Circular economy is a significant part of improving the Earth's carrying capacity
Finland has consumed the natural resources that should last for the entire year already by approximately April. This means that we are causing emissions and consuming natural resources at a rate that would require up to four Earths in a year. If the overconsumption of natural resources and emissions is not brought under control, future generations will face difficult living conditions. If lifestyles do not change, it is even anticipated that at some point the Earth may no longer be habitable.
According to a publication by the Ministry of the Environment, about 71 million kilos of textiles and clothing were acquired in Finland in 2012. An estimated 71 million kilos of textiles were also discarded in 2012, which matches the amount acquired. Of these, about one fifth were donated to charity, and the rest were handled by waste management. Imported clothes and textiles make up the majority of acquired products. Only 9% of the clothes on the domestic market are made in Finland. Thus, the direct greenhouse gas emissions of the clothing and textile industry are low in Finland. Based on this, the opportunities within Finland to reduce emissions related to textiles are strongly tied to the circular economy. According to a rough estimate, about 60 million kilos of textiles and footwear end up being incinerated annually with household mixed waste.
Emissions can be reduced and natural resources saved through various circular economy measures. Extending the lifespan of an existing product is the most effective of these methods. Doubling the lifespan of a garment or accessory reduces its carbon footprint by 49%. The most high-quality clothes can have a lifespan many times longer than this. When you sell, buy, or donate to charity an item that has already been manufactured, the environmental impact is the most effective among the circular economy’s alternative measures to improve the Earth's carrying capacity. Other, less effective measures include clothing rental, remanufacturing from textile waste, and utilizing fibers from textile waste and new fiber materials.
To maximize the lifespan of clothes and accessories, products should be used in their original form for as long as possible. This requires that fashion and clothing industry products are made to last from the very beginning. Emmy’s selection is limited by brands and product categories so that the selection includes as many high-quality and durable products as possible. Here you can see how much Emmy, together with customers, has saved natural resources and donated to charity in real time!
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Sources:
WWF: Overconsumption.
Publication by the Ministry of the Environment: Circular economy as a promoter of low carbon and a safeguard for biodiversity.
Image: Unsplash.