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UN statement urges action on fashion waste ahead of International Day for Zero Waste
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Summary
A United Nations staff member said textile production uses harmful chemicals and resources and urged governments, industry and consumers to accelerate action to cut textile waste and greenhouse-gas emissions.
A United Nations staff member urged faster action on fashion and textile waste, saying the industry consumes large amounts of resources and emits greenhouse gases that contribute to the climate crisis.
"This year's International Day of 0 Waste puts the focus on fashion and textiles," the United Nations staff member said, noting that textile production "often uses thousands of chemicals, many of them harmful to people and the environment." The speaker added that textile production "devours resources like land and water, and it belches out greenhouse gases, inflaming the climate crisis."
The statement highlighted the scale of waste in the sector, saying, "Every second, the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothing is incinerated or sent to landfill." It called for approaches that meet the Sustainable Development Goals' commitment to sustainable production and consumption.
The staff member cited industry and government initiatives as signs of progress, naming the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action convened by the United Nations and the Fashion Pact launched by the government of France. The statement also referenced the United Nations Advisory Board on 0 Waste as a partner convening actors to reduce waste from textiles and help meet the SDGs.
The speaker encouraged action from multiple sectors: consumers through purchasing choices, civil-society advocacy—especially from young people—and government regulations to improve sustainability across supply chains.
"On this International Day for 0 Waste, let's all commit to ensure fashion sense makes good sense for people and planet," the United Nations staff member said.
The statement did not specify new regulatory measures, funding amounts, or an implementation timetable.
