How Clean Are Your Clothes?
The hidden cost of the clothes we’re buying.
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0 CO21760–1820
The Industrial Revolution initiates the relentless release of greenhouse gas emissions intothe atmosphere. Emissions are at 280 parts per million. -
1940s
First use of polyester fibers -
1988
US Senate hears testimony on global warming -
1990s
The rise of fast fashion -
1994
First e-commerce clothing websites -
2002
World produces $1 trillion worth of clothes -
2013
Rana Plaza factory catastrophe -
2015
Clothing production reaches a value of $1.8 trillion -
2022
CO2e at levels more than 150 times higher than in 1850
- 1850
- 1890
- 1930
- 1970
- 1990
- 2010
Call It a Climate Crisis
Half the carbon emitted by burning fossil fuels was released in the past three decades. Releasing carbon dioxide into the air traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
The Industry Is a Waste, And It’s Getting Worse.
Buy. Use. Throw away. Buy more. Fast, disposable fashion is wasteful by design. Consumers buy 60% more items of clothing and keep them for about half as long as they did 15 years ago.*
*According to a 2016 report by McKinsey & Company that looked at consumer spending and clothing production from 2000 to 2014.
The number of tons of textile waste the US generated in 2014, compared to 9.4 million in 2000.
The clothing industry contributes up to 10% of the pollution driving the climate crisis.
Apparel workers are among the lowest-paid laborers in the world.
The Greenwashing Problem
The world’s largest clothing brands hide dirty, irresponsible practices and misuse words like “sustainable,” “green” and “conscious.”
Cut-rate prices, overconsumption and a culture of convenience
Lead to…
pollution, labor abuses and waste.
Together, We Can Change How Clothes Are Made
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We’re Recycling Our Way to Lower Emissions
This season, 68% of our fabrics are made with recycled materials. By using recycled content, in one year Patagonia has cut emissions by 20,000 tons of CO₂e, enough to power 2,300 homes for a full year.
Demand Recycled -
We Grow Our Cotton Organically
Since 1996, all of the virgin cotton in our line has been grown organically, without the use of harmful chemicals (and we make clothes with recycled cotton, too). By using organic cotton, we save water and reduce CO₂ emissions by 45% compared to conventional cotton.
Demand Organic -
We’re Changing How We Grow Food and Fiber
We are investing in and testing ways to improve soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere through Regenerative Organic practices.
Learn More -
We Care for Our Workers
We are dedicated to improving conditions for our workers. This season, two-thirds of our line is Fair Trade Certified™ sewn, impacting 66,000 workers.
Demand Fair Trade
Know How Your
Clothes Are Made.
Informed buyers will force the clothing industry to drop their dirty practices. Demand better practices—what you buy is what the industry will become.
