The carbon footprint saved by switching to made-to-order T-shirts can be significant, particularly when compared to traditional mass-production models. Let’s break this down step-by-step, showing how much is saved and why it matters, using data relevant to the Indian consumer.
1. Carbon Footprint of a Traditional T-Shirt
The production of a single cotton T-shirt in a mass-production system emits approximately 5–10 kg of CO₂ on average, depending on factors like energy sources, transportation, and waste. Here’s where these emissions come from:
• Cotton farming and processing: ~2.1 kg CO₂
• Fabric production and dyeing: ~3.2 kg CO₂
• Manufacturing and packaging: ~2.1 kg CO₂
• Transportation and storage: ~2.6 kg CO₂
• Overproduction waste (unsold items): ~1–2 kg CO₂
Total: ~10 kg CO₂ per T-shirt in mass production.
2. Carbon Footprint of a Made-to-Order T-Shirt
Made-to-order production eliminates several wasteful practices:
• No overproduction waste: Reduces 1–2 kg CO₂ per T-shirt.
• Optimized supply chains: Locally sourced materials and smaller batch production reduce transportation emissions by ~1 kg CO₂ per T-shirt.
• Energy-efficient production: Tailored production saves up to ~1.5 kg CO₂ by avoiding idle machinery and large-scale dyeing.
Total for made-to-order: ~6–7 kg CO₂ per T-shirt.
3. Savings in Carbon Footprint
By switching to made-to-order:
• Carbon savings per T-shirt: 10 kg CO₂ (traditional) - 7 kg CO₂ (made-to-order) = 3 kg CO₂ saved per T-shirt.
4. Average T-Shirt Consumption of an Indian Consumer
• A typical Indian consumer purchases 5–10 T-shirts per year.
• If they switch to made-to-order for all purchases:
• Carbon savings = 3 kg CO₂ x 5 T-shirts = 15 kg CO₂ per year (low consumption)
• Carbon savings = 3 kg CO₂ x 10 T-shirts = 30 kg CO₂ per year (high consumption)
5. Why These Savings Matter
Impact at the Individual Level
• 15–30 kg CO₂ per year is equivalent to:
• Avoiding driving a petrol car for 50–100 km.
• Offsetting emissions from 1–2 months of using a refrigerator.
• Saving enough energy to power a standard Indian household for 1–2 weeks.
Impact at Scale
• If 1 lakh Indian consumers switch to made-to-order T-shirts:
• Carbon savings = 1,00,000 x 3 kg CO₂ = 3,00,000 kg CO₂ annually (300 metric tons).
• This is equal to planting 12,000 trees that absorb CO₂ over 10 years.
Long-Term Benefits
• By promoting mindful consumption, made-to-order encourages consumers to buy less but better, amplifying sustainability over time.
• This reduces not just CO₂ emissions but also:
• Water waste (traditional T-shirts use ~2,700 liters per piece).
• Textile waste in landfills.
Conclusion
Switching to made-to-order T-shirts can cut carbon emissions by up to 30% per T-shirt, contributing significantly to a greener future. For an average Indian consumer, this is a simple yet impactful step toward sustainability, especially when multiplied across millions of buyers.