As the world prepares to celebrate the 2025 International Day of Zero Waste on 30th March, which focuses on fashion and textiles, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has disclosed that more than 15,000 chemicals, some hazardous, are used in textile manufacturing, which has prompted calls for governments to regulate what goes into garments.

It said some chemicals, like those added to make clothes flame retardant and stain resistant are hazardous and can build up in the environment for decades, potentially harming humans, animals and the planet.

IT added that these chemical cocktails can also interact in complex ways and make it hard to safely recycle garments.

The Chief of the Resources and Markets Branch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Elisa Tonda, said the world must move beyond the waste era and turn rubbish into resources.

He said governments, businesses and individuals can minimise waste in the fashion sector and reduce its environmental toll.

“It’s important for governments to regulate and push for the safe management of hazardous chemicals used in textile production. Meanwhile, clothing brands can ensure their products are made with eco-friendly substances, embracing what experts call “green and sustainable chemistry.

“The good news is that it’s not too late to build a more circular, more sustainable fashion sector. But we need everyone pulling together if we’re going to make the systemic change necessary to transform the fashion industry into a force for environmental good,” Tonda said.

He said the fashion industry’s linear business model is behind most of the waste it generates.

“A staggering amount of clothes are made cheaply and quickly, without much consideration for their impact on the planet. These clothes are often worn for only a short time, then jettisoned into landfills or incinerated. This feeds climate change, depletes natural resources and floods land, sea and air with hazardous chemicals,” he said.

Tonda said the industry needs to reduce production volumes of new items and become more circular by keeping clothes and raw materials in use for as long as possible. “To do that, clothing manufacturers can design garments that are more durable, use more sustainable fabrics and make clothes easier to recycle.

“As the industry and consumers adopt circular business models and shift away from fast fashion to more durable products and sustainable consumption, it will be important to support producing countries, so they are not left behind in the transition,” Tonda added.

For the sector to be more sustainable, he called for improved fabric recycling, removal of  hazardous chemicals from clothes, change in the narrative that newer is always better and shop less, shop better.

“Consumers have a tremendous amount of power and by choosing more circular options, they can send a signal to those with the influence and means to make the fashion industry more sustainable,” he said.