When it comes to fashion, sustainability is a hot topic. Since the Rana Plaza Factory collapse in 2013, ethically sourced sustainable fashion has gained significant traction and has been in the spotlight ever since. The world we live in today is changing faster than ever, and fashion is continuously evolving, as are the facts and statistics that surround sustainable fashion and the clothing industry at large.
We supply numerous brands both inside and outside the world of fashion, and when it comes to sustainable fashion, we’re experts, with over a decade of experience. With this in mind, we undertook the daunting challenge of researching and composing the biggest and most up-to-date list of sustainable fashion statistics for 2024. You’ll find the full list below:
Sustainable Fashion Global Emissions and Impact Statistics:
1. The textile industry is responsible for 5-10% of global emissions.
2. The fashion industry accounts for 20% of industrial water pollution.
3. 73% of waste clothing is sent directly to landfill.
4. As much as 40% of manufactured clothing is never sold or worn.
Public opinion on fashion sustainability statistics:
5. 81% of the public support having standards for long-lasting and high-quality clothing.
6. 77% support new targets to increase reuse.
7. 82% support reducing clothing waste.
8. 75% favour recycling targets but prefer reuse and waste reduction over recycling.
9. 85% believe destroying unsold or returned goods is wrong.
Consumer behaviour and preferences:
10. 54% of the public are happy to purchase second-hand or vintage clothing.
11. 43% buy used clothing to try brands they can’t afford.
12. 39% buy used clothing for lower environmental impact.
13. 37% buy used clothing for cost-effectiveness.
14. 60% of people own many clothes they don’t regularly wear.
Statistics about business initiatives and commitments to sustainable fashion:
15. Primark and & Other Stories aim to use 100% recycled or sustainably sourced materials by 2030.
16. Zara has committed to 40% recycled content in its clothing by 2030.
17. M&S plans to use 100% recycled polyester by 2025-26.
18. Patagonia aims to use only ‘preferred materials’ by 2025.
19. Gucci intends to use 100% sustainable cotton by 2025.
Economic and environmental benefits of reuse statistics:
20. Second-hand clothing can retain 25-55% of its initial recommended retail price (RRP).
21. A reused cotton t-shirt can save 8-16 times more carbon than recycling it.
Sustainable fashion government and policy recommendations:
22. Ban the destruction of unsold goods to address overproduction and its impacts.
23. Develop a robust system of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles.
24. Set resource reduction targets for textiles and other high-impact industries.
UK fashion consumption and waste statistics:
25. The UK consumes an average of 26.7kg of clothing per person per year.
26. Clothing sales in the UK are rising again post-pandemic.
27. The UK textile industry could use 63% less raw material if 60% of clothing is reused and fibre-to-fibre recycling reaches maximum potential.
Public and expert views on sustainable fashion:
Public Sentiment:
28. Most people (58%) believe clothing producers are most responsible for environmental impacts.
29. There is strong public support for policies prioritising quality over quantity.
Industry Insights:
30. Trends increasing reuse include destigmatisation among younger shoppers and high cost of living.
31. Businesses are launching initiatives for reuse, resale, and recycling.
32. Companies that operate sustainably perform at a higher level than those that do not.
33. Sustainability leaders globally earned an average annual return of 12.9%, compared to 8.6% for laggard companies.
Global sustainable fashion market size 2024:
34. Market size in 2024: USD 7915.2 million.
35. Compound annual growth rate from 2024 to 2031: 23.50%.
Sustainable fashion market size in North America 2024:
36. Market size in 2024: USD 3166.08 million.
37. Market share: 40% of global revenue.
38. Compound annual growth rate from 2024 to 2031: 21.7%.
Sustainable fashion market size in Europe 2024:
39. Market size in 2024: USD 2374.56 million.
40. Market share: 30% of global revenue.
Sustainable fashion market size in Asia Pacific 2024:
41. Market size in 2024: USD 1820.50 million.
42. Market share: 23% of global revenue.
43. Compound annual growth rate from 2024 to 2031: 25.5%.
Sustainable fashion market size in South America 2024:
44. Market size in 2024: USD 395.76 million.
45. Market share: 5% of global revenue.
46. Compound annual growth rate from 2024 to 2031: 22.9%.
Sustainable fashion market size in Middle East and Africa 2024:
47. Market size in 2024: USD 158.30 million.
48. Market share: 2% of global revenue.
49. Compound annual growth rate from 2024 to 2031: 23.2%.
Sustainable fashion challenges and opportunities statistics:
50. 12% of fashion executives cite sustainability as a principal opportunity for 2024.
51. 12% of fashion executives cite sustainability as a top challenge.
52. Extreme climate events could put at risk $65 billion of apparel exports by 2030.
53. 87% of fashion executives think sustainability regulations will impact their businesses in 2024.
Environmental impact of fashion statistics:
54. Fashion is responsible for 3-8% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
55. Clothing and footwear consumption is expected to increase by over 60% from 2022 to 2023.
56. 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined in the design phase.
57. Less than 1% of fashion textiles are recycled.
58. A truckload of products is sent to landfill or incinerated somewhere in the world every second.
59. All EU countries will be required to launch textile collection programmes by 2025.
60. The destruction of unsold goods is expected to be banned.
61. 70% of the EU’s textiles are manufactured in Asia.
Google search interest statistics for sustainable fashion
62. Google Trends data shows Singapore leads the world in sustainable fashion searches, with the most search interest globally, followed by Ireland and the UK. Interest is strong in St Helena, Australia, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. Emerging trends are seen in Denmark, Netherlands, Ghana, and many Asian and African countries.
63. The interest in sustainable fashion, as indicated by Google Trends data, has shown significant growth over time. The peak point of interest occurred in April 2022, with an interest score of 100. Over the years, the interest has generally increased, reflecting a growing awareness and concern for sustainability in the fashion industry.
64. From 2008 to 2024, interest in sustainable fashion has grown by approximately 1116.67%. This significant increase highlights the rising importance and awareness of sustainability within the fashion industry over the past decade and a half.
65. Between 2022 and 2024, interest in sustainable fashion has decreased by approximately 12.05%. This indicates a slight decline in interest during this period, suggesting that while overall interest remains high, there may have been fluctuations or changes in focus within this timeframe.
66. Between 2023 and 2024, interest in sustainable fashion has decreased by approximately 2.67%. This slight decline suggests a relatively stable interest with minor fluctuations during this period.
Sources: Green Alliance, Accenture, Cognitive Market Research, Mckinsey, Google Trends analysis by A.M. Custom Clothing
Make your brand more sustainable with A.M. Custom Clothing
Whether you’re a fashion brand looking for retail merchandise, or a business looking for sustainable clothing for your team, we can help. Sustainability is our expertise and it has been since our inception over a decade ago. We’re proud to boast one of the largest ranges of ethically sourced sustainable wholesale clothing in the world. So whether you need organic t-shirts printing, custom hoodies, or maybe something else, we can help.
