The Facts

At Undress, we focus on the facts.

What is happening around the world in the fashion industry? And what can we do locally to improve the world?

Think global, act local.

Carbon footprint

Over 8% of total global greenhouse gas emissions are produced by the apparel/footwear industry.
- Quantis

Polyester production emitted about 706 billion kg (1.5 trillion pounds) of greenhouse gases in 2015 equivalent of the annual emissions of 185 coal-fired power plants.
- World Resources Institute, 2017.

The industrys CO� emissions are projected to increase by more than 60% by 2030.
- The Boston Consulting Group and Global Fashion Agenda (2017).

PLANET

It takes about 2,720 litres of water to produce just one cotton shirt  a number equivalent to what an average person drinks over three years.
- Environmental Justice Foundation

Each year 1.3 trillion gallons of water is used for fabric dyeing alone.
- World Resources Institute 2017

CONSUMPTION

In the past 15 years, the average number of times a garment is worn before it ceases to be used has decreased by 36%.
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Australia is the second-largest consumers of new textiles, each person buying an average of 27kg of new textiles.
- Textile Beat 2016

A living wage

4% of what Australians spend on clothing goes to the wages of workers in garment factories across the globe.
- Oxfam, 2017

Over 50% of workers within the fashion industry are not paid the minimum wage in countries like India and the Philippines.
- Global Fashion Agenda, 2017

Child labour

The ILO estimates that 170 million are engaged in child labour, with many making textiles and garments to satisfy the demand of consumers in Europe, the US, and beyond.
- International Labour Organisation

Oceans

Plastic microfibers shed from synthetic clothing into the water account for 85% of the human-made material found along ocean shores, threatening marine wildlife and ending up in our food supply.
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (2017)

Garment manufacturing accounts for 20% of global industrial water pollution.
- World Resources Institute 2017

Waste

Of the total fibre input used for clothing, 87% is landfilled or incinerated costing $100 billion annually.
- Elle MacArthur Foundation 2017

Australians throw out 6 tonnes or 6,000 kgs of clothing textiles every 10 minutes
- War On Waste 2017

If you are hungry for more fashion facts, our friends New Standard Institute and Eco Warrior Princess have a wealth of information and articles.