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The Textile Technology Today

Contemporary fabrics are made from natural or synthetic fibers. Natural fibers come from animals or plants, such as cotton, linen, hemp, and wool, and require water, herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers for production. Synthetic fibers are made through chemical synthesis using cellulosic or fossil oil raw materials, such as rayon and polyester, which require heavy chemical treatments. The process of converting fibers into yarn and fabric requires significant amounts of energy and generates solid waste, dust, and noise. Additional treatments, such as dyeing and finishing, use hazardous chemicals to enhance fabric properties.

Environmental Impacts

Land Pollution

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The textile production process is resource-intensive and is estimated to be responsible for about 20% of global clean water pollution from dyeing and finishing products. At the same time, large quantities of used clothes are discarded, mainly incinerated or landfilled.

 

  • ​It takes more than 2500 litres of water to make one cotton shirt, which is equivalent to one person's drinking needs for 2.5 years.

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  • Textile industries are responsible for 1.7 B tonnes of carbon emissions per year. 

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  • Every year, more than 0.5 million tonnes of microfibers are released in the ocean, which accounts for 35% of primary plastics released into the environment.

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