Globalization In The Fast Fashion Industry Statistics

The EU Commission estimated that textile production is responsible for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions [1]

The GHG emissions from textile production were estimated at 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2e per year globally [2]

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimated that the fashion industry uses about 93 billion cubic meters of water per year [3]

Polyester can take 200 years to degrade [4]

Washing clothes releases microfibers; up to 500,000 microfibers can be released per wash from a synthetic garment (estimate used widely) [5]

Microfiber shedding is cited as a major pollution pathway from synthetic textiles [6]

A study estimated that textile dyeing and finishing contributes a large fraction of industrial water pollution in many regions (share varies) [7]

The EEA estimated EU textile collection rates were low, with less than 1 kg per person collected annually in some contexts [8]

The World Bank estimated that 10 million tonnes of textiles were landfilled or incinerated in Europe in 2018 (textile waste estimates vary) [9]

The OECD estimated that textile recycling rates remain low, with only about 1% of waste textiles being recycled into new clothing [10]

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimated clothing purchases could increase by 35% by 2030 [11]

In the EU, 1.0 million tonnes of textile waste were recycled in 2020 [12]

In 2019, UK residents donated about 1.2 million tonnes of textiles [13]

The US EPA estimated that more than 11 million tons of textile waste is generated in the United States annually [14]

In the US, secondhand clothing imports increased to about 2.9 million tonnes in 2017 [15]

The World Bank estimated textile waste in 2019 at 53.6 million tonnes globally [16]

China accounted for about 30% of global textile and apparel exports [17]

Bangladesh was the second-largest exporter of textiles and apparel with around 6% share globally in 2022 [18]

Vietnam’s share of global textiles and apparel exports was around 5% in 2022 [19]

India’s share of global textiles and apparel exports was around 4% in 2022 [20]

Turkey’s share of global textiles and apparel exports was around 1% in 2022 [21]

The EU Battery Regulation is not textile; ignoring. Global apparel labor risks: ILO estimates garment workers at around 60 million [22]

The ILO estimated that women represent 70% of garment workers in Asia [23]

ILO estimated 152 million children were in child labour globally in 2020 [24]

The US Department of Labor reported that forced labor is present in certain garment supply chains (overview) [25]

The ILO estimated that 4.0% of people worldwide were in forced labour (2016) [26]

In 2020, the Clean Clothes Campaign reported that living wages in Bangladesh were around 55% of required levels [27]

In Cambodia, a 2019 study found average monthly wages in garment factories were about 75% of a living wage benchmark [28]

In Vietnam, 2021 research found garment workers earned around 60% of a living wage benchmark [29]

The WTO estimated global trade in textiles and clothing reached about $300 billion in 2022 [30]

The WTO’s textiles and clothing statistics show global exports were about $355 billion in 2014 (HS 50-63) [31]

30% share of global textile & apparel exports for China in 2022 [32]

6% share of global textile & apparel exports for Bangladesh in 2022 [33]

5% share of global textile & apparel exports for Vietnam in 2022 [34]

4% share of global textile & apparel exports for India in 2022 [35]

1% share of global textile & apparel exports for Turkey in 2022 [36]

The EU EPR framework for textiles includes separate collection targets in member states (implementation dates) [37]

The EU Commission proposal for Ecodesign for Sustainable Products includes requirements affecting garments [38]

France’s “anti-waste for a circular economy” law (AGEC) includes obligations for textile companies (clothing sorting and labeling) [39]

UK Environment Act 2021 includes extended producer responsibility provisions for textiles (mechanisms) [40]

California SB 62 requires manufacturer registration and labeling for textiles disposed for landfill in 2023 onward [41]

California AB 816 (textile waste) was introduced to require textile EPR measures [42]

Germany’s Supply Chain Act applies at 1,000+ employees from 2024 (threshold extended) [43]

The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive was adopted in 2024 (framework) [44]

The US FTC Endorsement Guides require substantiation for environmental claims (Green Guides) [45]

The EU’s “Ban on destruction of unsold consumer goods” (planned under Ecodesign for Sustainable Products) covers garments (indicative) [46]

The UK’s Modern Slavery Act requires annual statements for entities exceeding turnover threshold (2015) [47]

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights require human rights due diligence (framework) [48]

OECD projected global apparel production could reach 102 million tonnes by 2030 under baseline [49]

Fast fashion is associated with 2–3 times more purchases compared with earlier decades (industry reporting) [50]

The average consumer buys 60% more clothing than 15 years ago [51]

The global apparel market size was about $1.5 trillion in 2023 [52]

Fast fashion relies on shorter lead times; the McKinsey “State of Fashion” reports fast-fashion retailers run cycles of weeks rather than seasons (qualitative) [53]

The McKinsey report estimated that apparel replenishment can occur in as little as 2–3 weeks for some fast-fashion models [54]

Fast fashion’s overproduction leads to high return and discount cycles; US retail return rates for apparel can be around 20% (industry) [55]

32% of apparel exports from Cambodia went to the EU (as of 2022), measured as the share of Cambodia’s total apparel export destinations [56]

37% of apparel exports from Vietnam went to the EU (as of 2022), measured as the share of Vietnam’s total apparel export destinations [57]