Jeans travel vast distances

A single pair of jeans can travel up to 65,000 kilometers from cotton fields to retail stores, according to the ADEME, as reported by multiple sources. This distance is equivalent to one and a half times the circumference of the Earth.

Water use in jeans production

The production of a single pair of jeans requires up to 9,000 liters of water, which is equivalent to 285 showers, according to one report. Another study published in 2024 estimates the total water footprint between 3,500 and 7,000 liters when considering the lifespan of the garment.

Textile industry's environmental impact

The textile industry is responsible for approximately 20% of global freshwater pollution, primarily due to dyeing processes, according to the European Environment Agency. This pollution affects rivers and ecosystems worldwide, contributing to environmental degradation.

France’s anti-fast-fashion law

In France, a new anti-fast-fashion law, adopted in June 2026, imposes a penalty on clothing sold by online platforms such as Shein, Temu, or AliExpress. This penalty ranges from 0.25 euros for a pair of socks to up to 12 euros for a coat, with the penalty for a pair of jeans reaching 9 euros in 2026 and potentially increasing to 20 euros by 2030, according to the French Ministry of Ecological Transition.

International reaction and enforcement

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has criticized the French law as discriminatory, suggesting it may violate World Trade Organization rules. Meanwhile, Refashion, the French eco-organization responsible for collecting textiles, was fined 170,000 euros in April 2026 for failing to meet its obligations.

Continued high consumption in France

Despite these regulations, France sees the sale of 3.5 billion clothing items, household textiles, and shoes annually, according to Refashion's own figures. This highlights the ongoing challenge of reducing consumer demand and promoting sustainable practices.