New York: Europe and the Arabs
"Every second, enough clothing is burned or thrown away to fill a garbage truck." This is a statistic used by the United Nations Secretary-General to warn of the disastrous environmental impacts of the fashion and fast fashion industries.
Secretary-General António Guterres was speaking at an event held at the United Nations General Assembly headquarters to mark the International Day to End Waste, during which the First Lady of Turkey, Emine Erdoğan, spoke.
The designation of the international day was established by a General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2022 at the initiative of Turkey, which was joined by many UN member states. According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, a copy of which we received on Friday morning,
Secretary-General Guterres called for urgent action to reduce the devastating impact of the textile industry on the planet. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting sectors in the world, contributing up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
This industry consumes massive amounts of water—215 trillion liters annually, equivalent to 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools—and uses thousands of chemicals, many of which are harmful to human health and ecosystems.
Despite these staggering figures, clothing is produced and discarded at unprecedented rates, driven by business models that prioritize speed and ease of disposal over sustainability.
Globally, humans produce more than two billion tons of waste annually—enough to envelop the planet 25 times if placed in shipping containers—polluting land, air, and water, disproportionately affecting the poorest communities.
Guterres warned that the fashion waste crisis is just a symptom of a much larger global problem. “The rich world is flooding the global South with garbage, from old computers to single-use plastics,” he said. Many countries lack the infrastructure to address even a small fraction of what washes up on their beaches, leading to increased pollution and hazardous working conditions for waste collectors.
This year's International Day for Zero Waste highlights the fashion industry, highlighting the staggering levels of resource consumption and pollution in an industry that is rapidly changing, with clothes being thrown away after just a few wears.
Experts estimate that doubling the lifespan of a garment could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44%.
Guterres urged everyone to contribute to the fight against waste: "Fashion designers are experimenting with recycled materials. Consumers are increasingly embracing sustainability. In many countries, resale markets (for pre-owned clothing) are booming."
The Secretary-General emphasized the need for governments to implement policies and regulations that promote sustainability and zero-waste initiatives, and for businesses to move beyond "environmental misinformation" and take concrete steps to reduce waste, increase recycling, and improve resource efficiency across supply chains. Consumers, in turn, can play a crucial role by making environmentally responsible choices, including reducing overconsumption and engaging in resale markets. The Secretary-General emphasized that combating waste requires global coordination that goes beyond the fashion industry.
He noted that more than a billion people live in slums or informal settlements that lack proper waste management, posing serious health risks. Unregulated waste disposal and poor waste disposal practices exacerbate pollution and biodiversity loss worldwide.
The Secretary-General called on everyone to commit to playing their part in building a healthier, more sustainable world.