Stylish designer clothing at affordable prices, seems like fashion heaven, right? But if there’s one thing we’re finally starting to learn is that if it seems too good to be true, it is. Today’s consumer buys 5 times more clothes than their grandparents did and throws away an average of 77 pounds (35 kgs) of clothes each year. Fast fashion companies may have lowered prices and sped up production times, but is it really worth sacrificing our health and environment for the sake of trends?
The Fashion Industry’s Impact on the Planet
In order for major fast fashion companies such as Zara, H&M, and Forever 21 to maintain low prices for their customers, they must continuously look for ways to cut production costs. By moving their factories overseas to countries that have lower minimum wages and fewer environmental restrictions, they’re able to pump out more and more affordable collections each year. Great for their customers but terrible for our planet. According to an eye-opening article in Business Insider, the fashion industry has a more harmful impact on the planet than maritime shipping and international flights combined.
Water
One of fashion’s biggest crimes is its crime against water. By consuming massive amounts of water to grow the materials necessary for making textiles, and then using even more water to treat and dye the fabric. Afterward, the untreated wastewater is dumped back into rivers which leads to the ocean.
- It takes an average of 700 gallons of water to make a single cotton t-shirt and 2,000 gallons for a pair of jeans
- Toxic wastewater from garment factories contains lead, arsenic, and mercury
- Plastic pollutants from microfibers such as polyester in the wastewater and our own washing machines end up in the ocean, where they get eaten by marine life, which in turn get consumed by us
Energy and Landfills
Each year it takes 70 million barrels of oil just to produce polyester. Clothing made from synthetic fibers such as polyester can take up to 200 years to decompose in our landfills and each year about 85% of all textiles end up in those landfills. Fast fashion clothes are not made to last. They’re made to be worn a few times and then thrown away. Yet we cut down around 70 million trees a year to make those inferior disposable clothes.
Working Conditions
Garment workers endure some of the harshest working conditions and lowest wages of any industry. Child labor still accounts for a large percentage of the workforce in certain countries.
- The average garment worker labors for 14-16 hours a day
- They often work 7 days a week
- With an average work week of 96 hours
- Making wages that don’t earn them enough to buy food, pay rent, or afford healthcare
- Working in dangerous conditions that are harmful to their health
What Can You Do?
The best way to force irresponsible companies to change their ways is by protesting with your wallet. Start by making a conscious decision to reduce the number of microfibers you wear and choose to buy clothes made from cotton, linen, and untreated silk. Start researching companies that care about their impact on the environment and promote sustainable casual streetwear.
By shopping for sustainable women’s wear that is well-made, long-lasting, and always in style, you’re ensuring that your purchases are not going to end up in a landfill in a few months’ time. You can also buy secondhand clothes which have already been proven to last and donate any unwanted clothes that you have rather than just throwing them away.
Lots of major fashion brands are starting to realize the impact they’re having on the planet and are working to make changes. However, the changes have to start with what consumers are demanding. This means it’s time to make consciousness the hottest trend!
