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The Big Impact Fast Fashion Has on the Environment
First, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I love fashion. We all want to keep up with trends, but fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world. The main critique of fast fashion stems from pollution and sweatshops. Pollution contributes to climate change, and sweatshops do not treat employees fairly with the working conditions.
Why do these issues arise? What role does fashion play in damaging the planet? Our commitments to eco-friendliness are hindered by fast fashion and constant changes in trends. We, as consumers, are always looking for ways to cut costs while remaining loyal to our desires. Updating one’s wardrobe frequently usually culminates in no longer used clothes. Moreover, a clothing’s life cycle ends when consumers make a purchase that is either mature, out of style or no longer wearable. Consequently, people tend to throw away perfect clothing, which contributes to the global waste concern.
Sustainability & Fast Fashion
Today, mass-market clothing brands push their newest collections out monthly to keep up with consumerism. Customers usually purchase on a whim and consequently thrive off affordable clothing. These high-street brands maintain low prices by exploiting the cheap workforce in third-world countries like China, India, and Indonesia.
Fast fashion relies on materials such as cotton and polyester to create comfortable clothes which can be resold repeatedly. Such issues have huge impacts on the environment. Synthetic fibres like polyester can decompose for up to 200 years, adding to the landfill problem. Alternatively, cotton uses more water than any fibre in the industry, causing global water shortages in some countries. Farms also use a lot of fertilisers and pesticides to help produce natural fibres, which damage soil and land. These chemicals can wash into their little water, making drinking or bathing unsafe. Finally, the pesticides, chemicals, and fabric dyes get washed into rivers from textile factories which can poison local residents.
What Can We Do To Reduce Fast Fashion Waste?
So what can we do to reduce the problem? We all enjoy fashion. From using stylish trends to express ourselves, it has its cultural uses. It would be silly to say stop buying new items. However, we can still make small changes to avoid harming the environment whilst staying on-trend.
1. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
Instead of throwing away clothing, you should donate, sell, or swap an item with a friend to extend its lifecycle. Recycling existing clothing in good condition helps a piece of apparel live on and reduces unwanted waste. Platforms such as Depop, eBay and Vinted specialise in these services. For designer items, Vestaire is a great way to sell preloved luxury goods.
Alternatively, you can carry your formerly loved goods to your local charity shop. You never know what steals you can get or give to someone.
2. UPCYCLE
On the other hand, if the clothing is preloved and getting a bit worse for wear, try upcycling. Upcycling is a growing trend where you can turn old garments into fresh new items. Take, for example, the Versace jungle dress from 2000 and 2020, respectively. The same fabric is being used, and modern technology has changed the dress into something powerful for its time. Comparatively, an oversized jumper dress is a go-to for many fashionistas.
If you get fatigued from old jumper dresses, turn it into a coordinate of a crop top and bottoms? The world is your oyster when it comes to upcycling.
3. ETHICS
Another way to help increase sustainability is by making conscious votes with your money. Specifically, purchasing from sustainable brands that adhere to strong ethical and environmental principles. Increased demand for sustainable clothing leads to an increased supply of sustainable clothing.
Many brands are shifting towards providing ethically sourced clothing. A few of the largest retailers are ASOS, H&M and Zara. You can also flip the label of the tag when you go shopping. If the garment is ethically sourced, there will be an indication of this.
4. NEEDS OVER WANTS
Lastly, buy clothing you need and do not want. A capsule wardrobe filled with staple pieces gives you endless outfit combinations. You can wear these pieces repeatedly and matched with new and mature wardrobe garments. In the short run, you will only spend a fortune due to your investments in good quality basics. These investments will stand the test of time compared to that one shirt that you regularly repurchase from Primark.
While sustainable clothing can be more costly in the short term, it will pay for itself over time with durability.
There is no doubt that we are all guilty of buying fast fashion. High-street brands are adept at keeping up with the latest trends that mass markets love to follow. Nevertheless, these small changes can contribute significantly to the quality of life on Earth and increase global sustainability.
