The carbon footprint of getting dressed
Press enquiries
If you are a journalist with a media enquiry, please contact our Press Office by email at pressoffice@ecotricity.co.uk
For all other general enquiries, please call 0345 555 7100 or email home@ecotricity.co.uk.
We focus on the three big things that affect climate change – energy, transport and food. But what about the bits people don’t necessarily think about, like the clothes you wear? Here's our look at the impact your everyday threads have on the environment.
What's the lifecycle carbon impact of your wardrobe?
From how they’re made to how they’re disposed of, every item of clothing produced has what’s called a lifecycle carbon impact. A lifecycle carbon impact is the potential amount of greenhouse gases released into the environment, from raw material extraction to the end of a product’s life (the ‘cradle to grave’ impact). This is measured in kilograms of CO2 eq (or carbon dioxide equivalent), a standard unit for measuring carbon footprints.
We looked at a simple get-up that anyone of us might wear to see what impact we’re dressing in:
Link - a pair of Levi 501 jeans will use 33.4kgCO2 eq
Link- it’s estimated that the carbon footprint of a typical pair of running shoes made of synthetic materials is 14kgCO2 eq
Link - according to the Carbon Trust, the estimated carbon footprint of a pure cotton shirt over it's lifetime, is 15kgCO2 eq
Link - from cradle to grave will use 18kgCO2 eq
Link – even the smallest item has an impact of 1.9kgCO2 eq
To wear this simple combo, you’re looking at a total of 76kgCO2 eq – that’s almost the equivalent of driving from London to Paris!
How to reduce the carbon impact of your clothes
So, what can we do to reduce the carbon footprint of the clothes we wear? Here are a few tips:
Buy vintage and second-hand clothing.
When you’re buying new clothing, choose garments made from eco-friendly, natural fabrics such as bamboo, silk, organic cotton and hemp.
Invest in your clothes – it’s better in the long run to buy a good quality t-shirt than a cheap one that will rip straight away.
Instead of buying new clothes, give yours a makeover! Get crafty with some DIY to give them a new lease of life.
Buy faux – the production of wool, leather and fur harms millions of animals every year, and it's also bad for the environment.
You can find out more about how to make environmental and ethical shopping choices here.
And if you’re looking to cut your carbon footprint and fight climate change in a bigger way – switch to a green energy supplier too!
Similar articles
Your Guide to RTS, the Radio Teleswitch Service
Technology supporting Radio Teleswitch is planned to end in June 2025 as it comes to the end of its operational life. This is an industry-wide change, so it isn’t just affecting Ecotricity customers.
Join our Customer Research Panel
Our customers are at the heart of what we do and we’re always looking to improve our customer service and the experience you have with us. That’s why we’re launching our very first Customer Research Panel.
12 days of Christmas energy saving tips with Ecotricity
The countdown to Christmas it well and truly on, and here at Ecotricity we’re still thinking of ways to save energy and the planet at the same time.