Day 28: China is the world’s largest textile producer and consumer — and throws out 26mn tonnes of clothes a year

7/22/2024

Day 28: China is the world’s largest textile producer and consumer — and throws out 26mn tonnes of clothes a year

AP recently published an in-depth report on how China’s textile recycling efforts are struggling compared to the country’s vast fast fashion industry. It’s an interesting read.

According to the article, as the world’s largest textile producer and consumer, China faces a monumental challenge in managing its textile waste. Every year, the country discards 26mn tonnes of clothes, primarily composed of non-recyclable synthetic materials.

This overwhelming volume of waste is largely driven by the fast fashion industry, epitomised by brands like Shein, which mass-produce inexpensive synthetic garments for a global market.

The fast fashion industry has revolutionised the clothing sector, offering consumers trendy clothing at low prices. However, this model relies heavily on synthetic fibres made from petrochemicals. These materials, which dominate 70% of domestic clothing sales in China, are major contributors to climate change and environmental pollution.

Globally, textile waste is a pressing issue, with only 12% of clothing being recycled. Just 1% of discarded clothes are repurposed into new garments, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a nonprofit focused on fashion sustainability. In China, textile recycling rates hover around 20%, primarily involving cotton, as noted by government sources.

To address this waste problem, experts advocate for “circular sustainability”. This approach emphasises using recyclable fibers from the outset, ensuring that textiles can be continuously reused.

However, according to AP, China has strict regulations against using recycled cotton in new garments, a policy initially aimed at eliminating the use of contaminated materials by unregulated recycling businesses.

The Wenzhou Tiancheng Textile Company, profiled in the article, which processes discarded cotton clothes, primarily exports its recycled yarn to Europe.

Moreover, cultural preferences further complicate efforts to promote recycled clothing within China. Many consumers are reluctant to purchase used items, and recycled garments are often more expensive than fast fashion due to costly production methods. Studies consistently reveal that consumers are unwilling to pay a premium for clothing made from recycled materials, often associating it with secondhand goods.

So while China grapples with the environmental consequences of fast fashion, the path to sustainable textile recycling is fraught with obstacles.

Everything I wore on Day 28 of the 90 days of Shein challenge: