Procrastination is a problem that we all face.

In fact, it’s more likely than not that you’re probably procrastinating right now! (Don’t worry: We won’t tell anyone.)

There’s always internal and external pressure to get things done. But sometimes, it feels like there’s just no way we can get our homework done by the deadline, or work on a big project by the deadline. And it’s easy to feel like you’re alone in your struggle. It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one who just… doesn’t want to do anything productive with their time.

Procrastination is the common enemy of every person on this planet, the thief of time, and the destroyer of dreams. We have all felt its grip.

But you’re not alone! In fact, statistics show us that we’re ALL procrastinators—and that even if it feels like we’ve got everything together, we could still probably be more efficient with our time.

No matter how much experience you have with procrastination, it’s never too late to learn more about it. In fact, learning about the science behind why people procrastinate can help you hone your skills as a master procrastinator and make sure that the time you spend putting off your work is actually worthwhile (and yes, we know that sounds like a contradiction).

Read on below for our curated list of procrastination statistics that are guaranteed* to help you become an even better procrastinator (*not really guaranteed).

Fundamental Procrastination Statistics (Editor’s Picks)

Here are some fascinating statistics about procrastination to help you overcome your tendency to put things off.

• Only 5% of adults were chronic procrastinators in the 1970s.
• An estimated 15–20% of the adult population are chronic procrastinators.
• The average person spends 55 days a year procrastinating.
• Around 80–95% of college students report procrastinating at some point.
• 88% of employees admit that they procrastinate for at least an hour per day.
• 28% of students indicate tiredness as a cause of procrastination.
• 94% of people say that procrastination negatively impacts their happiness.

General Procrastination Statistics

1. In the 1970s, only 5% of adults were considered chronic procrastinators.

(Scientific Research Publishing)

Considering the percentage of adult procrastinators right now, which is at most at 20%, this statistic is really worrisome. Nowadays, with the digital age and having more forms of distraction, the actual rate of procrastination could be higher than what we see in these studies.

2. Approximately 15–20% of the adult population are chronic procrastinators.

(Scientific Research Publishing)

On top of this percentage, one out of four adults identifies procrastination as their defining trait. Studies are divided when it comes to the root cause of procrastination. Some say it has something to do with lack of motivation, while others say it has nothing to do with self-control but more about the task itself being inherently unpleasant.

3. The age group of 14–29 years olds procrastinates the most.

(National Library of Medicine)

A German Representative Community Study published in the National Library of Medicine found that procrastination decreases with age. Naturally, younger people were more likely to procrastinate than older age groups, especially younger men. It probably has to do with the distractions that come with youth.

4. 74% of people surveyed in a study stated that they procrastinate their bedtime at least once a week.

(ResearchGate)

Many people engage in numerous forms of procrastination—even to the point of going to bed later than planned. According to a study conducted on an adult sample, 74% procrastinated like this at least once a week. When they were asked why, they couldn’t give an external reason.

5. The average person spends 55 days a year procrastinating.

(LinkedIn)

That’s almost two months a year or 218 minutes per day spent on procrastination. This trend is likely to go upwards in this digital age if people don’t practice mindfulness and mood regulation.

Student Procrastination Statistics

You’ve got an essay due in seven hours. The problem? You haven’t even started.

But here’s the thing: you’re not alone!

In fact, procrastination is one of the biggest pains in the butt that plagues students everywhere—all over the world and every day of the year.

6. Around 80–95% of college students procrastinate.

(Edutopia)

Although this is hardly surprising since most procrastinators come from this age group, it can still be quite problematic. To top it off, 75% of college students consider themselves chronic procrastinators.

According to a survey conducted by StudyMode, an ed-tech company, 87% of high school and college students admit they procrastinate.

7. 50% of college students admit that their procrastination habit is consistent and problematic.

(Edutopia)

Procrastination is a common occurrence among students — not just among college students but also among elementary, middle school, and graduate students. In fact, it’s so common among students that there is a term called student syndrome, which is the tendency to put off tasks until the last minute.

8. 65–75% of graduate students want to reduce their procrastination.

(IU Scholarly Communication Blog)

Procrastination is higher among graduate students than undergraduate students. However, both groups recognize the negative effects of procrastination and work towards reducing it, if not stopping it altogether.

Among graduate students, procrastination is associated with task aversion, self-efficacy, fear of failure, and other types of academic-related anxiety.

9. Male students have a higher tendency than female students to procrastinate.

(PR Newswire)

Regardless of age, male students are more likely to procrastinate or put off their homework. Statistics show that an astounding 92% of male college students procrastinate. When it comes to the common method of procrastination, female high school students most likely use social media, while male high school students spend their time playing video games.

10. 46% of students always or almost always put off writing term papers.

(Solving Procrastination)

Among students, the frequency of procrastination depends on the task involved. Based on a study, students seem to procrastinate the most on writing their term papers, with 46% of them putting it off until the last minute. Additionally, 28% of students put off studying for exams.

11. 10% of students procrastinate on general school activities.

(Solving Procrastination)

On the other hand, when it comes to general school activities, only 10% of students procrastinate. However, 11% put off administrative tasks, and 23% put off attendance tasks.

12. Students state that procrastination takes up a third of their daily activities.

(Solving Procrastination)

This comes in the form of sleeping, playing video games, watching TV, or browsing the internet — probably also involves watching cat videos. Unfortunately, this causes students to miss critical deadlines and rush to complete their coursework.

Workplace Procrastination Statistics

13. 88% of employees admit that they procrastinate for at least an hour per day.

(Darius Foroux)

This survey included data from 2,219 workers. With this statistic, it’s safe to admit that procrastination is a rampant problem in the workforce and life in general. Procrastination decreases employee productivity and hinders employees from reaching their full potential.

14. An estimated 76% of entrepreneurs report procrastinating for one to four hours per day.

(Darius Foroux)

According to a study by author Darius Foroux, there are more “casual procrastinators” among salaried workers (80%) than the self-employed. These are individuals who procrastinate for one to four hours per day.

15. An estimated 10.9% of salaried workers report that they don’t procrastinate.

(Darius Foroux)

As a stark contrast, 14.5% of self-employed individuals don’t procrastinate. The key to beating procrastination is consistency. When you consistently deliver results, you’re more likely to be motivated.

There is a lot of incentive for entrepreneurs to help their employees avoid procrastination. For example, an employee earning $40,000 per year and procrastinating for three hours a day can cause a productivity loss of $15,000.

16. There are more “hardcore procrastinators” among entrepreneurs than salaried employees.

(Darius Foroux)

“Hardcore procrastinators” waste at least half of their workday to procrastinate. Among entrepreneurs, 9.7% waste four hours or more of their workday. However, among salaried workers, this percentage is only at 8.7%.

Why Do People Procrastinate?

17. 50% of people pinpoint the nature of the task as the reason for procrastinating.

(AU Studypedia)

Upon going into specifics, two common reasons why people procrastinate due to their task are either that the task is viewed as boring or the punishments or rewards are far off into the future. For example, if you still have a month to finish an assignment, you’re more likely to put it off at the last minute.

18. Low self-confidence was a cause for procrastination among 8% of individuals.

(AU Studypedia)

Having low self-confidence can cause you to doubt your ability to complete the task at hand successfully. You could also likely be afraid to fail, and this fear of failure can cause you to procrastinate and avoid the task.

19. 28% of students indicate tiredness as a cause of procrastination.

(AU Studypedia)

Studies show that tiredness or not having the energy to start a task is one of the top three culprits of students procrastinating. Students state that they’re tired because of a couple of reasons, including lack of sleep and having a high academic workload.

20. 6.4% of students admit that their procrastination is influenced by sensation seeking.

(AU Studypedia)

However, keep in mind that this only has little influence on the procrastination habits of students. Students were found to like the sensation and challenge that comes with putting off doing their tasks at the last minute.

The Negative Impact of Procrastination

21. 94% of people report that procrastination negatively impacts their happiness.

(ScaleUp)

The Procrastination Research Group conducted a survey involving 10,000 respondents and found that 94% of the respondents believe that procrastination affects their happiness negatively.

It’s more than just putting things off until the last minute; procrastination also causes people to lie to justify their delays, which can lead to disaster and cause unhappiness.

22. 70% of procrastinators are likely to be less happy than the average person.

(ScaleUp)

This statistic was found by the Procastinus website survey center. Chronic procrastination can cause unhappiness. You regret not getting the job done promptly, and you feel guilt and shame. You might also feel anxious about not finishing the task. It’s a vicious cycle that can be challenging to break.

23. Those who have a higher tendency to procrastinate comprise 57% of unemployed individuals.

(Solving Procrastination)

This study split procrastinators into two groups based on their tendency to procrastinate. The results showed that those who procrastinate more are likely to belong among the unemployed population. If you procrastinate applying for a job, you’re less likely to get one.

24. A single-point increase on a five-point procrastination tendency scale translates to an estimated $15,000 salary drop.

(Solving Procrastination)

It is no surprise that people who procrastinate more don’t necessarily get salary raises or promotions. Employers love workers who get things done, so they’re likely to get higher salaries as well. Procrastination also causes employers to lose valuable work hours, which can hurt their overall profit margin.

25. 45% of students report that procrastination regularly affects their grades negatively.

(PR Newswire)

This statistic is according to a survey conducted by StudyMode involving 1,300 high school and college students. When asked about their study habits, these students reported that their habitual procrastination affected their grades negatively on a regular basis.

Related Questions

What percentage of the population are procrastinators?

Despite 94% of people indicating in one survey that procrastination hurts their happiness, 15–20% of adults still report being chronic procrastinators. Additionally, approximately 25% of the adult population identify procrastination as a defining trait for them, which is concerning, to say the least.

What percentage of students struggle with procrastination?

You need to brace yourself for this next one. Studies by the American Psychological Association (APA) show that anywhere from 80–95% of college students are, to some degree, procrastinators — particularly when it comes to their coursework.

This range is shocking because it shows that at least four out of five college students have a problem with procrastination. In fact, 70% of college students identify as procrastinators, while 50% state that they procrastinate consistently, and it’s becoming problematic.

What age group procrastinates the most?

According to a German representative community study published on the National Library of Medicine, procrastination was highest in the youngest age group (14–29 years old). In particular, the males were bigger procrastinators than the females in this age group. The study consisted of 1,350 women and 1,177 men between 14 and 95 years old.

How long does the average person procrastinate?

According to a YouGov survey, the average person spends 218 minutes per day procrastinating. That is equivalent to a whopping 55 days spent procrastinating each year.

Additional statistics show that an average of 1.59 hours per day of procrastination is spent on the internet. In this digital age, the procrastination trend is moving upward rather than downward, so the actual numbers could be higher than what is found in these studies.

What is the psychology behind procrastination?

Psychologists have linked procrastination to several factors, including lack of structure in one’s routine, low self-confidence, anxiety, or simply the lack of motivation to complete distressing or enormous tasks. Further research shows that obsessing over negative thoughts can lead to procrastination.

Conclusion

And there you have it— procrastination statistics that prove the world is full of people like you and me who just can’t seem to get around to things.

What’s really interesting about looking at statistics like these is that we realize we’re not alone. It’s easy to feel isolated or lonely when we’re lying in bed at 3 AM, thinking about all the things we’re supposed to be doing but didn’t do. But that’s not true! We’re part of a worldwide community of procrastinators!

We hope this list has been helpful and encouraging, and that it can help you learn a little bit more about why you procrastinate and how you can break away from some common traps.

Do you have any thoughts on this subject? Do any of these statistics surprise or shock you? Let us know what you think by sending us an email!

If you feel like you aren’t ready to tackle your problems yet, that’s okay too. But if you can start taking action today, what are you waiting for? Don’t wait any longer! Go out there and start working on the things that matter most to you.

Thanks for reading!

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Sources

• Scientific Research Publishing
• National Library of Medicine
• ResearchGate
• LinkedIn
• Edutopia
• IU Scholarly Communication Blog
• PR Newswire
• Solving Procrastination
• Darius Foroux
• AU Studypedia
• ScaleUp

If you’re like us, you can’t get enough of sustainable fashion statistics. That’s why we’ve gathered the latest sustainable fashion stats to share with you in one place. We’re breaking down everything from the impact of your current wardrobe to the growth of sustainable fashion brands and how the fashion industry is working to reduce its impact on the environment.

The fashion industry has harmed both society and the environment globally. Most fast fashion industries don’t even pay their workers a living wage. What’s more, textile production contributes immensely to climate change. More than aviation and shipping! It is also difficult to recycle clothes made from synthetic material, and thus the value of these clothes is lost.

However, now more than ever, people are switching to sustainable brands.

Sustainable Fashion Industry Statistics

Sustainability is much needed today to combat the rising negative effects of climate change and poverty. The trend of overconsuming clothes has dire consequences on society and the environment. This is exactly the aim of the fast fashion industry – getting consumers to buy endless clothes.

The amount of carbon emissions from the fashion industry is appalling. However, there are brands that have committed themselves to sourcing sustainable products. People are also paying more attention to eco-friendly products.

Sustainable fashion is geared at minimizing the impact of sourcing, manufacturing, and designing clothes. It aims to benefit the community, environment, and fashion industry by using eco-friendly materials.

We all love clothes! So why not wear both stunning and sustainable clothes that do not harm the environment and our communities?

Let’s look at statistics that give us hope for the future.

1. Interest in sustainable fashion has been steadily growing in the US.

(Google Trends)

Sustainable fashion, put simply, is about making clothes that have as little impact on the environment as possible. That means that all factors of production—from choosing sustainable materials to manufacturing, shipping, and disposal—are taken into account when creating clothes.

Sustainable fashion refers to clothing that is designed, produced, and delivered with consideration for environmental impact. This can include everything from using organic cotton or recycled materials in production to cutting down on travel pollution while shipping products around the world.

It’s no secret that the fashion industry has a reputation for being one of the most polluting industries in the world. From the enormous amount of clothing we produce (and throw away) each year to the chemicals used in textile dyeing and processing, it’s clear that our collective love for fashion has come at an awful cost to the planet.

Fortunately, more and more people are beginning to understand this. Data shows that interest in sustainable fashion has been growing over the last five years, and it’s easy to see why: with environmental concerns on everyone’s minds and a new health crisis on our hands, people are looking for ways to reduce their negative impact on the Earth.

The data on sustainable fashion is in. Consumer interest in sustainable fashion has been on the rise, and the trend shows no sign of abating anytime soon.

According to Google Trends, interest in the topic “sustainable fashion” has been growing steadily since 2015. In fact, it hit its peak in July 2020. That was the month when interest in sustainable fashion was at its highest point over the last five years. The pandemic and rising health concerns may be the reason why sustainable fashion was such a popular topic during this time period.

2. 35% of US consumers are willing to pay significantly more for sustainable fashion.

(Statista)

In a recent study, 35% of customers in the United States reported that they would be willing to pay significantly more money for clothing that is either biodegradable, recyclable or sustainably produced.

That’s a huge number of people! It’s almost like we’re reaching a tipping point, where people are starting to consider sustainability when they make their fashion choices.

This news is exciting for a lot of reasons, not just because it’s great for the environment. It means that customers are also willing to pay more for fair labor conditions, which is good news for companies that are committed to treating their workers well and making sure they’re not being exploited.

3. 66% of consumers consider sustainability when they buy clothes.

(McKinsey)

McKinsey US Cohort conducted a survey, and its findings indicate that 66% of people consider sustainability before purchasing a product. Around 88% of consumers want brands to be more eco-friendly. There is more awareness regarding the impact harmful materials like plastic, and unsustainable cotton have.

Around 60% of the clothes we wear are made from plastic. Some of these materials are polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetics. It is no secret that a lot of our plastic ends up in the ocean. What you probably do not know is that a lot of this plastic comes from synthetic fibers. These synthetic fibers come from the material used by brands to make low-quality and cheap clothing.

The fabric is synthetic and contaminates the environment just by being washed. These fires lead to the ocean and add to microplastic pollution. These fibers are then ingested by wildlife. Fast fashion clothing comprises synthetic and cheap materials that do not last long. These materials rarely break down in landfills.

4. Unsustainable fast fashion has seen almost a 50% decrease in sales

(Forbes)

Fast fashion is slowly being replaced by slow fashion. Consumers are more aware of the importance and ethics of sustainability. So much so that there has been an estimated 50% decrease in fast fashion sales. Consumers are steadily opting instead for eco-friendly and reusable, or recyclable clothing.

However, fashion brands still have a long way to go to meet the needs of consumers. At least people are making an effort to search for more sustainable fashion options. It is estimated that between 79 and 93 billion cubic meters of water are used annually to make clothes. Approximately 2700 liters of water are used to make one t-shirt. The amount of water used is shocking considering the globe’s water scarcity, especially in developing countries.

Cotton uses the most water of all materials but is half of the carbon footprint of polyester. Cotton requires around 10 gallons per plant, thereby pulling away water that is much needed by communities. When making one cotton shirt, the release of carbon emissions is the same as driving your car for 56 km. Thus, cotton’s carbon footprint is extremely high. The decrease in sales means people finally pay attention to the chemicals released from making cheap and fast clothing.

A garment worker in Ethiopia makes around 26 USD per month. The fashion industry has had a major impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations. Fast fashion is destructive, and it is important to address this issue as quickly as possible. Not only does the fashion industry contribute to climate change, but it also negatively impacts people’s basic human rights.

Approximately 0.6% of the price goes to the garment worker. The exploitation of workers is a common practice in the fashion industry. Many people, especially low-skilled immigrants, are forced to work for these companies. This is despite the fact that they get paid below the minimum wage. Because of this, workers are trapped in a cycle of poverty. Thereby making it impossible for these people to have a reasonable standard of living.

Viscose is a common fiber used to create clothing. Approximately 150 million trees are cut down every year to produce the wood pulp needed to manufacture viscose.

5. Sustainable fashion is a growing industry, currently worth over 6.35 billion US dollars.

(Business Research Company)

Many people seem to be finally paying attention to the environment and communities instead of only their wardrobes. Sustainable fashion has been receiving a ton of awareness in recent years.

According to statistics, the fashion industry is worth over 6.35 billion USD. It is expected to grow to 8.25 billion USD by 2023. Therefore, sustainable fashion barely accounts for 0.33% of the global fashion industry, which is currently worth over $1.9 trillion.

The annual growth rate of sustainable fashion is expected to be around 8.7% to 9.1%. The growth is great news since the environment is negatively impacted by unsustainable fast fashion.

6. The animal cruelty-free sector comprises a 40% share of the sustainable fashion market.

(Entrepreneur)

The ethical fashion market can be divided into eco-friendly, animal cruelty-free, and charitable brands. Of these three, 40% is made up of the animal cruelty-free market (meaning, of course, that it does not involve animal testing or the use of animal products). 

Still not sure what we mean? Think about it this way. If you’ve ever eaten a hamburger, chances are you’ve also bought a leather jacket. The leather jacket was made from an animal, and the animal was tested on before becoming your jacket. This is one example of how fashion can be cruel to animals.

In contrast, if you wear vegan leather shoes, you’re wearing a sustainable product that hasn’t hurt any animals in the process of getting to your feet. Not only will you look fabulous, but you’ll also feel good knowing that nothing suffered for your outfit choice!

If you love fashion and want to help keep everyone safe in the process, look into cruelty-free options that are available near you. You might be surprised at all the different options out there!

What’s more, the projected growth rate of eco-friendly markets is higher than that of other sectors in the sustainable fashion market. It is set to grow fastest of all at an annual rate of 11.6%.

7. One in three Americans would shop at a sustainable clothing store if one existed nearby.

(Genomatica)

US consumers are looking to make environmentally-conscious choices regarding clothing. A survey of 2000 adults and teens indicates that one in three consumers would purchase all their clothes at a sustainable clothing store. However, it is difficult to find such a store.

Let’s face it: we all love to shop, but it can feel like a guilty pleasure. That’s why people are always on the lookout for a sustainable clothing store nearby—a place where you can shop guilt-free. They want to feel good about their purchases, without worrying that their favorite items were made unethically or at the expense of human and animal rights.

This is great news for the environment! Being more environmentally conscious has never been easier, and it’s never been more of a priority.

8. 86% of American consumers express an interest in sustainable products.

(Genomatica)

Studies show that 86% of consumers believe that sustainability is a good goal. Consumers in the United States are more aware of issues that plague the environment and communities caused by the fashion industry.

When it comes to purchasing goods, it isn’t enough just to have a product that is functional or aesthetically pleasing. Consumers today are increasingly looking to align their purchases with their values, and sustainable practices are one of the most important factors that consumers take into account when making purchase decisions.

This is fantastic news, especially considering that the majority of Americans are not aware of the negative environmental impact their daily lives have on the planet.

By increasing awareness and access to sustainable options, we can have a big impact on reducing carbon emissions and the waste produced by outright trash or clogging landfills with items that could be recycled.

9. 48% of US consumers are unsure where to find sustainable clothing.

(Genomatica)

Since fast fashion is such a cheap and speedy industry, most consumers (48% of them) do not even know which stores sell sustainable clothes.

We don’t know if you’re one of them, but if we had to guess, we’d say that you probably are. And that means you’re entering a minefield whenever you go shopping for clothes because most of the clothing sold at all major retailers is made by underpaid workers with no rights or protections.

The results do show that brands have some work to do in making it easier for consumers to shop in a more environmentally-friendly way, but they also show that we have reason to be hopeful!

10. 55% of shoppers want clothing brands to help them understand how their products are more sustainable than alternatives.

(Genomatica)

People are realizing more and more how important it is to make sustainable choices when it comes to purchasing clothing. More than half (55%) of shoppers surveyed say they would like their clothing brands to help them understand how their products are more sustainable than alternatives. On top of that, 50% say that a sustainability label would help them identify sustainable clothes while shopping.

So what does this mean for your business? Does it mean you should start adding a sustainability label to all your products? Well, maybe, but there are a lot of reasons behind why people want sustainable clothing, and those reasons might be different for everyone.

Consumers don’t just want the options—they want the info. The study found that shoppers want more information about their clothing, including details on where it was made and how it was manufactured, as well as insight into how the brand has worked to lower its carbon footprint and reduce water waste during the manufacturing process.

So if you’re going to use a sustainability label, it may also be important to give people more information about what makes your products sustainable—to explain it in terms all customers can understand.

11. One-half of consumers consciously make choices to be more sustainable.

(Genomatica)

Around 52% of US consumers are consciously making sustainable choices and know the importance of giving up on fast fashion. The more people know the importance, the more can be done to recycle and utilize clothes.

A lack of recycling and utilization has led to the loss of 500 billion USD of valued clothes per year. While many donate to charities or thrift shops, almost none of these clothes are recycled. Nearly 60% of all clothing ends up in incinerators or landfills within years of being made.

12. 88% of consumers are wary of so-called “greenwashing” brands that claim to be environmentally friendly.

(Genomatica)

If you’re tired of brands that claim to be eco-friendly but fail to deliver, we’ve got good news! You’re not alone.

Recent studies indicate that 88% of consumers are wary of so-called “greenwashing” brands. That’s right—88%. That’s almost 9 out of every 10 people.

There’s more to being green than slapping some leaves on a logo and calling it a day.

It’s no secret that we’re in the middle of an environmental crisis, and consumers are getting more and more savvy about what makes a business really environmentally responsible—and what doesn’t.

The term “greenwashing” refers to companies that claim to be eco-friendly, but whose products and practices don’t actually contribute to a healthier environment. Customers are wary of this kind of marketing because they recognize how important it is to support businesses with genuine sustainability practices, not just ones who put on a good show.

So keep your green products green and your greenwashing practices at bay!

13. 42% of Americans are confused about what makes clothing sustainable.

(Genomatica)

Almost half of US consumers do not understand sustainability or what it entails. People should be made more aware of the importance of sustainability. There are dire consequences for people who work in unsustainable clothing supply chain stores.

77% of 71 clothing retailers are likely to have forced labor in their supply chains in the UK. Only 2% of garment workers earn a living wage. These people are also paid less than the minimum wage and stay in an unending cycle of poverty.

Labor issues are prominent at big brands such as Gap, Puma, Prada, Shein, and Fashion Nova. Minimum wages, forced labor, forced child labor, gender discrimination, and unsafe working environments are among the top issues. Australia’s Ethical Fashion Report of 2019 indicates that only 5% of 130 companies pay a living wage to their workers.

Most garment workers in the UK are women. Due to their working conditions, they had the highest COVID-19 death rate, at an estimated 65 per 100,000 people. Those who had symptoms of COVID were threatened with being fired and ordered to keep working. By being made aware, more people will attempt to make the switch to sustainable brands.

Only buying clothes because they are the cheapest is an issue because of the impact synthetic clothes have. Microfibers released when washing synthetic material stand at 1,174 milligrams. These microfibers travel to local wastewater treatment plants. Approximately 40% of these microfibers can end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

This water is then ingested by animals and people, which can have adverse health effects. Polluting the water in this way also contributes to the high death rate of marine animals.

70% of clothing donated in Europe end up in Africa. These synthetic and low-quality clothes can damage Africa’s environment and economy.

14. In 2021, OVS was ranked first among fashion brands for transparency.

(Fashion Revolution)

Fashion is a notoriously murky industry, where consumers are often unaware of the conditions under which their clothing was produced.

This past year, OVS (78%) was ranked as the highest-scoring fashion brand in terms of transparency, beating out giants like H&M (66%) and Calvin Klein (59%) among others.

The ranking is conducted by Fashion Revolution, an organization that aims to increase consumer awareness of garment production through its annual Fashion Transparency Index. The organization ranks brands based on how transparent they are about their supply chains and working conditions.

Brands are given a score out of 100 for their policies and actions on key areas like: policy and commitments, governance, traceability, know-your-suppliers, and worker’s voice. The score also takes into account whether there’s a process in place for workers to share feedback with management.

15. 36 major fashion companies have vowed to use only sustainable cotton by 2025.

(Textile Exchange)

The following brands have pledged to switch to 100% sustainable cotton for their clothing by 2025:

• A-Z
• Adidas
• ASOS
• BikBOk
• Burberry
• Burton Snowboards
• Carlings
• Coyuchi
• Cubus
• Days like This
• Dressmann
• EILEEN FISHER
• F&F at Tesco
• Green fibers
• H&M
• Hanky Panky
• House of Fraser
• IKEA
• Indigenous Designs
• KappAhl
• Kathmandu
• Kering
• Levi’s
• Lindex
• M&S
• Mantis World
• Nike
• Otto Group
• prAna
• Sainsbury’s
• SkunkFunk
• Timberland
• Urban
• Volt
• Woolworths
• Wow 

Many brands are aiming to eliminate emissions by 2050 and using sustainable sources. Some of these companies include Adidas, Stella McCartney, etc. Other companies have already answered the call. The following companies are sustainably leading the way:

• Rothy’s
• Tentree
• Everlane
• Pact
• Reformation
• Patagonia
• Eileen Fisher
• Amour Vert
• People Tree

16. The ethical clothing market in the United Kingdom saw a 19.9% increase in 2018.

(Ethical Consumer)

Due to the increase of awareness on sustainability, the ethical clothing market has risen by 19.9%. It has also been found that more people go thrifting instead of buying new clothes.

People have realized the detrimental impact of fast fashion. Fast fashion refers to clothing produced on a mass scale. It is made quickly, cheaply, and in styles that are trending. The purpose of fast fashion marketers is to get runway styles that can be sold to shoppers quickly as possible. The quality or external cost does not matter.

Fast fashion has dire consequences for communities and our environment. The industry accounts for the release of more carbon dioxide than international flights and maritime shipping combined! Yes, you read that right. It makes up 8 to 10% of carbon emissions. It makes sense that fast fashion produces this much carbon emissions, given the clothes’ short lifespan.

If this continues, greenhouse gas emissions can increase up to 50% in 10 years for the fashion industry alone. The production of polyester production alone emits approximately 700 million tons of greenhouse gases annually. We need to do more by consuming less, purchasing quality and sustainable clothes, washing our clothes less, and recycling it.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the state of sustainable fashion. We were surprised by a few of the statistics in here (for one, how fast the industry is growing!). As we learn more about the state of the planet and its people, it seems like a lot to take on—but small changes can make a big difference.

One of those small changes is paying attention to where your clothes come from and how they are made. You can make a little effort to buy clothing from brands that give back and make their clothes sustainably.

Small changes add up, so let’s all do what we can to protect our home for future generations—and look good while doing it!

This is a topic that is going to be so important in the future of our planet, and it’s great to see how much progress we’ve already made.

Thank you for reading!

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Sources

• Google Trends
• Statista
• Ethical Consumer
• McKinsey
• Forbes
• Business Research Company
• Entrepreneur
• Genomatica
• Fashion Revolution
• Textile Exchange