Fashion Pollution in India: The Growing Environmental Crisis
The Fashion industry is booming so fast by introducing new styles new colors, new designs, and new materials, which change daily and along with this Fashion Pollution is increasing day by day. It is not only wearing the latest trends and styles or buying eye-catching fashion clothes but also drastically impacting the environment in India day and night. As per the reports of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), The textile industries are responsible for approximately 20% of water pollution in India.
What is Fashion Pollution
Fashion Pollution is the pollution that largely impacts the environment for many reasons like Water Pollution Landfills Deforestation Plastic Synthetic materials Wastes Inks/dye colors and many more. In India, this issue is increasing very rapidly.
Factors Causing Fashion Pollution in India
- Textile Waste: The overnight production and excessive utilization of the fashion industry cause crucial textile waste. Every day more and more clothes are being produced which is contributing to environmental pollution.
- Processes of Chemical Dyeing: Various chemicals are used in textiles. In a few parts of India chemical dyeing waste goes into the river without any treatment or filtration which leads to severe water Pollution in India also very risky for health issues and the aquatic ecosystem
- Microplastic Pollution: Polyester, Rayon, and Nylon are some of the synthetic fabrics that are man-made and made up of wood pulp and chemical modifications. When washed these clothes it shed the microplastic in our ecosystem through water pollution
Impact of Fashion Pollution in India
- Environmental Damage: Fashion pollution in India has serious environmental consequences. The discarding of textile waste contributes to landfills overflowing which are generally non-biodegradable.
- Health Risks: Fashion pollution has a huge impact on our health. Local people living near such textile industries suffer from many deases due to drinking polluted water like skin problems serious health issues, unsafe environment, and respiratory problems.
Solutions and Sustainable Practices
Some strategies can make a difference in the Pollution of fashion in India.
- Buy in Need: Buy fewer clothes or think wisely while buying new clothes as its impact on the environment is larger than it appears.
- Quality of clothes and sustainable Materials: It’s easy to buy cheap clothes to fill up the wardrobe. Investing in sustainable fabric is for a longer run though they are expensive.
- Recycling: Investing in the recycling of fabric can help manage waste materials. Recycling of used clothes into new products like bags carpets rugs etc.
- Donation of Clothes: Try to donate clothes to an orphanage, friends, or family, instead of throwing them in a bin.
- Environmental Education: Environmental education is very important and should be taught in school to understand the importance of buying good quality fabric.
Conclusion
Fashion pollution in India is raising environmental issues significantly which requires people to understand the importance of buying good quality clothes over a good quantity of clothes. Recycling clothes into new products and buying clothes in need, Ultimately helps in reducing water pollution due to less demand for cheap fabrics. Environmentalists should start some drives from ground level to educate people. There can be some policy to make the fabric of a particular quality or better but not cheaper in the nominal price range.