In the past several decades, the fast fashion industry has taken off. Now more than ever, people are able to follow trend cycles through social media, and we have the luxury of being able to purchase an item with the click of a button. While buying a piece of clothing for an Instagram photo can be fun, this mass consumerism comes with a cost, a cost that is destroying our planet. The fast fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, as it thrives on mass production, overconsumption, and wasteful practices.
The fashion industry is directly responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions and is the second biggest water-consuming industry in the world. In fact, it is estimated that over 20,000 liters are needed in order to successfully produce 1kg of cotton. Additionally, the fashion industry is a highly polluting industry, as a majority of textiles are made from synthetic materials that are nearly impossible to break down when put into a landfill. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of discarded clothing items are recycled, with the rest sitting in landfills for hundreds of years.
Large amounts of energy are needed for textile production as well. Massive amounts of petroleum are used in the industry every year, and other synthetic chemicals needed to manufacture cotton cause direct harm to the environment. For example, wastewater generated by the fast fashion industry often contains dangerous levels or toxins such as lead, mercury and arsenic. These harmful chemicals cause harm to marine environments and are dangerous for human consumption.
Some of our favorite clothing retailers such as Forever 21, ZARA and Shein pride themselves on producing the latest, trendiest styles at a cheap price point. For the consumer, this may be beneficial, as it makes access to trends accessible. However, this mass production has numerous social issues as well.
In order to keep up with everchanging trend cycles, many workers are subject to long hours, making insufficient wages. Many companies fail to provide their employees with a living wage, with many making too low of a wage to provide for their families. Because a majority of clothing manufacturing occurs in developing nations, many injustices take place in the workforce. This is because many of these developing nations do not have strict workforce regulations pertaining to working conditions, increasing the likelihood for human rights violations to take place. In addition, many developing nations do not have established child labor laws, therefore, children are often subject to long hours in hazardous environments.
Clearly, there are numerous issues that have come from the fast fashion industry. Environmental degradation, excessive use of resources, and human rights violations are only a few examples that highlight the problematic nature of the fashion industry. Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can avoid falling into the trap of overconsumption that the fast fashion industry encourages. Here are some tips that can aid you in being a mindful consumer, whilst still being fashionable:
- Avoid buying items that will go out of style quickly. These items will likely only be worn a handful of times and then they will be discarded. Purchase timeless pieces that you can wear over and over!
- Buy pieces from sustainable fashion brands. Some of my favorite brands are Girlfriend Collective and Reformation! Although these brands can definitely be pricey, they make pieces that are ethically sourced and of great quality.
- Try thrifting! This is a great way to purchase unique pieces and give them a new life.
- Upcycle any old clothes that you may have. Cut that old pair of jeans into cute shorts, or tie dye that old t-shirt. The possibilities are endless!