Environmental Impacts of Fast Fashion

FAST FASHION IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH GLOBAL EMISSIONS FROM THE APPAREL INDUSTRY PROJECTED TO INCREASE BY A STAGGERING 50% BY 2030.

Fashion is all about keeping up with ever-changing seasonal trends. What’s in style this season might be out next month, as trends shift rapidly and new looks come into play. It’s a fast-paced world where today’s hot item can quickly become yesterday’s news. Fast fashion focuses on creating and selling affordable, trendy clothing, but it comes with a significant price. The downsides of fast fashion are evident in various ways, including environmental damage and ethical concerns.

Imagine cleaning out a closet and finding clothes forgotten for years. Multiply that by about a billion. Every single second, a garbage truck full of textiles gets dumped in landfills or burned — 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually. By 2030, the world is looking at 134 million tons of fashion waste per year. That’s a lot of last season’s looks piling up.

Carbon Footprint Faux Pas

Fast fashion accounts for up to 10% of global carbon emissions, more than the entire international shipping and flight industry combined.

From growing cotton to dyeing fabrics and shipping products worldwide, every step leaves a carbon trail. Even washing clothes releases 500,000 tons of microfibres into the ocean each year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles. ¹

Extensive Water Consumption

Fashion’s demand for water is substantial. The industry is the second-largest global consumer of water, depleting resources at an alarming rate and contributing to increased contamination of water sources. When you see a sale sign, remember that the true cost may be higher than it appears. Being mindful of your choices is crucial for making a positive impact.

Know Your Fabrics – Natural vs Synthetic

It’s essential to get familiar with fabrics, as not all textiles have the same environmental impact; some are much more eco-friendly than others.

• Natural fibers like cotton, Tencel, flax, hemp, wool, and silk are renewable and will eventually decompose. They are carbon neutral, absorbing as much carbon dioxide as they produce.
• Semi-synthetic fibers, such as viscose (rayon), modal, and lyocell, will also decompose but release greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.
• Synthetic fibers, like polyester, spandex, acrylic, and nylon, do not biodegrade. They remain in landfills indefinitely, taking up valuable space.²

There is no way to properly deal with all the textiles.

Simar of Sol Recycling says, “Textiles have never been recognized as such a waste maker before now, major textile companies seem to go bankrupt because there is no regulation here and textiles are vast in their composition.”
“Solutions exist but only if we standardize what fabrics get used now. We need to standardize fabrics so we can come up with a standardized approach similar to what we’ve done with plastic. Right now the consumer should be educated to make better fabric shopping decisions and not go the route of fast fashion”.

Shopping Vintage

One way to counter the fast fashion industry is by shopping for vintage clothing. Vintage shops and thrift stores are treasure troves of unique, high-quality pieces that have stood the test of time. For those seeking convenience, online vintage shops like Thrifteezee provide thousands of options readily accessible at your fingertips. Vintage fashion promotes the reuse of clothing, reducing the demand for new garments and the waste generated by the fashion industry. By opting for vintage pieces, consumers contribute to a more sustainable fashion cycle and help keep clothing out of landfills.

Quality Over Quantity

While it’s tempting to stock up on cheap, trendy items, investing in higher-quality clothes that last longer is a win-win. Over time, you’ll save money and reduce your fashion footprint. Plus, well-made pieces that don’t fall apart will stand the test of time.

The Rise of Sustainable Fashion Brands

Brands making a positive impact include Outerknown, demonstrating that “eco-friendly” doesn’t have to mean dull. The focus on using recycled polyester and organic cotton. Another emerging brand CONVRT prides themselves on being 100% plastic free, no microplastics, no chemical dyes, no synthetic fabrics and fair wages for artisans.

The harsh reality of fast fashion is now clear, and it isn’t pretty. However, there are ways to make a difference. By being more mindful of your spending habits, you can drive change. Consider supporting environmentally friendly brands like Outerknown or Convrt. Remember, every purchase is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.