GreenYour.com

Jeans are an $11 billion annual industry worldwide.[1]
A estimated 1 billion jeans are made every year and almost half of those, some 450 million, are bought in the US.[2][3] Jeans are made of denim, a cotton product, and the trademark “blue jean” color is a result of an indigo dye. The environmental impact of jeans is caused chiefly by the conventional growth and production of cotton and synthetic indigo, as well as the dyeing process.

Conventional cotton

Conventionally grown cotton is a highly water- and pesticide-intensive crop. It takes about 1,800 gallons of water to produce the cotton used in one pair of jeans.[4] To produce 11 pairs of jeans would take about 20,000 gallons, enough water to fill the average swimming pool.[5] This water intensity drains surface and ground water sources leading to erosion, eco-system degradation, and species loss. When combined with the intensive use of chemicals, the run-off contaminates lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

It is estimated that cotton accounts for 11 percent of all pesticides and 24 percent of all insecticides used globally even though cotton is grown on just 2.4 percent of the world’s arable land.[6] About $2 billion worth of chemicals are sprayed on global cotton crops annually—almost half of which are classified as hazardous by the World Health Organization.[7] In the US it’s estimated that conventional cotton farms apply about one-third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for every pound of cotton harvested.[8]

The various chemicals used to treat conventional cotton can harm beneficial insects and soil micro-organisms, pollute ground and surface water, and adversely affect the health of humans and wildlife—including fish, birds, and livestock—alike. Additionally, up to 70 percent of seeds used in conventional cotton farming in the United States are genetically modified organisms (GMOs).[9]

Commercial dyeing

Most jeans are dyed using synthetic indigo, a petroleum derivative. Creating the synthetic indigo and then turning it into a dye requires the use of hazardous chemicals, including hydrogen cyanide and heavy metals.[2]

Glossary

• genetically modified organism (GMO): Created by merging the genetic makeup of two organisms to create a desired byproduct that could otherwise not be found in nature. Using genetically modified seed is a common practice in conventional farming. Studies have shown that GMOs pose significant environmental risks and cause some insects which feed on GM crops to become resistant to pesticides.
• hydrogen cyanide: Hydrogen cyanide is a highly poisonous chemical compound used in dyeing, explosives, engraving, and tempering steel.

External links

• Blue Jeans Blog
• fiftyrx3
• Style Will Save Us
• Sustainable Style Foundation