Care of Creation and the Fashion industry

One of the joys of living in a temperate climate is the necessity of changing clothing with the seasons. We all enjoy switching our heavy winter layers for lighter spring garb! However, for Christians shopping for new apparel comes with serious ethical considerations. Because we are called to love our neighbours and to care for the earth, we have to think through the ramifications of our purchasing choices.

The fashion industry produces more clothing each year than it ever expects to sell. Much of what is produced is discarded within the season of production. According to an analysis by Business Insider, 85% of all textiles made go to dumps each year, generating 92 million tonnes of textile waste, most of which ends up in developing countries, some of whom burn what is unsuitable for their climate.

The UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion reports that the fashion industry is the world’s second biggest consumer of water, generating roughly 20% of the world’s waste water. Denim is especially thirsty; one pair of jeans requires 2000 gallons of water. Furthermore, much of that waste water is heavily polluted with very toxic bleaches and dyes.

Add to that the distances clothing is shipped from the manufacture of fibres to the construction of garments to the wholesaler and then to the retail market, all on different continents. The whole process emits 10% of the world’s total global greenhouse gas emissions.

Most of what we wear consists of petroleum in some form, often blended with other fibers, making recycling impossible. A major problem with the various polyesters is that they shed microfibers, mostly during laundering. Washing one load of polyester clothes can release 700,000 microplastic fibers into the environment. It is estimated that half a million tonnes of these microfibers end up in the sea each year. Polyester, made from fossil fuels, is non-biodegradable. Microfibres from synthetics are a major contributor to microplastic pollution as they enter the waste water and then into the food chain. Consequently we all have microfibres in our bodies. Washing machine manufacturers are researching ways to filter out microfibers, but so far there is nothing on the market to solve the problem.

Another feature of fashion recently is the addition of plastic to clothing in the form of glued-on glitter and sequins. These, of course, wash off into the waste water stream as well.

As Christians we strive to love our neighbours, so we are always concerned about labour practices and how our choices affect those who are involved in the industries that we support with our purchasing power. Historically, many garment workers have laboured in unhealthy and/or unsafe conditions, earning low wages. The tragic collapse of a multi storey garment factory in Bangladesh in 2013 (the Rana Plaza) made retailers and customers more aware of how garment workers are treated, especially in developing countries where most of our clothes are produced.

By 2023, substantial progress had been made on fire and building safety in the Bangladesh garment industry. But many textile workers around the world labour under poor conditions for very low pay.

So what are our options as Christians who care about the earth and fellow humans? Slow fashion, as opposed to fast fashion, promotes buying fewer, better quality, longer lasting clothes, preferably made locally. The upfront cost is greater, but they pay off in durability. We can choose natural biodegradable fibres, such as linen, wool, cotton, hemp, bamboo and silk. We can spot clean and reduce laundering. We can mend and repair, or have a skilled tailor or seamstress mend or adjust a garment. Most towns have used clothing outlets where we can donate and purchase gently used clothing at good prices, thus keeping fabrics out of dumps.

With some thought, we can be both well dressed and care for our neighbours and our planet home.