A pair of jeans: carbon footprint

A pair of jeans comes in at about 16.5 kg CO₂e (one pair, made).

Of the 13 things to wear Carbonle tracks, A pair of jeans sits at #7 from the lightest — mid-pack.

This is what it costs to make the garment, before you wear it once. Cotton is thirsty, leather carries the cattle behind it, and a single new outfit can outweigh a week of driving — the case for wearing things longer.

Denim is cotton plus heavy dyeing: about 16 kg a pair to make. The washing comes later.

Play today's Carbonle →

Compare with

Figures from Levi's 501 LCA (manufacturing stage), licensed industry LCA.
How we get these numbers: Methodology.