UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the fast fashion industry is accelerating an environmental catastrophe, noting that every second, a truckload of clothing is either burned or dumped in landfills around the world.

Speaking at an event commemorating International Zero Waste Day, Guterres called for urgent global action to curb the severe environmental impact of the textile industry.
 "If fashion becomes a killer, the planet is the victim," he emphasized.The fashion industry is one of the most polluting sectors globally, accounting for 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo / Sourced from Pexels)

The fashion industry is one of the world&rsquos most polluting sectors, accounting for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, it consumes 215 trillion liters of water annually&mdashthe equivalent of 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools&mdashand relies on thousands of chemicals, many of which are harmful to human health and ecosystems.

Despite these alarming environmental impacts, the pace of clothing production and disposal continues to accelerate, driven by a business model centered on rapid manufacturing and disposable consumption.