A garment emits carbon dioxide from the production of raw materials to the production, transportation, use and treatment of waste, which has a certain impact on the environment. According to the calculation of environmental resources management company, a contract of 400g polyester trousers is supposed to produce raw materials in Taiwan Province province, China, make clothes in Indonesia, and finally ship them to the UK for sale. Its service life is scheduled to be two years, and it has been washed 92 times with 50℃ warm water washing machine; After washing, dry it with a dryer, and then iron it for an average of two minutes. In this way, it consumes about 200 kWh of energy in its lifetime, which is equivalent to emitting 47 kilograms of carbon dioxide, which is 1 17 times its own weight.
In contrast, natural fabrics such as cotton and hemp are not artificially synthesized from raw materials such as oil like chemical fiber, so they consume less energy and produce less pollutants. According to the research of Cambridge University Manufacturing Institute, a 250g cotton T-shirt emits about 7kg of carbon dioxide in its lifetime, which is 28 times its own weight.
In the choice of fabrics, linen fabrics are more environmentally friendly than cotton fabrics. Research by the University of Melbourne shows that burlap has less ecological impact than cotton cloth by 50%. Cloth made of bamboo fiber and flax also saves more water and pesticides than cotton cloth in the production process.
With the enhancement of people's awareness of environmental protection, natural fabrics such as cotton, hemp and silk will become the most popular materials in various fashions. They not only reflect environmental awareness from the design of styles and colors, but also adopt pollution-free natural raw materials from fabrics to buttons, zippers and other accessories; From the production of raw materials to processing, it is also completely from the perspective of protecting the ecological environment, avoiding the use of chemical printing and dyeing raw materials and resins and other substances that damage the environment. The combination of "environmental protection style" and the internal demand of modern people to return to nature makes eco-clothing gradually become a new trend in the fashion field.
Recycled clothes, that is, clothes made of old clothes materials after special treatment, have begun to rise, while synthetic fibers, especially animal leather, will be regarded as products that destroy the environment and will be left out in the cold. Many western Europeans refuse to wear fur coats.