How much water does it take to make a cowboy?
Jeans , originating as work clothes for miners in the American West, have evolved to become a global fashion icon , due to their versatility and the number of styles that exist.
However, behind its popularity lies a high environmental cost that has made the textile sector one of the most polluting in the world (10% of carbon emissions). Within this impact, in addition, the enormous consumption of the most valuable resource on the planet is especially important. And it's not oil or gold: it's water.
Water and the making of jeans
According to a study carried out by the Polytechnic University of Madrid, the production of a single pair of jeans requires between 2,130 and 3,078 liters of water , an amount that varies depending on the manufacturing method and, above all, the cotton growing conditions. raw material par excellence of the sector.
To extrapolate, making a pair of jeans uses the same amount of water as a person drinks in 4 years , a fact that highlights the urgency of reviewing our clothing production practices, on the part of manufacturers, and use practices, on the part of buyers. .
Traditional cotton, main source of water consumption
As we have said, cotton is the raw material for the manufacture of jeans , and its cultivation is extremely water-intensive (in total, 34 million hectares are dedicated to cotton). Thus, it is estimated that more than 3% of the fresh water available in the world is used to grow cotton for the production of denim clothing.
In addition to water consumption, this intensive cultivation also involves the use of large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers , which can contaminate water sources and affect local ecosystems.
Fast-fashion and its ecological and social impact
Fast fashion from big brands continues to increase the problem of water consumption in the world. And this type of clothing is very affordable but has a short life cycle , which increases the need to buy it again.
That is with regard to the environment, since, on the other hand, what is behind a low price is usually labor exploitation in third world countries , where, by the way, not even the entire population has access to drinking water in your day to day.
How to reduce the water consumption of a denim garment?
There are alternatives aimed at reducing the amount of water and raw materials necessary to manufacture a denim garment, such as:
- Ecodesign and recycling : Innovations in ecodesign seek to reduce the consumption of water and other resources through the use of recycled materials and more efficient production processes.
- Sustainable initiatives : Practices such as upcycling aim to convert waste into new, higher quality materials, which not only reduces the consumption of raw materials, but also the energy needed to process them.
- Growing organic cotton : Promoting sustainable farming practices, such as drip irrigation and the use of drought-resistant cotton varieties, can significantly reduce the water needed for denim garments. Additionally, supporting organic farming decreases the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers.
Slow-fashion: the alternative the planet needs
In a world where fast fashion dominates and garments are designed to last a season, at Bustins Jeans we stand out with a different proposal: slow-fashion .
It is more than a necessary trend, it is a philosophy that advocates responsible production and conscious consumption of clothing . By choosing this approach to the textile sector, we minimize environmental impact and ensure fair working conditions.
1. Zero kilometer materials and local production
At Bustins Jeans we use organic cotton , a more responsible crop with a lower impact on the environment. With it, we create our denim garments by hand on the Costa Brava , thus supporting the economy of the area and reducing the carbon footprint of transporting materials over long distances. This means that by choosing Bustins Jeans, you are choosing products that respect the planet and help local economic development.
2. Timeless and limited design
Fast fashion can be tempting with its low cost and seasonal designs, but these garments often end up in the trash after just a few wears. On the other hand, we are committed to timelessness and durability , with women's jeans and men's jeans that are always fashionable and of quality that stand the test of time .
3. Responsible use of water
At Bustins we care about the water necessary for this sector; For this reason, in our catalog we have some “raw” pieces created without the final washing that the rest of the jeans undergo. Likewise, thanks to the quality of our clothing, we further reduce water consumption, since a Bustins garment will accompany you for years .
All this without ceasing to innovate in production processes that increasingly require less water , thus aligning ourselves with the sustainable development objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda .
According to this same organization, global demand for water could increase up to 50% between now and 2040 , which will bring severe droughts and desertification.
But today you can begin to be part of the solution : switch to the change in fashion that the planet so urgently needs.