4 ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable

The fashion industry is described as an "environmental and social emergency" by the United Nations, contributing 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of wastewater. To combat this, the guide suggests reading labels for certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (requiring 70% organic fibres) and the Better Cotton Initiative, choosing low-impact materials such as fungal-based Mylo or yeast-based Microsilk over petrochemical-based synthetics, upcycling old garments to recover lost clothing value, and using retailer donation programmes to prevent landfill waste.

• The global fashion industry, valued at $2.75 trillion, has a significant environmental footprint, accounting for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and nearly 20% of the world's waste water. The production of a single T-shirt and one pair of jeans requires 20,000 litres of water.
• Consumers can identify sustainable products through specific certifications: the Global Organic Textile Standard requires a minimum of 70% organic fibres throughout the supply chain, and the Better Cotton Initiative indicates the use of less water and harmful chemicals.
• Synthetic materials like acrylic, nylon, and polyester are derived from petrochemicals and release microfibres during washing, while leather tanning involves toxic chromium. Sustainable alternatives include Mylo (made from fungal threads) and Microsilk (made from yeast), both developed by Bolt Threads.
• Significant economic value is lost through the disposal of usable clothing, with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimating a global loss of $460 billion in clothing value per wear annually. In the UK specifically, an estimated $175 million worth of clothing ends up in landfills each year.

APA

World Economic Forum (2019). 4 ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable. https://www.weforum.org/stories/nature-and-biodiversity/make-your-wardrobe-more-sustainable-and-work-harder/

Chicago

World Economic Forum. 4 ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable. 2019. https://www.weforum.org/stories/nature-and-biodiversity/make-your-wardrobe-more-sustainable-and-work-harder/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=4 ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable |date=25 September 2019 |url=https://www.weforum.org/stories/nature-and-biodiversity/make-your-wardrobe-more-sustainable-and-work-harder/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2019ways, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{4 ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2019}, month = sep, url = {https://www.weforum.org/stories/nature-and-biodiversity/make-your-wardrobe-more-sustainable-and-work-harder/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }