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 CO2e (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:
It’s estimated that the carbon footprint of a typical pair of running shoes made of synthetic materials is 14kgCO2e
A pair of Levi 501 jeans will use 33.4kgCO2e
According to the Carbon Trust, the estimated carbon footprint of a pure cotton shirt over it's lifetime, is 15kgCO2e
A polyester jacket will use 18kgCO2e from cradle to grave
Underwear - even the smallest item has an impact of 1.9kgCO2e
To wear this simple combo, you’re looking at a total of 76kgCO2e – 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
7 reasons why zonal energy pricing won’t work
The UK energy market is at a crossroads. With energy prices a major concern for households and businesses alike, policymakers are searching for solutions.
More
How Ecotricity helped stage the world’s greenest gig
Live gigs and outdoor events are some of the most energy-intensive events in the world, burning through millions of litres of diesel and producing vast amounts of waste. But what if there was another way?
More
Greening the stage for Live Music
We are joining forces with LIVE, the voice of the UK’s contemporary live music sector, as part of our ongoing commitment towards sustainability in live events.
More