The Life Cycle of a T-Shirt: From Cotton Field to Charity Shop

 


The Life Cycle of a T-Shirt: From Cotton Field to Charity Shop

— And why that “£4 bargain” might cost more than you think

A T-shirt. Soft. Comfy. Probably cheap.
But what’s the real story behind it?

That innocent piece of cotton in your wardrobe may have travelled thousands of miles, consumed gallons of water, and been sewn in conditions you wouldn’t wish on anyone — all before you wore it twice and chucked it in the back of the drawer.

Let’s follow the journey of the humble T-shirt.

Step 1: Cotton Farming

Most T-shirts start life in cotton fields — in countries like India, China, or the US.

  • It takes around 2,700 litres of water to produce just one cotton T-shirt — that’s one person’s drinking water for 2.5 years.

  • Pesticides and fertilisers used in non-organic cotton farming can harm local ecosystems and workers' health.

Step 2: Spinning, Dyeing & Knitting

Once harvested, cotton is:

  • Spun into yarn

  • Knitted into fabric

  • Dyed (often with chemical-heavy treatments)

These processes often take place in industrial plants with poor environmental controls and high energy use. The dyes can end up in rivers, turning them rainbow-coloured... and toxic.

Step 3: Manufacturing

Garment workers — often underpaid and working in unsafe conditions — cut and stitch fabric into clothing. The fashion industry employs millions in low-income countries. Fast fashion thrives on speed and volume — not fair wages or sustainable practices.

Step 4: Global Shipping & Retail

Your T-shirt then journeys across the world — from factory to warehouse to high street.

It may pass through several countries before it lands in your local shop — racking up CO₂ emissions at every stage.

Step 5: You — the Wearer

And now it’s yours. But how long will you keep it?

  • The average fast fashion item is worn only 7 times.

  • Many clothes are thrown away while still wearable.

Washing your T-shirt also sheds microfibres, which can end up in oceans.

Step 6: End of Life

Best-case scenario:
✅ Donated to a charity shop or reused as rags

Worst-case scenario:
🚫 Sent to landfill or “recycled” in a way that ends up being dumped overseas.

What Can You Do?

  • Buy less, choose better – opt for organic or fair trade if you can

  • Wear what you already own more often

  • Repair small holes rather than replace

  • Buy second-hand or host clothing swaps

  • Recycle textiles properly when they reach the end

Final Thought

Your £4 T-shirt isn’t just a garment — it’s a global story stitched together by people, places, and resources.

Make that story count. Wear it proudly. Wear it often.

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