The Rise of Clothing Rental Services and Their Environmental Benefits

In the era of fast fashion, where outfits are often worn once and then forgotten, clothing rental services are emerging as a smart, sustainable alternative. From high-end dresses to everyday wear, more people—especially younger generations—are embracing the idea of renting instead of buying. But is this shift more than just a trend?

Let’s take a closer look at how clothing rental services are changing the fashion landscape and helping the environment.

Why Rent Instead of Buy?

Buying new clothes constantly puts a heavy strain on our planet. Each garment uses precious resources like water and energy, and most end up in landfills after just a few wears. Renting clothes changes that cycle. It allows garments to be worn many times by different people, which means fewer items are produced, and less waste is created.

For example, producing a single cotton shirt takes about 2,700 liters of water—enough for one person to drink for 2.5 years. Now imagine that shirt being worn just a few times before being tossed. Multiply that by the billions of garments made each year, and the scale of the problem becomes clear.

Key Trends in Clothing Rental Services

Clothing rental isn't just an eco-friendly idea—it’s a growing industry with a lot of momentum.

1. Global Market Growth

• The global online clothing rental market is projected to grow from $1.44 billion in 2024 to $2.78 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 8.5%.

• In the U.S., the clothing and apparel rental industry is valued at $1.5 billion in 2025, showing steady growth even through market shifts.

  
  

2. Younger Generations Are Leading the Way

• Gen Z and Millennials are driving demand, with many choosing renting for reasons like sustainability, affordability, and access to variety.

• Platforms like Rent the Runway, Nuuly, and even peer-to-peer apps are gaining popularity.

  
  

3. Creative Income Opportunities

• Some users are renting out their wardrobes and earning as much as $36,000 per year, proving that fashion rental can also support circular business models.

  
  

4. Major Environmental Gains

• Renting helps cut down on the number of garments made and thrown away.

• It also reduces carbon emissions and water use—two major concerns in clothing production.

  
  

Renting vs. Buying: Environmental Impact

Here’s a simple comparison of the environmental costs of renting one dress ten times vs. buying ten separate dresses:

Factor	Renting 1 Dress (10 Rentals)	Buying 10 Dresses
Water Used	~400 liters	~27,000 liters
CO₂ Emissions	~4 kg	~330 kg
Landfill Contribution	Minimal	High (most discarded early)
Manufacturing Waste	One dress produced	Ten dresses produced

Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Circular Fashion Reports

What’s the Catch?

Renting isn’t perfect. There are still environmental costs tied to packaging and shipping, and not all rental companies are transparent about their laundry practices or carbon footprint. Plus, the convenience of rentals can tempt people to treat them just like fast fashion, using more than they really need.

But overall, when done responsibly, renting can be a powerful tool in reducing fashion’s environmental impact.

Final Thoughts

Clothing rental services are more than just a passing phase—they’re part of a growing shift toward a more sustainable fashion industry. By giving clothes longer lives and reducing demand for new production, rentals offer a practical way to fight textile waste.

If we choose to wear what already exists instead of always buying new, we might just help fashion find a future that’s better for everyone—and the planet.