When in doubt, wear denim! I am sure all of us have heard this quite at least once. Denim... one of the most worn and sought after fabrics may not be all fairy tales and sunshine. That bright blue pair of jeans that you own or that jumpsuit or shorts are in fact major ecological threats, they are a mass polluter.
Discovered on May 20, 1873, by Jacob W. Davis and Levi Strauss, denim has pontificated 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. But denim may not be as beneficial for the environment as it is for the 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 polluter of the world and second only to oil. Denim is a major contributor and is at the forefront of 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 one pair of jeans. About 5000 gallons of water are required just to produce one pair of those denim jeans we all wear. 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 asthma, diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and even cancer.
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, a result of manufacturers dumping chemical-laden wastewater directly into local waterways. Colossal amounts of toxic metals like mercury, lead, and copper was found in the water, which residents rely on for drinking and bathing.
Adding to this, the rich blue color of denim comes from synthetic dyes made from fossil fuels.
Also, renowned stonewash 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. Sometimes, even small particles of denim end up in the water which is then breathed in by the factory workers.
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 all the used clothes we have. All these little things help make a large change.
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Cover Image Credits: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Denim_jacket_cuff_closeup.jpg/260px-Denim_jacket_cuff_closeup.jpg
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