You may have heard the term "Fast Fashion" before. It generally refers to the inexpensive clothing you can find in stores such as Walmart, H&M, Zara, Gap, etc., as well as online shops like Shein, Fashion Nova, and Zaful. Fast fashion is characterized by cheaply made fabrics, inexpensive prices, and most importantly: styles that cycle faster than the calendar seasons. For example, a fast fashion brand may release 2 or more cycles of styles within each season (spring, summer, fall, and winter). This induces a need in consumers to buy more frequently to stay up to date on the "current" styles and because the clothing is priced so inexpensively, many consumers oblige. The styles released are designed to be copies of those released on high-end runways to maximize their ability to capitalize on fashion trends within the general public.
Unfortunately, nothing is free (or inexpensive in this case). The price of fast fashion is growing by the year, both in environmental and human impact. Clothing cannot be made entirely by machines, leading to the overexploitation of garment workers in countries like China and Bangladesh. And it is estimated that the apparel and footwear industry is responsible for 4 to 8.6% of the world's global greenhouse gas emissions. That is more than France, Germany, and the UK combined. Further stats show the waste and danger within the fashion industry:
- 50 billion garments are discarded within a year of being made.
- In 1995, the textiles industry produced 7.6 kilograms of fiber per person worldwide. In 2018, production had doubled to 13.8 kilograms per person.
- Polymer-based (plastic) fiber production for textile creation increased from 25 million tonnes a year in 2000 to 65 million tonnes in 2018.
- Plastic fibers are released when washing polyester and other polymer-based clothing and contribute to 20-35% of the microplastics in the ocean.
- The apparel industry is a leading industry of exploited and child labor, according to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs.
BUT IT IS NOT ALL BAD NEWS! Strides are being made each day to change the path of the fashion industry. The state of New York has introduced the Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act, or the "Fashion Act". It aims to "hold companies accountable and level the playing field for those already trying to do the right thing". Additionally this past week, tens of thousands of garment workers in Bangladesh went on strike to demand wage increases. These workers who make clothing for brands such as H&M, Zara, and Gap, make as little as $75 a month. Their strike is calling for an increase in wages to $208 a month.
There are ways you can help the industry too. Look for ways to upcycle clothing that you deem out of style or that may no longer fit you. Opt for clothing made from natural fibers. Check out your local thrift and second-hand stores when looking to purchase a new outfit to prevent new garments from entering the consumer cycle. Remember: it's not on your shoulders to change everything, but if we all improve a little bit, we'll see the positive change all around us.
References:
https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61dd9f6e0419d83f2fb548fb/t/6373f904f4f9177c12dfc2bc/1668544782604/Fact+Sheet.pdf
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-02914-2
https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10
https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-garment-workers-protest-minimum-wage-928de69317e2f39911987f9369285bdf
Photo by Willo M.: https://www.pexels.com/photo/shallow-focus-photo-of-clothing-rack-3768005/
