The denim industry requires an enormous amount of water. On average, it takes 1,800 gallons/6,800 liters to grow enough cotton for one pair of jeans!
Cotton farming also utilizes an abundance of pesticides (in fact, 16% of all insecticides used worldwide). These harsh chemicals create an unsafe working environment for farmers and pollute nearby soil and water systems.
Choose the Right Fabric
Fabric selection is essential when crafting jeans, and organic and recycled cotton fabrics are the best choices for sustainability. However, if you want to go even greener, pleather or natural leather may also be used.
Denim production is an intricate process featuring several eco-friendly practices at each step. For instance, laser processing equipment reduces water needs by up to 90% and helped prevent 494 million cubic feet of water from pollution last year alone!
Use Recycled Materials
The sustainable denim movement is gaining steam. This initiative is revolutionizing how denim manufacturing should be done, revolutionizing how people craft garments from start to finish.
New technologies have enabled manufacturers to take the next step towards responsible production. One example is N-Denim, a dyeing technology that reduces water and chemicals by increasing color penetration into yarn.
Instead of purchasing new raw materials to manufacture clothing, many suppliers and brands are now turning towards recycled material in their production process. This includes reusing fabric from old inventory or donating them to charitable causes.
Use a Closed-Loop Production Process
Closing the loop is a method in which production materials are recycled and reused. It’s an effective way to reduce waste and ensure products remain useful for as long as possible.
Closed-loop manufacturing also saves water and energy resources while decreasing chemical waste generation. It’s becoming more widespread in the apparel industry.
The textile and apparel industry is a major polluter. It accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, 20% of global wastewater, as well as large amounts of biodiversity loss.
Look for Environmental Certifications
Jeans are one of the world’s most beloved and versatile clothing items. While they appeal to people of all ages, classes, and genders alike, the production processes used to make them can have a major impact on both environmental sustainability and human health.
In addition to pesticides and water, denim manufacturers often employ a host of toxic chemicals in the dyeing process. Azo dyes, for instance, release carcinogenic amines, which have been known to cause cancer in humans.
To achieve this goal, it’s wise to look for environmental certifications when shopping for denim fabrics. These certificates guarantee high-quality and sustainable products created with responsibility; they can also give you insight into how your fabrics and goods are manufactured.
Reduce Water Consumption
Cotton cultivation requires vast amounts of water. That is why many denim brands partner with suppliers who grow their crops without using pesticides and fertilizers, thus conserving water consumption.
Jeans manufacturing processes use an abundance of water, which is why many brands have implemented water-saving techniques in their production. Laser technology, ozone washing, and natural dyes are just a few examples of innovative approaches that can reduce the overall water footprint during production.