What is your wardrobe’s
Water Footprint?

Are you wondering what your wardrobe has got to do with growing water challenges in countries that have a strong textile industry?

✦ WATER FIRST ✦ FASHION SECOND

What is your wardrobe’s
Water Footprint?

What is your wardrobe’s
Water Footprint?

Are you wondering what your wardrobe has got to do with growing water challenges in countries that have a strong textile industry?

✦ WATER FIRST ✦ FASHION SECOND

What is your wardrobe’s
Water Footprint?

What is your wardrobe’s
Water Footprint?

Are you wondering what your wardrobe has got to do with growing water challenges in countries that have a strong textile industry?

✦ WATER FIRST ✦ FASHION SECOND

What is your wardrobe’s
Water Footprint?

What is your wardrobe’s
Water Footprint?

Are you wondering what your wardrobe has got to do with growing water challenges in countries that have a strong textile industry?

✦ WATER FIRST ✦ FASHION SECOND

What is your wardrobe’s
Water Footprint?

Exploring Fashion's Deep Impact on Global Water Resources

[ 01 ] The Natural Water Circle

Waters are in a constant, cyclic motion. Only 2.5% of our blue resources are actually fresh water.

Learn more

[ 02 ] Out of Balance

With freshwater increasingly becoming a global resource that is driven by international trade, more and more regions are challenged to manage their (remaining) water resources efficiently and in a sustainable way

Learn more

[ 03 ] VIRTUAL WATER

Water is not only necessary for our own drinking needs but moreover for the production of goods and services

Learn more

[ 04 ] The Water Footprint

The concept of the water footprint allows us to measure the use of water, hidden in our goods

Learn more

The Lifecycle of an Apparel Product

Before ending up in your closet, your garments travel a long way. Explore the journey of your clothes, and learn about their impact on water throughout their entire life cycle.

[ 01 ]

Product Development and Design

Learn more

[ 02 ]

Sourcing of Raw Materials

Learn more

[ 05 ]

Dyeing and Finishing

Learn more

[ 08 ]

Use Phase

Learn more

[ 07 ]

Distribution

Learn more

[ 03 ]

Processing of Raw Materials 

Learn more

[ 04 ]

Knitting and Weaving 

Learn more

[ 06 ]

Manufacturing

Learn more

[ 09 ]

END OF LIFE

Learn more

DISCLAIMER

SIDE NOTE

[ 10 ]

LOGISTICS

Learn more

How the fibers in our clothes affect water resources

While there is no perfectly sustainable fiber, and even though the water impact of a material can vary significantly depending on its sourcing, assessing the environmental impacts of each material is key to reducing a product’s overall impact. 

While there is no perfectly sustainable fiber, and even though the water impact of a material can vary significantly depending on its sourcing, assessing the environmental impacts of each material is key to reducing a product’s overall impact. 

While there is no perfectly sustainable fiber, and even though the water impact of a material can vary significantly depending on its sourcing, assessing the environmental impacts of each material is key to reducing a product’s overall impact. 

POLYESTER

Polyester is the most extensively used fiber globally, constituting approximately 54% of global fiber production in 2022.[1] Water consumption in polyester fiber production is relatively low (using steam and cooling water) but significantly impacts water quality. With polyester being an oil-based fiber, over 99% of its water footprint stems from water pollution linked to oil exploration.[2] Oil extraction brings up "produced water", which contains various pollutants. Treating or diluting this water with large freshwater quantities is necessary to ensure environmental safety, with common practices including injection back into the ground, treatment for reuse, or allowing evaporation.[3] Additionally, during a garment’s use phase, microplastic pollution from washing synthetic materials is a concern, with studies indicating that synthetic textiles are responsible for 8% to 35% of the overall microplastics discharged into water bodies.[4] [5]

COTTON
VISCOSE
WOOL
LEATHER

POLYESTER

Polyester is the most extensively used fiber globally, constituting approximately 54% of global fiber production in 2022.[1] Water consumption in polyester fiber production is relatively low (using steam and cooling water) but significantly impacts water quality. With polyester being an oil-based fiber, over 99% of its water footprint stems from water pollution linked to oil exploration.[2] Oil extraction brings up "produced water", which contains various pollutants. Treating or diluting this water with large freshwater quantities is necessary to ensure environmental safety, with common practices including injection back into the ground, treatment for reuse, or allowing evaporation.[3] Additionally, during a garment’s use phase, microplastic pollution from washing synthetic materials is a concern, with studies indicating that synthetic textiles are responsible for 8% to 35% of the overall microplastics discharged into water bodies.[4] [5]

COTTON

VISCOSE

WOOL

LEATHER

POLYESTER

Polyester is the most extensively used fiber globally, constituting approximately 54% of global fiber production in 2022.[1] Water consumption in polyester fiber production is relatively low (using steam and cooling water) but significantly impacts water quality. With polyester being an oil-based fiber, over 99% of its water footprint stems from water pollution linked to oil exploration.[2] Oil extraction brings up "produced water", which contains various pollutants. Treating or diluting this water with large freshwater quantities is necessary to ensure environmental safety, with common practices including injection back into the ground, treatment for reuse, or allowing evaporation.[3] Additionally, during a garment’s use phase, microplastic pollution from washing synthetic materials is a concern, with studies indicating that synthetic textiles are responsible for 8% to 35% of the overall microplastics discharged into water bodies.[4] [5]

COTTON
VISCOSE
WOOL
LEATHER
POLYESTER

Polyester is the most extensively used fiber globally, constituting approximately 54% of global fiber production in 2022.[1] Water consumption in polyester fiber production is relatively low (using steam and cooling water) but significantly impacts water quality. With polyester being an oil-based fiber, over 99% of its water footprint stems from water pollution linked to oil exploration.[2] Oil extraction brings up "produced water", which contains various pollutants. Treating or diluting this water with large freshwater quantities is necessary to ensure environmental safety, with common practices including injection back into the ground, treatment for reuse, or allowing evaporation.[3] Additionally, during a garment’s use phase, microplastic pollution from washing synthetic materials is a concern, with studies indicating that synthetic textiles are responsible for 8% to 35% of the overall microplastics discharged into water bodies.[4] [5]

COTTON
VISCOSE
WOOL
LEATHER

Exploring Fashion's Deep Impact on Global Water Resources

[ 01 ] The Natural Water Circle

Waters are in a constant, cyclic motion. Only 2.5% of our blue resources are actually fresh water.

Learn more

[ 02 ] Out of Balance

With freshwater increasingly becoming a global resource that is driven by international trade, more and more regions are challenged to manage their (remaining) water resources efficiently and in a sustainable way

Learn more

[ 03 ] VIRTUAL WATER

Water is not only necessary for our own drinking needs but moreover for the production of goods and services

Learn more

[ 04 ] The Water Footprint

The concept of the water footprint allows us to measure the use of water, hidden in our goods

Learn more

[ 01 ] The Natural Water Circle

Waters are in a constant, cyclic motion. Only 2.5% of our blue resources are actually fresh water.

Learn more

[ 02 ] Out of Balance

With freshwater increasingly becoming a global resource that is driven by international trade, more and more regions are challenged to manage their (remaining) water resources efficiently and in a sustainable way

Learn more

[ 03 ] VIRTUAL WATER

Water is not only necessary for our own drinking needs but moreover for the production of goods and services

Learn more

[ 04 ] The Water Footprint

The concept of the water footprint allows us to measure the use of water, hidden in our goods

Learn more

Exploring Fashion's Deep Impact on Global Water Resources

[ 01 ] The Natural Water Circle

Waters are in a constant, cyclic motion. Only 2.5% of our blue resources are actually fresh water.

Learn more

[ 02 ] Out of Balance

With freshwater increasingly becoming a global resource that is driven by international trade, more and more regions are challenged to manage their (remaining) water resources efficiently and in a sustainable way

Learn more

[ 03 ] VIRTUAL WATER

Water is not only necessary for our own drinking needs but moreover for the production of goods and services

Learn more

[ 04 ] The Water Footprint

The concept of the water footprint allows us to measure the use of water, hidden in our goods

Learn more

[ 01 ] The Natural Water Circle

Waters are in a constant, cyclic motion. Only 2.5% of our blue resources are actually fresh water.

Learn more

[ 02 ] Out of Balance

With freshwater increasingly becoming a global resource that is driven by international trade, more and more regions are challenged to manage their (remaining) water resources efficiently and in a sustainable way

Learn more

[ 03 ] VIRTUAL WATER

Water is not only necessary for our own drinking needs but moreover for the production of goods and services

Learn more

[ 04 ] The Water Footprint

The concept of the water footprint allows us to measure the use of water, hidden in our goods

Learn more

The Lifecycle of an Apparel Product

Before ending up in your closet, your garments travel a long way. Explore the journey of your clothes, and learn about their impact on water throughout their entire life cycle.

[ 01 ]

Product Development and Design

Learn more

[ 02 ]

Sourcing of Raw Materials

Learn more

[ 05 ]

Dyeing and Finishing

Learn more

[ 08 ]

Use Phase

Learn more

[ 07 ]

Distribution

Learn more

[ 03 ]

Processing of Raw Materials 

Learn more

[ 04 ]

Knitting and Weaving 

Learn more

[ 06 ]

Manufacturing

Learn more

[ 09 ]

END OF LIFE

Learn more

[ 01 ]

Product Development and Design

Learn more

[ 02 ]

Sourcing of Raw Materials

Learn more

[ 05 ]

Dyeing and Finishing

Learn more

[ 08 ]

Use Phase

Learn more

[ 07 ]

Distribution

Learn more

[ 03 ]

Processing of Raw Materials 

Learn more

[ 04 ]

Knitting and Weaving 

Learn more

[ 06 ]

Manufacturing

Learn more

[ 09 ]

END OF LIFE

Learn more

[ 10 ]

LOGISTICS

Learn more

DISCLAIMER

SIDE NOTE

[ 01 ] The Natural Water Circle

Waters are in a constant, cyclic motion. Only 2.5% of our blue resources are actually fresh water.

Learn more

[ 02 ] Out of Balance

With freshwater increasingly becoming a global resource that is driven by international trade, more and more regions are challenged to manage their (remaining) water resources efficiently and in a sustainable way

Learn more

[ 03 ] VIRTUAL WATER

Water is not only necessary for our own drinking needs but moreover for the production of goods and services

Learn more

[ 04 ] The Water Footprint

The concept of the water footprint allows us to measure the use of water, hidden in our goods

Learn more

[ 01 ] The Natural Water Circle

Waters are in a constant, cyclic motion. Only 2.5% of our blue resources are actually fresh water.

Learn more

[ 02 ] Out of Balance

With freshwater increasingly becoming a global resource that is driven by international trade, more and more regions are challenged to manage their (remaining) water resources efficiently and in a sustainable way

Learn more

[ 03 ] VIRTUAL WATER

Water is not only necessary for our own drinking needs but moreover for the production of goods and services

Learn more

[ 04 ] The Water Footprint

The concept of the water footprint allows us to measure the use of water, hidden in our goods

Learn more

The Lifecycle of an Apparel Product

Before ending up in your closet, your garments travel a long way. Explore the journey of your clothes, and learn about their impact on water throughout their entire life cycle.

[01]

Product Development and Design

Learn more

[02]

Sourcing of Raw Materials 

Learn more

[03]

Processing of Raw Materials

Learn more

[04]

Knitting and Weaving 

Learn more

[05]

Dyeing and Finishing

Learn more

[06]

Manufacturing

Learn more

[07]

Distribution

Learn more

[08]

Use Phase

Learn more

[09]

END OF LIFE

Learn more

[10]

LOgisTICS

Learn more

The Lifecycle of an Apparel Product

Before ending up in your closet, your garments travel a long way. Explore the journey of your clothes, and learn about their impact on water throughout their entire life cycle.

[01]

Product Development and Design

Learn more

[02]

Sourcing of Raw Materials 

Learn more

[03]

Processing of Raw Materials

Learn more

[04]

Knitting and Weaving 

Learn more

[05]

Dyeing and Finishing

Learn more

[06]

Manufacturing

Learn more

[07]

Distribution

Learn more

[08]

Use Phase

Learn more

[09]

END OF LIFE

Learn more

[10]

LOgisTICS

Learn more


What to Choose?

Considering the impact of the textile industry on water resources, you might wonder how to navigate the world of textiles and fashion, and what factors to consider when making clothing purchases.

Consumer decisions

Reflecting on our impact on the natural water cycle prompts the question: How can I reduce my water footprint and contribute to more sustainable water use?

Learn more

second hand

Opting for second-hand clothing holds remarkable advantages, not only for our style but also for water conservation efforts.

Learn more

Consumer decisions

Reflecting on our impact on the natural water cycle prompts the question: How can I reduce my water footprint and contribute to more sustainable water use?

Learn more

second hand

Opting for second-hand clothing holds remarkable advantages, not only for our style but also for water conservation efforts.

Learn more

What to Choose?

Considering the impact of the textile industry on water resources, you might wonder how to navigate the world of textiles and fashion, and what factors to consider when making clothing purchases.

Consumer decisions

Reflecting on our impact on the natural water cycle prompts the question: How can I reduce my water footprint and contribute to more sustainable water use?

Learn more

second hand

Opting for second-hand clothing holds remarkable advantages, not only for our style but also for water conservation efforts.

Learn more

What to Choose?

Considering the impact of the textile industry on water resources, you might wonder how to navigate the world of textiles and fashion, and what factors to consider when making clothing purchases.

Consumer decisions

Reflecting on our impact on the natural water cycle prompts the question: How can I reduce my water footprint and contribute to more sustainable water use?

Learn more

second hand

Opting for second-hand clothing holds remarkable advantages, not only for our style but also for water conservation efforts.

Learn more

What to Choose?

Considering the impact of the textile industry on water resources, you might wonder how to navigate the world of textiles and fashion, and what factors to consider when making clothing purchases.

What to Choose?

Considering the impact of the textile industry on water resources, you might wonder how to navigate the world of textiles and fashion, and what factors to consider when making clothing purchases.

Consumer decisions

Reflecting on our impact on the natural water cycle prompts the question: How can I reduce my water footprint and contribute to more sustainable water use?

Learn more

second hand

Opting for second-hand clothing holds remarkable advantages, not only for our style but also for water conservation efforts.

Learn more

This website has been developed by the NGO Drip by Drip and designed & implemented by Daniela Gomes, Ali Azimi & Daniel Ternes.

Funded by Engagement Global with funds from the BMZ.

For questions, feedback, inquiries please contact Drip by Drip via mail@dripbydrip.org

✦ WATER FIRST ✦ FASHION SECOND

This website has been developed by the NGO Drip by Drip and designed & implemented by Daniela Gomes, Ali Azimi & Daniel Ternes.

Funded by Engagement Global with funds from the BMZ.

For questions, feedback, inquiries please contact Drip by Drip via mail@dripbydrip.org

✦ WATER FIRST ✦ FASHION SECOND

This website has been developed by the NGO Drip by Drip and designed & implemented by Daniela Gomes, Ali Azimi & Daniel Ternes.

Funded by Engagement Global with funds from the BMZ.

For questions, feedback, inquiries please contact Drip by Drip via mail@dripbydrip.org

✦ WATER FIRST ✦ FASHION SECOND

This website has been developed by the NGO Drip by Drip and designed & implemented by Daniela Gomes, Ali Azimi & Daniel Ternes.

Funded by Engagement Global with funds from the BMZ.

For questions, feedback, inquiries please contact Drip by Drip via mail@dripbydrip.org

✦ WATER FIRST ✦ FASHION SECOND