According to Retail Dive Textile waste has increased by a massive 811 per cent from 1960 to 2015. The majority of this waste, approximately 66 per cent, is being dumped in landfills. Plastics show the largest increase in waste since 1960, a colossal 8,746 per cent. Rubber and leather, common materials used in footwear and clothing, have also shown a significant increase at 361 per cent.
Last year, Burberry came under fire after it was unveiled that the company had burnt millions of dollars’ worth of unsold stock. It has since announced that it will put an end to this process, in addition to no longer using real fur and committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2022. Nike has launched its circular design guide in order to promote sustainability in the industry and address the growing impact of climate change. Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing has decided to cut down on single use plastic by 85 per cent by 2020. Zara plans to use 100 per cent sustainable fabrics by 2025. The mounting problem of textile waste is beginning to be quantified in scientific research. Across the globe consumers now purchase more than 80 billion pieces of new clothing each year, with an increasing amount ending up in landfills.
