North America’s Fashion Industries still create Large Amounts of Waste

The fashion industry has a waste management problem that not a lot of people are talking about. Notoriously poor at managing their waste, the fashion industry throws out jeans, sweaters, jackets, and shoes every day that are sent to the landfill and never heard from again. Furthermore, so many of the world’s top designers and high fashion retailers do not have established waste management and recycling processes in place, according to a recent BBC report.

Being a part of the fashion industry, you know there’s going to be waste. Through all the adjustments that need to be made on clothing, the products that don’t sell, and the products that are ready to be tossed from use, it can be argued that every article of fashion eventually becomes waste to some degree. Despite other industries seeking to improve their waste management processes, the fashion industry has failed to manage its waste costs and has arguably failed at meeting its corporate and/or social responsibility.

Globally, clothing production has doubled since 2004. Trends in the last decade show that clothing is being worn for a shorter period of time before being discarded. Despite this gigantic increase in consumption, it’s estimated that less than one percent of all clothing is recycled into new products. Why this is the case, many point out, has to do with the complexity of the polyester materials used. Unlike in other industries, there’s no signs of consumption lowering nor is there a push to lower it as that would mean gutting sales. In response, much of the focus in this space turns towards waste management and possible recycling opportunities.

There are many different approaches one can take to help companies reduce waste to landfill. The first step that many waste management companies are taking is to find better ways to make the most of the materials being thrown out. There’s a real lack of opportunity to reuse fashion industry materials so it’s our hope that more firms will investigate the potential uses at play.

The other side of the coin evidently is to change the materials being used to make this clothing to make it more environmentally-friendly and with the capacity to be recycled. This is a responsibility that falls on the fashion industry and it’s unclear how much the industry wants to change. There are many practical steps that can be used to increase products’ recycling potential. To this point, it’s ultimately up to fashion’s biggest corporations on whether they wish to change.

In Canada, we can’t emphasize it enough, if you have clothing, bring it to a local organization who can use it. Depending on what Toronto neighborhood you’re in, there’s likely to be a local organization who can accept any clothing you may want to give up.

As a waste management and recycling company in Toronto, we would love to assist in ridding yourself of any junk you don’t need anymore. If you have any clothing or household items you need to get off your hands, don’t hesitate to speak with a representative at Core Mini Bins today. We would be happy to recommend a waste pick-up solution and arrange for junk removal. Please feel encouraged to ask about our same day service. Even when/if you’re in a bind, we will do our best to make the necessary arrangements to help out.

                                                                                                https://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/contact-excavation-demolition-disposal-specialist.html