The fashion industry has been experiencing a rapid transformation over the last few decades. ‘Fast Fashion’ – that is the production of clothing in mass quantities and at low cost, has now become a necessary and prevalent term in the industry. However, what many people do not know is that this fast fashion is harming the environment in ways that cannot be ignored.
Firstly, fast fashion contributes to the depletion of natural resources. The mass production of low-quality fabrics, dyes, and synthetic fibers emit greenhouse gases in the form of carbon dioxide and methane during the manufacturing process. These gases contribute to climate change and environmental pollution. The overuse of water in textile production is also an issue – for instance making a single cotton shirt takes around 2,700 liters of water.
Secondly, fast fashion requires a large amount of energy in order to produce, transport, and store clothes. Fuel consumption contributes to global warming and air pollution – transportation alone is responsible for 10% of the greenhouse gas emissions of the fashion industry. Moreover, the use of energy further depletes natural resources as structural virgin vegetation is used to create the energy required for the manufacturing process.
Thirdly, fast fashion contributes to the unethical treatment of workers. The production of fast fashion is often outsourced to countries that have lower labor standards than in developed nations. This implies that workers are paid low wages, work under poor conditions, and even possibly face harassment and exploitation.
Fourthly, fast fashion has a significant impact on waste thus exacerbating environmental pollution. People are encouraged to opt for cheaper and frequent purchases, which lead to the disposal of a considerable amount of clothing. Reports suggest that about 70 pounds of textiles are thrown away by an individual in the US each year which wind up in landfills, causing environmental pollution.
Finally, the popularity of fast fashion also affects wildlife. As the chemicals used in the manufacturing process, including dyes and microplastics, are released into the environment, they damage the ecosystems, especially aquatic ones. These chemicals can affect the animals and plants living in these ecosystems, which can ultimately affect the entire food chain in the area.
In conclusion, the fast fashion trend is causing significant harm to the environment. The overproduction of clothes, energy consumption, waste generation, and unethical treatment of workers are all negative consequences of fast fashion. For this reason, it is important to make conscious decisions when it comes to shopping for clothes, such as investing in sustainable or second-hand options, choosing quality over quantity, and recycling and repairing clothes. By doing this, we can reduce the impact of fast fashion on the environment and promote a more sustainable fashion industry.
