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What kind of life cycle of a jeans in terms of carbon foot prints. Does it make sense to stop manufacturing jeans or should we stop washing jeans.

The denim industry has a significant impact on the environment, with each pair of jeans carrying a heavy carbon footprint throughout its lifecycle[1][2]. The production of denim clothing involves vast quantities of water, toxic chemicals, and harmful emissions that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental damage[1][2][5]. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), it takes 3,781 liters of water to make a pair of jeans, from the production of the cotton to the delivery of the final product to the store[2]. The carbon footprint of a single pair of jeans is around 33.4 kg of CO2, with 16.2 kg CO2 estimated to be manufacturing emissions[1][2]. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined[2].

Denim production involves various harmful chemicals, including pesticides, fertilizers, dyes, and finishing agents that harm the environment[1]. Up to 20% of fabric is wasted in the production of denim clothing, much of which ends up in landfills or is incinerated, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental damage[1]. However, there are more and more brands that produce sustainable denim clothing, using organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other eco-friendly materials[1][5].

Washing jeans also has an impact on the environment, with hot washes and tumble drying contributing to a larger carbon footprint[5]. However, washing jeans less frequently and using cold washes and efficient washing machines can significantly reduce their environmental impact[6].

In conclusion, the denim industry has a significant impact on the environment, and there is a need for sustainable practices and eco-friendly materials to mitigate and minimize this impact. While washing jeans less frequently and using cold washes and efficient washing machines can help reduce their environmental impact, it is also important to consider the impact of the entire lifecycle of denim clothing.

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Citations:
[1] The Environmental Impact of the Denim Industry – MAKE FASHION BETTER https://www.makefashionbetter.com/blog/the-environmental-impact-of-the-denim-industry
[2] How Much Do Our Wardrobes Cost to the Environment? – World Bank https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2019/09/23/costo-moda-medio-ambiente
[3] Critical Review on Sustainability in Denim: A Step toward Sustainable Production and Consumption of Denim | ACS Omega https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.2c06374
[4] Understanding Denim Recycling: A Quantitative Study with Lifecycle Assessment Methodology | IntechOpen https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/72493
[5] Blue jeans: An iconic fashion item that’s costing the planet dearly – Mongabay https://news.mongabay.com/2022/11/blue-jeans-an-iconic-fashion-item-thats-costing-the-planet-dearly/
[6] How Sustainable Are Denim Fabrics? A Life-Cycle Analysis | Impactful Ninja https://impactful.ninja/how-sustainable-are-denim-fabrics/