s textile waste problem is twofold: it is both a large producer of textiles and a significant consumer market. Inadequate disposal facilities mean that waste, especially from the informal sector, accumulates in landfills or is burned, releasing harmful pollutants. Moreover, India’s large textile sector often relies on unsustainable practices, contributing to water pollution and soil degradation. The country’s textile waste challenge directly impacts SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) (United Nations Economic and Social Affairs, 2023).
United States
The United States, as one of the largest consumers of fast fashion, generates vast amounts of textile waste annually, with an estimated 85% of discarded textiles ending up in landfills. The abundance of low-cost fashion contributes to a “throwaway” culture, where garments are often disposed of quickly after minimal use. Although there are recycling programs, the volume of textile waste far exceeds the capacity of current recycling infrastructure. The U.S. situation underscores the importance of SDG 12 and points to a need for improved consumer awareness and sustainable consumption (World Economic Forum, 2022; UNEP, 2022).
Chile
Chile has emerged as a major dumping ground for textile waste in South America. Each year, tons of discarded clothing, largely from North America and Europe, are sent to Chile’s Atacama Desert. This waste is not only environmentally damaging but also economically unsustainable, as it imposes disposal costs on local municipalities. Chile’s struggle highlights the need for global cooperation in managing textile waste flows and aligns with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), emphasizing sustainable consumption and responsible waste management (UNEP, 2022; United Nations Economic and Social Affairs, 2023).
Conclusion
Textile waste poses a significant threat to environmental health, socio-economic stability, and the achievement of SDGs. Addressing this issue requires global cooperation and a shift toward sustainable practices within the textile industry. By adopting circular economy principles and sustainable production methods, the textile industry can contribute to a greener, more resilient future, supporting the SDGs while alleviating environmental pollution and its associated health risks (UNEP, 2022; UNECE, 2022).
