Fast fashion is an increasingly popular way to purchase clothing at low costs. Unfortunately, this business model comes with a cost and it has an impact on the environment.
Clothing manufacturing consumes a great deal of energy and produces plenty of waste, as well as emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
1. Water
Water is an essential element that supports life. It serves a number of purposes, such as drinking and cleaning. Furthermore, it powers hydroelectric power plants and transports goods.
Unfortunately, the fast fashion industry is a major contributor to water pollution. They use cheap and hazardous textile dyes and chemicals that end up in rivers and waterways around the world.
These chemicals harm wildlife and destroy sensitive marine and freshwater environments. Furthermore, they can deplete soil fertility – essential for maintaining biodiversity – which in turn harms biodiversity itself.
Furthermore, water pollution and waste from fast fashion production have serious detrimental effects on human health. Factory workers in these factories often work in hazardous conditions with inadequate wages or without basic human rights protections.
2. Waste
The fast fashion industry produces an enormous amount of waste. Every year, millions of garments are discarded and end up as landfills.
Environmental degradation caused by textile workers is a significant issue. They work under harsh conditions, earn low wages, and are exploited within unethical supply chains.
Fast fashion is a major water user. Many of the textiles produced for fast fashion contain synthetic fibres which seep into water supplies and can harm aquatic life.
Fast fashion is a big industry, but it should also consider ways to reduce its environmental impact. Some experts are advocating for a circular economy, in which clothes are reused and recycled instead of being thrown away. This would reduce waste, pollution, carbon emissions while leading to higher-quality garments. Furthermore, consumers have the choice to purchase less fast fashion while supporting sustainable companies.
3. Carbon Emissions
Fast fashion clothing, often composed of synthetic materials and shipped around the world, has an impact on the environment. Carbon emissions, water use and waste generation are all issues that must be addressed for a lasting solution.
The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, depletes water sources and pollutes rivers and streams. Furthermore, it uses vast amounts of water to dye fabrics and wash clothes, leading to microplastic pollution in rivers and streams.
To reduce environmental impacts, the fashion industry needs to transition towards more sustainable business models that encourage consumers to reuse and recycle clothing. This could be achieved through circular business models which promote garment rental, resale, repurposing; reduced washing and drying processes; as well as increased recycling efforts.
4. Energy
The fast fashion industry is one of the biggest consumers of energy on Earth. It takes a significant amount of energy to cultivate crops, manufacture fabrics and transport finished products around to customers around the globe.
These processes also release greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Furthermore, the industry relies on numerous chemicals which may pollute our air and water.
Furthermore, many of the synthetic fibres used in fast fashion production are non-biodegradable, meaning they will linger in our environment for many years and pose a danger to our health.
Experts advise better recycling processes, pollution control technology and a more sustainable supply chain to mitigate the negative impacts of fast fashion. Doing so would enable the fashion industry to move towards a circular economy which would reduce waste production, pollution and energy consumption.
