23 Jun For a cleaner ocean – World Ocean Day

The moment we think about Fashion and the impact that the fashion industry has on our planet we always tend to focus on excessive consumption and carbon footprints. Sadly we forget about the direct effect that our industry has on ocean. Today 8 th of June being worlds environmental day what better time it is to highlights the adverse impact of fashion industry.

Fashion industry is responsible for 20 percent of the global waterwaste.The harsh reality is about 90% of seabirds are estimated to have plastic in their stomach, and more than 100,000 marine mammals are killed by plastic debris each year. Over a third (35 percent) of all micro plastics released into the world’s oceans are from synthetic textiles. Between half million and a million tons of plastic microfibers are discharged into wastewater each year from the washing of synthetic clothes. Polyester, the major synthetic fibre, now commands a 62 percent market share and sheds on average six times more micro plastic fibres than nylon.

Fast fashion is the production of clothing for extremely low prices to meet the need of the customer who are pressurized with the ever-changing trends. The fashion industry has diverse impacts on the present and future state of earth. These impacts include environmental damage from clothing microfibers killing marine life as well as clothing dye in wastewater polluting the oceans. Adverse health effects are also prevalent in the clothing production process, which raises ethical issues. By addressing the adverse effects of fast fashion consumption, consumers can promote better working conditions, restoration of marine biomes through the reduction and mitigation of microfiber pollution, and a more inclusive environment supporting small designers in the fashion industry. The sad truth is our consumer behavior is directly impacting nature.

The concept of a World Oceans Day was first proposed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro as a way to celebrate our world’s shared ocean and our personal connection to the sea, as well as to raise awareness about the crucial role the ocean plays in our lives and the important ways people can help protect it.

How can we act responsibly to make a difference?

1. Consider buying less and high quality products.
2. Shop from brands that are transparent about their production process
3. Join Ocean Clean Wash with other brands, NGOs and scientists to find solutions