Industry News


Research from Epson reveals UK wardrobes soak up 35 trillion litres of water


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ew pan-European research by Epson has revealed that 35 trillion litres of water – the equivalent to draining the River Thames 15 times over – is needed to produce the combined number of clothes in UK wardrobes. The first-of-its-kind study found that over 634,510 litres of water is required – across production, finishing and dyeing – to create the garments owned by the average British consumer. According to the findings, Portuguese wardrobes have the highest water footprint per person (817,131 litres) followed by Italy (723,744 litres) and Poland (715,266 litres). The UK ranked seventh but were the least likely to have heard of the term ‘water footprint’. Two-thirds (62%) of Brits have never thought about how their clothes get their colour.


Among the worst wardrobe offenders were jeans using up to 18,000 litres of


Epson has collaborated with PATTERNITY to create Water Silks


water, and sweaters using 14,000 litres. The dyeing process for a jacket typically requires over 3,300 litres – almost half of the water needed to produce the garment.


Better Cotton completes certification transition


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etter Cotton has completed its transition to become a certification scheme.


This strategic move underscores the organisation’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of sustainability and transparency in the cotton industry. By outsourcing all farm-level certification decisions to independent third parties, Better Cotton provides additional rigour to its already robust model, further boosting impartiality and independence. For more than a decade, Better Cotton has led one of the sector’s most robust and credible voluntary standard systems. The transition to a certification scheme and standardising third-party verification will not only strengthen our current approach, but also enable us to continue driving meaningful industry-wide change. Alongside third-party audits Better Cotton will continue second-party


| 14 | March 2025


monitoring of its global network of farmer-focused organisations. This dual approach will help identify areas of non- conformity, ensure ongoing visibility of its operating environment and inform capacity-strengthening efforts to drive continuous improvement. In addition, all supplier and manufacturer members wishing to source Physical Better Cotton will be in scope for certification against the Better Cotton Chain of Custody Standard. This will improve supply chain traceability and boost demand for sustainably produced cotton while aligning with evolving regulatory expectations.


Later this year, retailers and brands that wish to use Physical Better Cotton will also be eligible to use a new product label that speaks to their commitment to Better Cotton’s mission.


To show how innovation can tackle fashion’s ‘water footprint’ problem, Epson has collaborated with leading sustainability designer and authority on pattern, PATTERNITY, to create ‘Water Silks’, a collection of EcoVero silk scarves inspired by the rivers and canals of Europe’s style capitals. Printing with digital printers that use pigment inks, such as Epson’s innovative Monna Lisa, can reduce water consumption in the colour printing stage of clothing production by up to 97%. While fabric production uses the most water, significant amounts are also used during dyeing. Water Silks re-imagines the Thames [London], Seine [Paris], Navigli [Milan] and Spree [Berlin] to serve as a reminder of the intimate relationship between the environment and the clothes worn.


• For the full story visit www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk


Print HERstory Month returns for a seventh year


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ext month sees the return of Print HERstory for the seventh year, with this year’s movement focused on amplifying women’s voices. Hosted by Girls Who Print, Print HERstory Month is about celebrating the women who drive, innovate, and transform the printing industry, sharing stories, lifting each other, and inspiring the next generation to see print as a place where they can thrive.


Women in print are invited to answer a Q&A, with the responses to be shared throughout the month to spotlight the talent, experiences, and advice from women in print and graphic arts. Deborah Corn, executive director, said: “Women in print play a vital role in our industry but too often their accomplishments aren’t amplified.”


www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk


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