Carbon Footprint of a T-Shirt

This page provides an in-depth analysis of the carbon footprint of T-Shirts, offering valuable insights and data-driven recommendations for sustainability professionals in the apparel industry. By understanding the emissions hotspots and key drivers, brands can identify opportunities for reducing their environmental impact.

10.6 kg CO2e The Carbon Footprint of a T-Shirt T-Shirt Carbon Footprint
What's the Carbon Footprint of A T-Shirt?

What's the Carbon Footprint of A T-Shirt?

The average greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for a T-Shirt are 11.54 kg CO₂e. The emissions range from 6.91 to 18.25 kg CO₂e, indicating variation across different T-Shirt products. With an average mass of 267.02 g and consisting of 3 components, T-Shirts contribute significantly to the apparel industry's environmental impact.
  • Minimum footprint: 6.91 kg CO2e
  • Median footprint: 10.6 kg CO2e
  • Maximum footprint: 18.25 kg CO2e

Carbon Emissions by Process Step in T-Shirt Production

Each T-Shirt's footprint includes emissions from multiple manufacturing stages. The following process steps were identified as carbon hotspots for T-Shirt:
  • Finishing 0.74 kg CO₂e
  • Yarn Formation 0.73 kg CO₂e
  • Coloration 0.52 kg CO₂e
Carbon Emissions by Process Step in T-Shirt Production

Key Insights from the Environmental Data on T-Shirt

Emissions Variation Range

The GHG emissions range of 6.91 to 18.25 kg CO₂e for T-Shirts indicates a notable variation across different products, likely influenced by factors such as materials, manufacturing processes, and supply chain practices.

Finishing as a Hotspot

The finishing process step emerges as the most emissions-intensive stage, contributing 0.74 kg CO₂e per T-Shirt on average. Optimizing this stage could yield significant environmental improvements.

Yarn Formation Emissions

Yarn formation is another major contributor, with emissions of 0.73 kg CO₂e per T-Shirt. Exploring more sustainable yarn production methods could reduce the overall footprint.

Coloration Impact

The coloration process step accounts for 0.52 kg CO₂e emissions per T-Shirt, highlighting the need for eco-friendly dyeing and printing techniques in the apparel industry.

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References

Data sourced from Carbonfact’s proprietary database, powered by over 50 million LCAs run on textile, fashion, and footwear products. The methodology is aligned with the EU Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and adapted for product category specificity.

Find more information about our LCA methodology here.
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