Tackling textile waste

International day of zero waste

Every year, humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of rubbish, and that figure will increase to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050 unless we act to make urgent changes. Waste pollution threatens human health, costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars every year, and aggravates the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste. 

The University is committed to a sustainable future.

Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles

Each year, 30 March is the International Day of Zero Waste. This year’s theme, Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles, focuses on the urgent need to reduce the waste impact from the fashion and textile sector and promote sustainability and circularity. 

What can I do?

• Buy second hand – charity shops can be a goldmine of quality clothing at discount prices
• Invest in high-quality, enduring clothes rather than fashion
• Make your clothes last – to quote a post-war slogan, “mend and make do to save buying new”!
• Buy from certified b-corps dedicated to a sustainable, circular (as opposed to throwaway) economy