Abdullah al Wahid
Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX), Dhaka.
Why Our Clothes Matter:
Every day, we choose what to wear. But have you ever thought about how those clothes affect the world?
Fast fashion lets us buy clothes cheaply and quickly, but it also makes us throw them away just as fast. This causes a lot of waste and pollution. The good thing is, we can change this. If we choose our clothes more carefully, we can enjoy fashion while also caring for the planet.
The Problem: The Hidden Cost of Fashion:
Fashion is fun—but it’s also one of the most polluting industries in the world. Here are some facts:
Most people wear clothes only 7 to 10 times before throwing them away.
In the U.S., 11.3 million tons of clothes go to landfills every year.
Fast Fashion’s Impact:
10% of global CO₂ emissions
141 billion cubic meters of water used
35% of ocean microplastics
80 billion garments made every year
Bangladesh: A Fashion Leader Facing Challenges-
Bangladesh is one of the biggest clothing producers in the world. It’s home to over 200 green garment factories, more than any other country.
But there’s also a problem:
Bangladesh creates around 577,000 metric tons of textile waste every year.
Most of this waste comes from cutting scraps and rejected clothes.
Only a small part is recycled—most is dumped or sold cheaply.
Still, there’s hope. Local companies and global brands are working together to improve recycling and cut down on waste.
What Positive Change Looks Like
We don’t need to stop buying clothes. We just need to buy smarter.
Reuse and Recycle
Reusing and recycling clothes saves energy and reduces pollution.
Reusing 1 ton of textiles saves:
Recycling 1 ton of textiles saves:
8 tons of CO₂
5.6 tons of CO₂
164 gigajoules of energy
116 gigajoules of energy
Bangladesh’s Textile Waste
Outcome
Amount / Percentage
Annual Waste:
577,000 metric tons
Green Factories:
200+ LEED-certified
Recycling Potential
$5 billion market value
What People Say (Awareness) vs. What They Do (Action): The Gap We Can Close
Behavior
Percentage
Know fast fashion is harmful
88%
Always buy sustainable clothing
14%
Source: International Journal of Fashion Marketing and Retailing (IJFMR)
Many people know that fast fashion harms the environment—about 88% understand this. But only 14% always try to buy sustainable clothes. This difference between what people think and what they actually do is called the “Green intention gap.” Even when people want to make better choices, they often face obstacles like high prices, changing fashion trends, and the need for convenience. These factors can make it hard for them to follow through with their good intentions. Because of this, governments are starting to make rules to hold brands responsible for their products. In Europe, people are still buying more clothes every year, so these rules are very important. In Bangladesh, good changes are happening too. More people are choosing organic cotton, jute, and recycled fabrics. Upcycled fashion is also getting popular, especially with young people. With more awareness and new ideas, Bangladesh and the rest of the world are moving toward better and smarter fashion choices.
To close this gap between what people want and what they do, we need stronger systems, smarter shopping, and support from brands, governments, and all of us.
How to Be a Mindful Shopper
You don’t have to be perfect—just take small steps.
Buy Less, Choose Better
Pick quality over quantity
Choose natural fibers like cotton, linen, or jute
Look for trusted certifications such as GOTS or Oeko-Tex.
Repair, Donate, Swap
Fix small tears or replace missing buttons.
Donate clothes you don’t wear
Swap with friends or rent for special events
Go Vintage or Second-Hand
Buying second-hand saves resources. For example:
Making one pair of jeans uses 3,781 liters of water and creates 33.4 kg of CO₂
Buying vintage avoids this environmental impact entirely
A Simple Promise for Better Fashion:
Imagine this: You buy fewer clothes, but better ones. You fix what you love. You pass on what you don’t wear. You choose vintage, rent for events, and recycle when it’s time.
You help the planet—and still look great.
Mindful fashion isn’t about giving up style. It’s about choosing clothes that feel good, look good, and do good.
Let’s wear better—for people and planet.
Final Thoughts: Fashion That Cares for People and the Planet:
Fashion is personal. It’s how we show who we are, feel confident, and connect with others. But it’s also a global issue—it impacts workers, water, waste, and the whole planet.
Mindful fashion doesn’t mean giving up style. It means choosing clothes that last, that matter, and that make a difference.
So next time you shop, ask yourself:
Will I wear this more than 10 times?
Can I repair or reuse it?
Is it made with care—for people and the planet?
Small choices add up. When we all do our part, fashion can become a positive force.
Let’s wear better. Let’s live in a better way. Let’s make mindful fashion the new normal.
Source:
Glocal Campus (2018) – Module1_Topic6_FashionDIET.pdf
IJFMR (2025) – Gen Z Fast Fashion Consumption and Sustainability
Wikipedia – Textile and Fashion Industry Statistics
Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017) – A New Textiles Economy
Global Fashion Agenda & Boston Consulting Group (2019) – Pulse of the Fashion Industry
The Guardian – Tips for Sustainable Fashion
Bangladesh Textile Reports – Textile Waste Statistics (BTMA & environmental reports)