You've surely heard more than once about the environmental impact of the clothes we wear. But did you know that the textile industry is one of the most polluting on the planet? In this article, we tell you why textile pollution is so closely linked to fast fashion, how it affects the environment, and what we can do - you, me, and brands like Ecoalf - to change course toward more sustainable fashion.
What is textile pollution and how is it generated?
Textile pollution refers to all the waste and environmental damage produced during the life cycle of garments: from the extraction of raw materials until a t-shirt ends up in a landfill. This problem has grown alarmingly with the expansion of fast fashion, a consumption model that prioritizes mass production and low cost over sustainability and quality.
Every time you buy an ultra-cheap garment, there's a hidden cost to the planet: excessive water consumption, use of chemical substances, polluting emissions, and tons of textile waste.
Main ways fast fashion pollutes the planet
Excessive use of water and natural resources
Textile production, especially cotton, requires an exorbitant amount of water.
Additionally, non-renewable resources like oil are used (in the case of synthetic fabrics), which further aggravates the ecological footprint of each garment.
Discharge of chemical substances and toxic dyes
The textile industry uses chemicals in the manufacturing process. Many of them end up in rivers and oceans without any treatment, causing serious consequences for aquatic ecosystems and local communities.
At Ecoalf, we advocate for comprehensive control of the chemicals used in each process, with a Restricted Substances List based on current legislation, and in some cases going even further when establishing limits and cleaner manufacturing processes, because dressing consciously is possible without giving up style.
Greenhouse gas emissions
Global transport, low-cost factories, energy-intensive processes... All of this makes fast fashion an enormous source of CO₂ emissions.
Choosing brands that produce locally or with renewable energy can make a big difference.
Textile waste and disposable fashion
We live in an era of "use and throw away" clothing. Every second, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothes is burned or discarded. Most of these garments are not recycled and end up in landfills where they can take decades to degrade, if they do at all.
The alternative? Choose durable, recycled, and recyclable products like those from Ecoalf, which give a second life to materials like plastic bottles or fishing nets.
Why does fast fashion incentivize this polluting model?
The real price of "cheap" garments
Behind every €5 t-shirt there's a story they don't tell you: labor exploitation, large-scale production without environmental control, and a consumption logic that pushes us to buy more than we need.
"Cheap" garments are very expensive... but not for those who buy them, but for those who make them and for the planet. That's why it's fundamental to bet on a fairer and more responsible fashion model.
Solutions to reduce textile pollution from fashion and consumption
New sustainable business models
More and more brands are adopting the circular economy, on-demand production, textile recycling, and innovative fabrics. At Ecoalf, for example, we have managed to create collections from polyester waste, recycled tires, or recycled cotton.
This type of initiative allows reducing the use of virgin materials and extending the life cycle of products.
Brands committed to the planet
Look for labels that guarantee sustainable practices: GOTS, OEKO-TEX, B Corp, GRS, etc. And above all, choose brands that don't just talk about sustainability, but practice it day by day.
At Ecoalf, we not only use recycled materials, we also control traceability and work with ethical suppliers. Our motto says it all: "Because there is no planet B."
How you can reduce your footprint as a consumer
● Buy less, but better
● Choose clothes made with recycled or sustainable materials
● Support responsible brands
● Repair and reuse your garments
● Donate or recycle what you no longer use
And if you're looking for real alternatives, explore Ecoalf's catalog of sustainable shoes, coats, and sweatshirts: fashion with positive impact.
Is there a greener future for the textile industry?
The good news is that there is hope. The textile industry can reinvent itself and move toward a greener future, but to achieve this we need a combination of innovation, corporate responsibility, and informed consumers.
Every time you choose a sustainable garment, like those we offer you at Ecoalf, you're betting on a consumption model that respects the planet and people. And that, in the end, is the most valuable fashion of all.