Water Usage For A T-Shirt: How Many Gallons?

The fashion industry has long been associated with wastefulness and environmental harm. One of the key issues is water consumption. The production of a single t-shirt, for example, requires a large amount of water, with estimates ranging from 700 to 2700 litres, or 713 to 715 gallons, which is enough drinking water for a person to live on for 900 days or almost three years. This high water usage is largely due to the thirsty nature of cotton plants, which require up to 30 inches of water for a full season, as well as the water-intensive processes of dyeing and manufacturing.

Cotton is a thirsty crop

Cotton is a very popular textile, used in 40% of all clothing worldwide. However, it is a water-intensive crop, with 70% of the world's accessible freshwater being used to grow crops such as cotton. This has a huge environmental impact, especially when we consider the amount of water used to produce a single cotton t-shirt.

The production of a cotton t-shirt includes the growth of the cotton, manufacturing, dyeing, and transportation. It takes around 2,700 litres of water to produce a single t-shirt, enough drinking water for one person for 900 days. This figure does not include the water used to wash, dry, and iron the t-shirt after purchase.

Water pollution is also an important issue in the production of cotton clothing. About 20-23% of industrial water pollution is due to garment manufacturing, and the world uses around 5 trillion litres of water each year for fabric dyeing alone.

The fashion industry is taking steps to address these issues, with companies making strides to reduce their water footprint for cotton. Organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are working with farmers and businesses to develop more sustainable farming methods, reducing the strain on water supplies.

Water pollution from garment manufacturing

It takes about 2,700 litres of water to make a single t-shirt, which is enough drinking water for one person for 900 days. Cotton, the most widely used natural fabric for clothing, is a very thirsty crop. Cotton farming has a significant impact on the global water crisis. Cotton plants need around 10 gallons (38 kg) of water to maximise their yield. One kilogram of cotton takes around 20,000 litres of water, enough for a t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water and is responsible for producing 20% of wastewater worldwide. The textile dyeing and finishing process is a major contributor to water pollution, accounting for over 20% of global industrial water pollution due to the toxic and hazardous chemicals used. Fabric dyeing and treatment alone use around 5 trillion litres of water annually.

The use of pesticides and fertilisers to increase cotton output also severely contaminates water sources and destroys soil quality and microbial communities underground. Agrochemical-contaminated water runoff pollutes nearby water sources, posing threats to local biodiversity and human health.

In addition, the production of synthetic fabrics releases pollutants such as lead, arsenic, benzene, and other toxins into water sources. Microfibre pollution from synthetic materials is another significant concern, with up to 85% of human-made pollution on shorelines attributed to microfibres. These fibres can take hundreds of years to decompose and can disrupt underwater ecosystems.

To reduce water pollution from garment manufacturing, consumers can choose garments made from sustainable and natural materials, such as organic cotton, linen, or hemp. Buying quality garments that are durable and timeless can also help reduce consumption and production rates.

The energy needed to create a t-shirt

The life cycle of a t-shirt can be divided into several stages: production, distribution and sale, use, and disposal. Each of these stages involves energy consumption, which contributes to the overall carbon footprint of the garment.

During the production stage, energy is required for the growth of cotton, manufacturing, and dyeing processes. Cotton is an energy-intensive crop, and the manufacturing and dyeing processes also demand significant energy input. The transportation of raw materials and finished goods during the distribution stage also incurs energy costs.

The use stage includes the energy required for washing, drying, and ironing the t-shirt. On average, washing a t-shirt uses around 40 gallons of water, and drying it requires five times more energy than washing. However, consumers can reduce the energy consumption during this stage by skipping the drying and ironing process and opting for air drying instead.

Finally, the disposal stage may involve recycling or discarding the garment, both of which have associated energy requirements.

It is worth noting that the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with each stage can vary depending on factors such as the number of times a t-shirt is worn and washed, the transportation methods used, and the disposal methods employed.

Overall, the energy needed to create a t-shirt, from the growth of cotton to the manufacturing, transportation, and use stages, contributes significantly to its environmental impact. By understanding this impact, consumers can make more informed choices and adopt practices that reduce their carbon footprint, such as extending the lifespan of their garments or choosing organic cotton options.

The environmental impact of clothing

The fashion industry has a significant environmental impact, and clothing is a major contributor to this. The production of clothing has a large carbon footprint, with the industry responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions—more than international flights and maritime shipping combined. This figure is expected to increase to 26% by 2050 if the industry does not change its practices.

The industry is also a thirsty one, being the second-largest consumer of water worldwide. Cotton, a very thirsty crop, is used in 40% of clothing worldwide and requires a lot of water to produce. It takes 2,700 litres of water to make a single t-shirt, and 7,500–10,000 litres of water to produce a kilogram of cotton, enough for a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. The fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic metres of water per year, or 20 trillion gallons, and this is expected to double by 2030.

The fashion industry is also a major polluter of water sources. Globally, it is responsible for 20% of industrial water pollution, with textile dyeing being the second-largest polluter of water. Dyeing textiles uses enough water to fill 2 million Olympic-sized swimming pools each year, and the wastewater from this process often ends up in ditches, streams, and rivers. The production of cotton also degrades soil quality, leading to exhausted fields and the destruction of local habitats as new areas are sought for farming.

The use of synthetic fibres in clothing, such as polyester, is a major contributor to plastic pollution. Polyester was found in about 60% of garments in 2017, and washing these clothes releases microplastics into water systems, including oceans. It is estimated that washing machines release up to 700,000 microfibres per load, and these fibres are ingested by marine life, making their way up the food chain.

The fast fashion industry, with its cheap prices and rapidly changing trends, has led to a huge increase in clothing consumption. Americans now buy three times as many garments as they did in the 1960s, and 85% of these clothes end up in landfills. The lifespan of garments has decreased to just 2.2 years in countries like the UK, and the frenetic pace of the industry encourages consumers to buy more than they need to stay on-trend.

However, there are ways to reduce the environmental impact of clothing. Consumers can wear their clothes for longer, buy second-hand, and wash their clothes less often. Manufacturers can focus on creating more durable, sustainable clothing with eco-friendly materials, and use popular designs that are more likely to be purchased, reducing waste.

Initiatives to reduce water usage

It takes around 2,700 litres of water to make a single cotton t-shirt. This is enough drinking water for one person for 900 days. The fashion industry is the second most water-intensive industry in the world, consuming around 79 billion cubic metres of water per year. This is a startling statistic, considering 2.7 billion people currently experience water scarcity.

Sustainable Farming Methods

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) works with farmers and businesses to develop sustainable farming methods. The Better Cotton Initiative, supported by the WWF, is a multi-stakeholder group that works with farmers to find more sustainable ways of growing cotton. In Pakistan, the Initiative has helped 75,000 farmers reduce their water use by 39%, while also increasing their income by 11%. This takes the strain off water supplies, not just for cotton but for other thirsty crops like sugar cane and rice.

Eco-Friendly Cotton Production

Major textile brands are moving towards more eco-friendly cotton production. Home furnishing giant Ikea pledged to switch production to 100% Better Cotton by 2015. The WWF also announced a 3-year water-awareness partnership with H&M to assess the company's water production impact and teach employees about water issues to implement more sustainable strategies.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Prolonging the life of clothing can reduce water usage. By wearing a cotton garment for nine months longer, you can reduce its water footprint by 5-10%. Buying second-hand clothing and donating or reselling unwanted items instead of throwing them away can also help reduce water usage.

Water-Efficient Washing

Washing, drying, and ironing clothes uses a significant amount of water and energy. By skipping the drying and ironing process and air-drying clothes instead, you can save up to 1/3 of the carbon footprint of a t-shirt.

Sustainable Alternatives

Buying clothing made from 100% organic cotton can reduce water usage. Organic cotton uses 88% less water than conventional cotton and does not contribute to water pollution as it eliminates the use of synthetic pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers.

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