In response to an ever-rising demand for clothing goods, fast fashion has emerged as one of the most convenient, quick and cheap options for consumers to date. It’s based on mass producing inexpensive replicas of the latest fashion trends; a concept proven to be significantly popular with teenagers and young adults. As attractive as it may sound, fast fashion casts a very dark shadow.
Waste, Waste, and more Waste
Currently, the fast fashion industry is anything but sustainable, as it plays a major role in worsening global environmental issues. Our vice of overproducing clothes to meet the rising demand of fast fashion results in a huge waste of clothing. These unwanted clothes (of already poor quality) are often tied up in mass bundles and sent to countries such as Ghana, where even after undergoing multiple discounts, second-hand markets and donations, they end up in landfills; no one wants poor quality clothes, especially those worn, torn and damaged. As a result, about 40% of clothing sent to Ghana resides in landfills, and 57% of fashion waste from E.U also ends up in landfills. Ghana isn’t the only place where clothes are dumped; multiple countries in north and east Africa are severely affected, and even the Chilean desert. Landfills are growing at an alarming rate; approximately 10,000 items are dumped every 5 minutes, and £140 million in value is lost in a landfill - not to forget the colossal wastage of raw materials, energy and water used to manufacture the clothes. As a side note, the fashion industry is also the world's second-largest consumer of water.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Since most fast fashion clothing is made from synthetic materials, the discarded clothing releases toxic and greenhouse gases when decomposing in landfills, harming the environment and polluting the air. For example, polyester, the most commonly used fibre, is made from plastics, hence will never fully decompose. It breaks down into microplastics, emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and harming wildlife.
ETHICAL ISSUES
Besides from the negative environmental impact, fast fashion brands often lack transparency in their supply chain and human rights policies. Most products are sourced from sweatshops, where workers are exploited and numerous human rights are violated (Forced child labour, terrible working conditions, unfair worker's wage, etc…). Fast fashion brands usually have little consideration for ethics and worker’s rights and needs.
WHAT WE CAN DO
Overall, fast fashion faces multiple environmental and ethical issues, but as aware global citizens, we can take a few steps to start ‘slowing down’ fast fashion:
Support sustainable and ethical brands Avoid fast fashion brands and opt for brands which rank high on sustainability and ethics instead. Such brands are transparent, ensuring their supply chain is as ethical as possible, whether it's sourcing recycled, sustainable materials or paying workers decent wages. This is will not only enable you to lower environmental impact and your carbon footprint, but will also support fair practices with garment workers.
Quality over quantity Fast fashion brands convince society to keep up with latest trends by buying their latest products. However, these products are made with cheap materials that won't last long, persuading us to buy more. Instead, shopping less often but better quality will help "slow down" fast fashion. For example, it's better to buy a high-quality t-shirt that will last long, rather than a few thin cheap t-shirts that won't last long. As you shop for clothes, consider whether you need the product, whether it will be useful, how often would you wear it and how long it would last.
Donate or sell unwanted clothes, and consider second hand Avoid throwing away clothing, as it will most likely end up in a landfill. Unless it's damaged, try selling or better, donating unwanted clothes; this will help reduce consumerism and over production of clothes, by making full use of existing and available clothes, rather than encouraging more production (out of which a percentage will end up in waste anyways).
Recycle textiles Textiles, such as old torn jeans, that may not be reused can be recycled. Clothing recycling centers exist, and many fashion brands, such as Levi's and H&M, have schemes accepting old clothing, which they use to make new garments by recycling old textiles.
Repurpose unwanted clothing If recycling is not possible, you can repurpose unwanted clothing. There are countless examples, from quilt covers and bags to cleaning cloths and cushion covers, so take the opportunity to unleash your creativity!