When in doubt, wear denim! I am sure all of us have heard this quite at least once. Denim is one of the most worn and sought after fabrics. It’s stylish and easy to match with outfits. However, denim is not perfect. That bright blue pair of jeans that you own or that new jumpsuit you bought are in fact major ecological threats.
Jacob W. Davis and Levi Strauss had discovered denim on May 20, 1873. Denim has made its way into almost every garment store. For hundreds of companies, the production of denim is a highly lucrative business and brands like Levi's and Wrangler are famous for their jeans. However, denim may not be as beneficial for the environment as it is for these big corporate bank accounts.
The fashion industry in itself is a huge polluter, generating over 14 million tonnes of reusable waste every year. It is responsible for 10% of total global waste and is the second-largest freshwater polluter of the world. Denim is at the forefront of the waste generation.
The pollution begins right from the start of production. Cotton is a very thirsty crop and requires massive amounts of water to grow, about 20,000 liters of water are required to produce one kilogram of cotton, which makes just one pair of jeans. Considering how popular jeans are, the amount of water this process uses is appalling. Fashion accounts for about 20% of total global wastewater.
Adding to the excessive use of water, cotton requires plenty of chemicals. 11% of all pesticides are used in the production of cotton, causing soil and water pollution. Adding to the threat these chemicals pose to the environment, they are also toxic and harm the health of workers and farmers. Farmers can catch diseases like diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and even cancer.
Xintang is known as the jeans capital of the world, with 300 million pairs made each year. The condition of Xintang’s rivers is stark evidence for the colossal pollution caused by denim production. In 2013, Xintang’s rivers turned deep blue and emitted a foul smell. This was the result of manufacturers dumping chemical-laden wastewater directly into local waterways. Colossal amounts of toxic metals like mercury, lead, and copper were found in the water, which residents rely on for drinking and bathing. Locals have reported rashes, lesions, and infertility as a result of the polluted waters.
Adding to this, the rich blue color of denim comes from synthetic dyes made from fossil fuels.
Also, renowned stone-wash jeans are the largest polluters in terms of jeans. They get their unique weathered texture using volcanic pumice stones. Once the stones break down many companies discard its dust into their local watershed. The large quantities of pumice dust pollute rivers and local streams. In some occurrences, it is possible for small denim particles to float in the waters and inhaled by nearby workers.
We Can Reduce the Demand for Denim
As global citizens, we must recognize this threat and strive to better the situation. We must reduce the consumption of denim and try to recycle or reuse all the used clothes we have. Consider quality over quantity when buying clothes.
Make sure your purchase will last you years - not days. All these little things help make a large change to not only help the environment, but to help workers and residents deeply affected by the indirect effects of denim production.