Fast fashion is detrimental to global preservation.
With microtrends taking over the runway, fast fashion has a firm hold on society. As defined by earth.org, the term refers to “cheaply produced and priced garments that copy the latest catwalk styles and get pumped quickly through stores in order to maximize on current trends.” Despite its accessibility and wide variety, fast fashion is fueling the planet’s decay through its acceleration of global warming and societal deterioration.
A study done by the UN Environment Programme shows that the fast fashion industry is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second largest consumer of water in the world. The washing process for fast fashion releases 500,000 tons of microfibers into the oceans. These consequences have lasting effects on the health of our ecosystems and planet.
Another issue of fast fashion is its inherent waste. As society falls for microtrends, the purchasing and throwing away of cheaply-produced clothing increases substantially. Earth.org states that about 85% of all textiles go to dumps annually, and fashinnovation.nyc predicts that more than 50% of fast fashion will be discarded by the end of the year. Global apparel consumption is projected to increase 63% by 2030. This overconsumption leads to unnecessary waste, straining the environment and consumers’ wallets.
In addition to punishing buyers, fast fashion also viciously preys on its workers. A study conducted by Fabric of Change found that fast fashion workers in Bangladesh earn around $96 per month, 3.5 times less than the suggested amount for a substantial living wage in the area. Fast fashion companies maintain their cheap prices by undercutting their employees.
Approximately 80% of the 75 million workers in the industry are young women between the ages 18 and 24, and the majority of fast fashion labor comes from developing countries. These workers are exploited because they have little bargaining power and can be replaced almost instantly. The practice is abusive, inhumane, and counterproductive to global progress.
By choosing to use one of the countless other options to purchase apparel, we can minimize the negative impact of fast fashion on the environment and our society.
MAJOR FAST FASHION BRANDS
ZARA
Shein
UNIQLO
Forever 21
H & M
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