Day 32: An in-depth look at the environmental cost of fast fashion

7/26/2024

Day 32: An in-depth look at the environmental cost of fast fashion

Fast fashion has an immense environmental and social cost, as a report from the Center for Biological Diversity points out. In part that’s due to the sheer volume of clothing produced: fast fashion industry is expanding at an alarming rate, with garment production nearly doubling over the past 20 years and global fashion consumption increasing by 400%. This rapid growth has become a destructive force for the planet and vulnerable communities.

At its core, fast fashion’s business model relies on the exploitation of natural resources and labour, says the report, “At what cost: Unravelling the harms of the fast fashion industry”. The industry’s insatiable demand for raw materials — often derived from fossil fuels or animal agriculture — results in significant harm to land, water, and wildlife.

“Waste occurs at every stage of the garment manufacturing process, harming wildlife, degrading land, and polluting soil and water,” the report says. From the widespread deforestation for grazing lands to the water pollution caused by textile dyes and chemicals, the production process leaves a devastating environmental footprint.

The industry is responsible for up to 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions, a figure that surpasses the combined emissions of international aviation and shipping. According to the report, synthetic fabrics such as polyester — which are derived from petrochemicals — consume vast amounts of oil and release harmful microplastics into the oceans.

These fabrics, commonly used in fast fashion, take hundreds of years to break down, continuing to pollute marine ecosystems long after they are discarded. The report highlights that “fiberes such as polyester are slow to degrade in the ocean, taking potentially up to 200 years to decompose.”

Animal-based textiles such as wool also play a role in this crisis. While often viewed as a natural alternative, wool production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and habitat destruction. In fast fashion, wool is often blended with synthetic fibres and treated with chemicals, further exacerbating the environmental toll. As the report says, “wool is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, widespread habitat loss from deforestation and grassland conversion, and other harms to wildlife.”

Yet, the environmental damage does not end at production. Fast fashion’s quick turnover of styles, low-quality fabrics, and poor garment construction lead to clothing being worn fewer times and discarded quickly. Many of these garments end up in landfills or are incinerated, further contributing to the climate crisis. “Despite the increased demand and consumption of fast fashion garments, people are buying more while wearing fewer of the items they own,” the report says. These short-lived garments often shed microplastics during washing, contaminating marine environments.

Despite growing consumer awareness of sustainability, the fast fashion industry shows no signs of slowing down. With brands like Shein reportedly producing upwards of 50,000 garments a day, the scale of this issue is staggering.

As the Center for Biological Diversity warns, if current trends persist, fast fashion’s environmental footprint could increase by over 50% by 2030. The need for a sustainable shift in fashion has never been clearer.

Everything I wore on day 32 of the 90 days of Shein challenge: