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They are hurtful to the environment due to the high amount of cotton, water, and pesticides used in making them.

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The Environmental and Human Cost of Making a Pair of Jeans - EcoWatch

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Americans do love their denim, so much so that the average consumer buys four pairs of jeans a year. In China’s Xintang province, a hub for denim, 300 million pairs are made annually. Just as staggering is the brew of toxic chemicals and hundreds of gallons of water it takes to dye and finish one pa…

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there using crops like cotton which they put water on to grow

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The main material blue jeans are made of is cotton, cotton requires a lot of water & pesticides to grow

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The cotton used to create jeans requires a lot of water. Cotton crops also consume a lot of chemicals. Many companies have started using renewable resources and have been recycling water. Buying from brands that use renewable resources is the best option

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Are My Denim Jeans Bad for the Environment?

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Environmental reporter Tatiana Schlossberg, author of “Inconspicuous Consumption,” says the American staple needs a 21st-century overhaul for the sake of our water, climate, and health.…

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They need a lot of cotton and water

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The environmental impact of jeans is high. In every stage of the production there us quite a heavy environmental burden. In cotton production large amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides are used. The amount of water for irrigation can be as high as 25.000 liter per kg of cotton produced.
www.iswa.org

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When jeans are made, they are made with cotton products and large amounts of water. Water along with fertilizers and pesticides are used in the making of jeans. The amount of water amount when making jeans can go up to 25.000 liter per kg of cotton produced.
(https://www.iswa.org/?eID=tx_iswaknowledgebase_download&documentUid=3184#:~:text=The%20environmental%20impact%20of%20jeans,quite%20a%20heavy%20environmental%20burden.&text=In%20cotton%20production%20large%20amounts,per%20kg%20of%20cotton%20produced.)

With "footprint", farming equipment companies aim to recycle 85% of materials and reduce carbon emissions on 90% of any, and new, products. Their goal is to lower green house gas emissions by 10% by 2025.
(https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2019/08/26/101-companies-committed-to-reducing-their-carbon-footprint/#:~:text=The%20farming%20equipment%20company%20aims,Monsanto.)

I can support the cause by not buying jeans. I don't buy jeans anyways so it wont make a different in my life. But thinking of avoiding a certain brand will make sure to stay on the top of mind, just in case I'm in the need of looking for new clothes. Also with "footprint", we can help by recycling and keeping my surrounding clean.

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Jeans are generally harmful to the environment and ecosystem of the areas where they are produced, because in the process of producing jeans, there are many harmful chemicals used. These chemicals end up washing into rivers and lakes via wastewater dumped by those companies, which results in water pollution and contamination. To decrease their "footprint", a filming company has filmed an insider documentary about how jeans are produced, hopefully convincing regular citizens to hold off on jean buying. I can support this cause by 1) not buying jeans if I can and 2) if it's still usable, consider passing them down to siblings, etc.

https://www.ecowatch.com/environmental-cost-jeans-2544519658.html

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Lots of water, fertilizers, and pesticides are used in the cotton that makes jeans.

Companies can reduce their carbon footprint by choosing an energy supply that can reduce CO2 emmisions and using renewable energy resources. I can support this cause by using some of the renewable resources like solar panels or wind mills, or just using limited amounts of energy.

https://wasteadvantagemag.com/international-what-are-businesses-doing-to-reduce-carbon-emissions/

https://www.iswa.org/?eID=tx_iswaknowledgebase_download&documentUid=3184#:~:text=The%20environmental%20impact%20of%20jeans,quite%20a%20heavy%20environmental%20burden.&text=In%20cotton%20production%20large%20amounts,per%20kg%20of%20cotton%20produced.

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Blue jeans are harmful because In cotton production large amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides are used.  Some companies are rolling out new production techniques that significantly reduce water usage, and other brands are pursuing sustainability by powering their factories with renewable energy and recycling water. By not wearing the jeans therefore making them less profitable.

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Are My Denim Jeans Bad for the Environment?

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Environmental reporter Tatiana Schlossberg, author of “Inconspicuous Consumption,” says the American staple needs a 21st-century overhaul for the sake of our water, climate, and health.…

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Blue jeans waste a lot of water becasue the cotton that is used to make the jeans uses a lot of water

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Blue jeans need a lot of cotton and water. about 7660 gallons of water is being used in the process of making jeans.

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Are My Denim Jeans Bad for the Environment?

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Environmental reporter Tatiana Schlossberg, author of “Inconspicuous Consumption,” says the American staple needs a 21st-century overhaul for the sake of our water, climate, and health.…

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Cotton, which is used to make denim, requires a lot of water to grow. Growing one kilogram of cotton can use up to 7,660 gallons of water. There are also a lot of pesticides used on the crop. A lack of industry regulation also causes water pollution and unsafe enviroments around denim factories.
Some companies are now using manufacturing techniques that use a lot less water, and others use recycled water to make their denim.
I can help this cause by purchasing jeans less often, avoiding fast fashion brands, and buying jeans second-hand.

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Fashion Insiders & Co - Grow your fashion brand the insider way!

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The cotton that is used to make blue jeans is harmful to the environment and also uses a lot of water.

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Are My Denim Jeans Bad for the Environment?

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Environmental reporter Tatiana Schlossberg, author of “Inconspicuous Consumption,” says the American staple needs a 21st-century overhaul for the sake of our water, climate, and health.…

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The cotton that is used to make blue jeans require a lot of water. The growth of cotton also usually uses a large amount of pesticides and insecticides. Companies are trying to decrease their footprint by using different ways to make the jeans. I can support this cause by just ignoring jeans because I'm not going to buy them anyways.

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Are My Denim Jeans Bad for the Environment?

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Environmental reporter Tatiana Schlossberg, author of “Inconspicuous Consumption,” says the American staple needs a 21st-century overhaul for the sake of our water, climate, and health.…

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Blue jeans waste a lot of water. the cotton used often to make them often use pesticides.

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Blue jeans need a lot of water to be made but the also need a lot of cotten which can be harmful to the enviornment if people are wasting them or not wearing them and throwing them out. They can cost a lot and some times people have to throw them away which is a waste.

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blue jeans are harmful to the environment because it takes a lot of water for it to be made and we need water.

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i dont know why are jeans harmful i dont wear jeans often so i dont know

but i dont really care about fashion and jeans theyre probably harmful because theyre made of some artificial cotton or whatever idk

You need to research ...

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They use up cotton, which uses up an incredible amount of water, pesticides, and fertilizer. Most companies aren't doing much, but I can't do anything to help because I hate jeans and never buy them.

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large amounts of water are used to produce cotton,  and water with chemicals to make blue jeans get dumped into bodies of water, practically ruining the water. I can support this cause by not buying blue jeans.

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Denim jeans are bad for the enviornment because it is fast fashion. The people making the jeans are in bad working enviornments. There is also a lot of waste from making jeans. In Xintang, China (denim capital of the world) the water is not safe to drink because of all the toxins that have been poured in. The waters smell terrible and unsafe amounts of metals like mercury, lead, and copper are in the water.

Companies like Levis are trying to decrease their footprint. They are doing this by cutting down on water and greenhouse gasses to produce the jeans.https://clearspider.net/blog/levi-strauss-co/

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Are My Denim Jeans Bad for the Environment?

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Environmental reporter Tatiana Schlossberg, author of “Inconspicuous Consumption,” says the American staple needs a 21st-century overhaul for the sake of our water, climate, and health.…

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The blue dye that rubs off your new pair of jeans is likely azo dye, the most common form of dye used in textile production. Azo dyes can release cancer-causing chemicals called amines, though some have been found to be carcinogenic because of other chemicals.

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Clothes that are billed as "waterproof," "stain resistant," or "wrinkle-free" often contain chemicals that have been linked to adverse health effects.

Many clothing items, such as blue jeans, also carry a dye that can release cancer-causing chemicals.

Toxicity depends on the dose and how often you're exposed, but there are ways to avoid chemicals like formaldehyde in your t-shirts and leather jackets.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more.

Your clothes probably aren't killing you, but they could contain some unpleasant chemicals.

Modern clothing is often formulated and treated with compounds that help soften them or prevent them from getting stained, wrinkled, or soggy. Those same compounds have been linked to adverse health effects such as skin irritation, developmental issues, and even cancer.

Take a look at some of the common chemicals lurking in your jeans, T-shirts, and workout clothes, among other items.

Raincoats, or any waterproof item, could contain "forever chemicals."

Clothing that's "waterproof" or "stain resistant" might seem like a bonus, but these words could be a tip-off that an item contains a toxic class of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS became popular in the US around the 1940s when manufacturing companies realized they could resist heat, grease, stains, and water. They're often referred to as "forever chemicals" since they can linger in the environment for thousands of years.

Though many PFAS have been phased out of the manufacturing industry, the chemicals can still be found in leather and textiles. Labels that contain the words Gore-Tox or Teflon may signal the presence of PFAS, which are commonly found in outdoor gear and "moisture-wicking" workout clothes.

Exposure to PFAS has been associated with kidney and testicular cancers, liver damage, and developmental issues, but humans are more likely to be exposed by ingested contaminated food or drinking water.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers skin contact a "minor" source of exposure, though breathing in dust from PFAS-contaminated clothing can also constitutes "low level exposure."

Popular brands have manufactured T-shirts and underwear with phthalates.

Phthalates are known for making substances like plastic durable and flexible. Although Congress instituted a federal ban on phthalates in toys and children's products in 2008, the chemicals continue to be used in manufacturing.

In 2012, the environmental watchdog Greenpeace sampled more than 140 clothing items and detected phthalates in 31 garments. Three t-shirts and a pair of underwear from popular clothing brands had "very high" concentrations of phthalates, meaning the chemical comprised up to 38% of their weight. Phthalates have also been found in jeans, raincoats, and artificial leather.

The chemicals ADHD, asthma, diabetes, and breast cancer, along with have been linked to a number of reproductive issues, including decreased reproductive functions in men and endometriosis in women. For now, phthalates pose the greatest risk to children, who might put contaminated clothing in their mouths.

The CDC has said that the human health effects of phthalates are "unknown," but "exposure is widespread" in the US.

Lead has been discovered in baby bibs.

Children are particularly susceptible to toxic chemicals since their bodies are still developing. They also weigh less, so their exposure can be higher.

That explains the public outcry in 2006 and 2007 when the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) found lead in vinyl baby bibs sold at Walmart and Babies R Us. Five of the bibs contained lead levels above 600 parts per million - the safety threshold set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission at the time (the threshold has since been lowered to 100 parts per million). The products were quickly recalled nationwide.

Children exposed to lead can suffer permanent brain damage, which often results in learning disabilities and increased violent behavior.

While bibs made of vinyl (a shorthand for polyvinyl chloride, or PVC) aren't sold as often today, it's still possible to buy them.

The chemical smell of new clothing could signal the presence of formaldehyde.

If your new clothing smells like chemicals, it's likely due to formaldehyde, a colorless gas that's frequently associated with embalming. The chemical helps to keep clothes free of wrinkles, static, or stains, even after multiple washes. That means that formaldehyde can't always be scrubbed off with detergent and water.

In 2010, the USGovernment Accountability Office (GAO) released its findings after testing 180 pieces of clothing for formaldehyde. The office found that most of the samples were below 20 parts per million - what's considered a "nondetectable" level of formaldehyde.

While inhaling the chemical has been linked to asthma, nausea, and even cancer, wearing clothes with formaldehyde is more commonly associated with dermatitis, which tends to affect those already allergic to the chemical. Symptoms of dermatitis include rashes, blisters, and itchy, dry skin.
Read more: Toxic chemicals in your home could be linked to cancer, autism, and reproductive issues. Here are 4 of the most concerning.

Azo dye, found in blue jeans, can be carcinogenic.

The blue dye that rubs off your new pair of jeans is likely azo dye, the most common form of dye used in textile production.

Azo dyes can release cancer-causing chemicals called amines, though some have been found to be carcinogenic because of other chemicals. Certain forms of azo dyes have already been banned from clothing in the European Union. Some also require a warning label under California's Proposition 65 - a state law that requires businesses to alert residents about significant exposures to toxic chemicals - though there is no ban in the US.

Thus far, scientists have determined that the health risk to consumers is relatively low, but the potential link to cancer warrants further study.

Organic compounds called NPEs lurk in many clothes.

Of the more than 140 clothing samples that Greenpeace tested in 2012, almost 90 garments showed evidence of a chemical group called nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). In addition to being used during clothing production, NPEs are found in laundry detergent.

EU manufacturers have been The chemicals have been associated with banned from producing clothing with NPEs since 2004. reproductive and developmental issues in rodents and have been found in human breast milk, blood, and urine.

The bigger concern is what happens when they're washed off your clothing. NPEs have been known to leech into waterways, posing a severe danger to aquatic animals.

Leather jackets could contain chromium.

Animal hide is treated by a process called tanning that turns it into leather. Since the days of the Industrial Revolution, tanning has relied on chromium, a chemical that makes leather stretchy and pliable.

In 2014, a slew of products were either hexavalent chromium, a form of the chemical that's Though hexavalent chromium can withdrawn or banned from entering the EU because they contained considered dangerous to human health. cause skin irritation, a 2015 Swedish study found that the chemical becomes less potent over time when it comes into contact with skin through leather.

As with other chemicals found in clothing, consumers have a lower health risk compared to leather or textile workers who work directly with toxins on a regular basis. The higher the dose and the more a person is exposed, the greater their chance of getting sick.

More: Features BI Innovation Leather Clothing

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7 toxic chemicals hiding in your waterproof, stain-resistant, and wrinkle-free clothes

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Clothes that are billed as "waterproof," "stain resistant," or "wrinkle-free" often contain chemicals that have been linked to adverse health effects. Many clothing items, such as blue jeans, also carry a dye that can release cancer-causing chemicals. Toxicity depends on the dose and how often you're exposed, but there are ways to avoid chemicals like formaldehyde in your t-shirts and leather jackets.

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They take up a huge amount of cotton and high production causes landfills to be filled due to them. They can take 8 thousand gallons of water to grow the cotton as well.

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Jeans use a ton of the cotton. In cotton production, large amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides are used. The amount of water for irrigation can be as high as 25.000 liter per kg of cotton produced. Companies are trying to find new ways to keep making jeans more safely. You can keep researching about denim to support the cause.

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Because washing clothes loosens tiny fibers that flow down the drain and into rivers, lakes and oceans. Jeans have something in them that if very harmful to the environment which are called denim.

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Blue jeans are very harmful to the environment because they use chemicals during the production process which are harmful to the environment. These chemicals are used as fertilizer on cotton, an ingredient in jeans, but can get into other bodies of water since they are used for cotton production.

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Jeans are harmful to the environment because fibers come off when they are washed and go into the ocean. Companies are trying to use less water or recycle water.

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Let’s start with the fabric. Denim is made primarily with cotton, though it’s now often blended with synthetic fibers like polyester. And though all fibers have their trade-offs, “cotton in general is a very thirsty crop,” says Tatiana Schlossberg, a former environmental reporter at the New York Times and the author of Inconspicuous Consumption, a new book on the hidden environmental impact of our spending habits. Very thirsty, indeed: Producing just 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cotton can require up to 7,660 gallons of water, depending on where it’s grown. (In comparison, producing 2.2 pounds of tomatoes requires one one-hundredth of that amount, 76 gallons.) A cotton crop consumes a lot of chemicals too: 16 percent of all insecticides are used on the plant, and many of them pose significant health risks for farm workers and nearby residents.

Levi’s believes that it is possible. In the pilot with six suppliers and the IFC, part of the Partnership for Cleaner Textiles, the manufacturers tackled “only the low-hanging fruit,” Kobori says, but still saw significant drops in energy use. Now Levi’s will also work with suppliers to assess the possibility of shifting to renewable energy, and will work with IFC to help finance onsite renewables when that makes sense. It will also expand the program to work not only with factories sewing clothes but with facilities that make the fabric–which have a carbon footprint three times larger.

Dont but jeans

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To make jeans, you have to run it through a large amount of chemical water which then gets dumped into the rivers. Companies are finding ways to come to the same result using less water, and fewer chemicals. We could do our research on which companies make jeans sustainably, and which don't and only buy from those that do.

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Denim jeans are harmful to the environment because denim requires a lot of cotton to be made. And since cotton can require up to 7,660 gallons of water when growing, it can be very harmful to the environment. A way clothes makers can help is by making jeans with organic cotton, using more eco-friendly dyes, and even recycling old pairs of jeans to make new ones. Helping these companies that are trying to decrease their carbon footprint is the best possible thing you could do. Supporting companies that are using environmentally friendly alternatives to making jeans.

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Denim is made primarily of cotton and Producing just 1 kilogram of cotton can require up to 7,660 gallons of water. Harmful chemicals are released into the earth such as toxic metals like mercury, lead, and copper have been found in the water in rivers because of manufacturers.

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Are My Denim Jeans Bad for the Environment?

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Environmental reporter Tatiana Schlossberg, author of “Inconspicuous Consumption,” says the American staple needs a 21st-century overhaul for the sake of our water, climate, and health.…

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The environmental impact of jeans is high. In every stage of the production there us quite a heavy environmental burden. In cotton production large amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides are used. The amount of water for irrigation can be as high as 25.000 liter per kg of cotton produced.
iswa.com

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Water consumption isn't the only ethical concern with denim. While cotton only takes up 2.5% of agricultural land, it accounts for 16% of all the insecticides and 6.8% of all herbicides used worldwide. Pesticides can be highly toxic and create a hazardous working environment for cotton farmers.

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Our editors curate highly rated brands that are first assessed by our rigorous ratings system. Buying through our links may earn us a commission-supporting the work we do. Denim is one of the most popular fabrics worldwide, traditionally cotton-based and used in everything from the ubiquitous jeans to stylish jackets and accessories. Unfortunately denim isn't sustainable by default-but there are better ways to make it, and better brands responsibly incorporating it. Let's take a look. Learn more.
The denim blues

From the catwalk to the countryside, ranging in price from $10 to over $500, from pants to skirts to jackets, denim is as versatile as it is hardy and trendy. Traditionally made from cotton, non-stretchable, and designed to be heavy duty owing to its workwear heritage, jeans have a rugged history. But with over 2 billion pairs produced worldwide each year, just how ethical and sustainable is our beloved blue fabric in the modern day? We've traced its journey from the field to your favourite pair of high-waisted shorts to find out, and curated a list of brands doing it better.

How denim is made

Conventionally, denim is made from twill weave cotton fabric. Cotton fibres are harvested and spun into yarn, then the yarns are dyed. Jeans are often indigo-dyed, making them the classic blue colour for denim. Cotton denim is then woven either on a shuttle loom or a projectile loom, creating a sturdier or more delicate result respectively.

While the original jean was made from 100% cotton, these days "stretch denim" is increasingly popular. Stretch denim incorporates a percentage of elastane and stretch polyesters like spandex, more suitable for the flexibility desired in skinny jeans, for example. While this addition may be comfier for certain styles, changing the fibre composition in such a way impacts the sustainability and recyclability of the final product.

A move towards better materials

Some more responsible brands are opting for comfort being imparted through the use of soft fibres such as TENCEL™ Lyocell and TENCEL™ Modal (man-made cellulosic fibres). There is also a move towards more sustainable materials in the industry in general-BCI cotton, organic cotton, recycled cotton, recycled polyester, man-made cellulosic fibres, recycled elastane, and hemp are good examples. However, it's worth noting the move towards organic cotton is not straightforward as there is not yet enough organic cotton available globally to meet demand.

The impact of a pair of jeans

To keep it simple, let's look at the impact of a conventional cotton pair of jeans on the environment and workers.

Water

A study by Levi Strauss & Co found that producing one pair of Levi jeans requires a staggering 3781 litres of water, a number that varies across the industry. Over 10% of the world's population is currently deprived of access to clean water, a staggering statistic that puts an alarming perspective on our thirsty denim purchases. Unfortunately, it tends to be the driest countries that shoulder the burden of creating the water-intensive goods that we crave. Pakistan, for example, has a large cotton industry but has been in the midst of a water crisis for years.

Today, there is a strong focus on water usage for denim brands. Several have started using tools such as Higg Facility Environment Module or Jeaonologia's EIM to record water consumption and measure environmental impact in the supply chain.

Chemicals

Water consumption isn't the only ethical concern with denim. While cotton only takes up 2.5% of agricultural land, it accounts for large quantities of insecticides. These can be highly toxic and create a hazardous working environment for cotton farmers. Between 1 and 3% of agricultural workers worldwide suffer from acute pesticide poisoning with at least 1 million requiring hospitalisation each year. Furthermore, the harsh chemicals can pollute nearby soil and water systems, threatening food supplies and creating health risks.

Dyes

In addition to the pesticides used in cotton production, harmful chemicals may also be used extensively in denim's dyeing process. Azo dyes, for example, can sometimes release carcinogenic amines. Such chemicals can be harmful to the environment and a risk to worker health and safety.

"Even traditional indigo dyeing is typically water intensive, and requires various chemistries to 'reduce' the indigo dye, thereby ensuring it will fix to the yarn," according to our resident materials expert and ratings analyst, Kate Hobson.

Hobson tells us some moves are being made towards less water intensive dyeing processes, such as foam dyeing (as used by Wrangler). It is also possible to use "spun dyed" cellulosic or synthetic yarns (where colour is added before the fibre is spun, thereby eliminating the need for garment dyeing). Lenzing, the company behind TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibres, offers examples of this.

Look for brands that use certified eco-friendly or natural dyes to avoid funding these toxic processes.

Sandblasting

Ever wondered how your favourite pair of "distressed" jeans got to look so weathered? It's not because they were hung out for months and exposed to the elements before they hit the shelves. The look is achieved through a controversial technique called sandblasting. As the name suggests, jeans are literally blasted with sand to soften the fabric and wear them down. The process poses significant health risks to workers as the fine dust particles can lodge themselves in people's lungs. There are other ways to create the distressed look such as stone-washing, sandpapering, brushing, or using lasers. While more costly than sandblasting, these methods achieve similar results.

A significant problem is that many companies don't have as much control over or knowledge of their supply chain as they should. In March 2015, for example, an undercover Al Jazeera investigation discovered Chinese workers sandblasting jeans for popular labels including Hollister and American Eagle, apparently unbeknown to the brands.

Labour

From its roots in the slave trade to current issues with child and forced labour in Uzbekistan and India, exploitation is woven into the history of cotton production. As we've seen above, many steps in the denim manufacturing process pose significant risks to workers' safety. There are also issues in countries such as West and Central Africa and Brazil where farmers are unable to compete with the cost of US-subsidised cotton.

The verdict?

Denim production can have serious social and environmental consequences. However, this is not the way it has to be. There are denim brands, both big and small, that are committed to people and the planet. If you're on the market for denim, here are some of the best ways to reduce the footprint of your purchase:

look for jeans made from better materials like recycled or organic cotton or hemp

opt for high-quality jeans designed for longevity in both durability and style that you will wear for years to come

shop sturdy second hand or pre-loved jeans to extend their life

for the best chance of recyclability at end of life, go for jeans made from 98% cellulosic fibres such as cotton, hemp, viscose, lyocell, modal, or linen

You can discover responsible denim brands in our directory, or simply read on to see some of our favourites.

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Material Guide: How Ethical and Sustainable Is Denim? - Good On You

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How sustainable is denim? We've traced its journey from the humble cotton seed to your favourite pair of high-waisted shorts to find out.

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Jeans are high in production and even though aren't fast fashion fill up many landfills. It is bad for the environment to use cotton because of the large amount of pesticides and water used.  Overall blue jeans are chemically bad for the environment and use a lot of water for production. Companies are trying to find ways to use less water while coming up to the same results. Research jeans that might not use that much water or don't buy blue jeans.

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The environmental impact of jeans is high. In every stage of the production there us quite a heavy environmental burden. In cotton production large amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides are used. The amount of water for irrigation can be as high as 25.000 liter per kg of cotton produced.
www.iswa.org

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The environmental impact of jeans is high. In every stage of the production there us quite a heavy environmental burden. In cotton production large amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides are used. The amount of water for irrigation can be as high as 25.000 liter per kg of cotton produced.

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To Promote and Develop Sustainable and Professional Waste Management Worldwide and the transition to a Circular Economy

ISWA's vision is an Earth where no waste exists. Waste should be reused and reduced to a minimum, then collected, recycled and treated properly. Residual matter should be disposed of in a safely engineered way, ensuring a clean and healthy environment. All people on earth should have the right to enjoy an environment with clean air, water, seas and soils. To be able to achieve this, we need to work together.

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ISWA | the number 1 Waste Management Network

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ISWA's vision is an Earth where no waste exists. Waste should be reused and reduced to a minimum, then collected, recycled and treated properly. Residual matter should be disposed of in a safely engineered way, ensuring a clean and healthy environment.

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The environmental impact of jeans is high. In every stage of the production there us quite a heavy environmental burden. In cotton production large amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides are used. The amount of water for irrigation can be as high as 25.000 liter per kg of cotton produced. (iswa.com) Companies are trying to save as much water to reduce the footprint.