What are the negative effects of Fast Fashion on our planet?
Fast fashion has become a grave contributor to environmental issues and there is an increasing concern associated with the fast fashion industry that needs addressing quickly if we´re going to even think about being able to save our planet…for ourselves, for our children, for their children and so on. Sustainable practices such as reducing consumption, promoting ethical production, using eco-friendly materials, and embracing circular fashion concepts are crucial. Both the fashion industry and consumers need to prioritise environmental sustainability and make conscious choices to mitigate the negative impacts of fast fashion.
One of the main issues is Water Pollution. Fast fashion production requires huge amounts of water, from growing crops such as cotton to dyeing the fabrics. To produce a single cotton shirt 700 gallons of water are needed! The water is often contaminated with toxic chemicals used whilst dyeing and in the finishing processes, which are then dumped into our rivers and oceans, polluting the water and harming aquatic life.
Textile Waste is another massive concern. Fast Fashion promotes and encourages a culture of disposable clothing, where clothes are quickly discarded and end up in landfills. The production and disposal of these textiles contribute to enormous amounts of waste, as synthetic fibers take hundreds of years to decompose, and even natural fibres can release harmful gases when decomposing in landfills.
The production of Fast Fashion involves the use of Synthetic Materials too like polyester, which is derived from non-renewable resources like crude oil. Materials like crude oil take a long time to decompose, leading to a buildup of textile waste in landfills. The production process often involves the use of toxic chemicals, which also harm the environment when they are disposed of improperly. More than all of that, the Fast Fashion business model encourages consumers to buy more and more clothes and then bin them quickly, because trends change rapidly. This "throwaway culture" mentality has led to a surge in textile waste, with items so often ending up in landfills instead of being reused or recycled.
The world's largest fast fashion landfill is in Ghazipur, a district in East Delhi, India. It spans over 70 acres and has been in operation since 1984. Originally intended to be a temporary waste disposal site, it has now exceeded its capacity and continues to grow FAST! It’s estimated that nearly 2,000 tons of waste are dumped at the site every day, which contributes massively to environmental pollution and poses serious health risks to those living in the local community.
The truth is, that in order to address the growing landfill issues, it’s imperative to promote sustainable and ethical fashion practices. This includes reducing clothing consumption, choosing higher quality and durable garments, and supporting brands that prioritize environmentally friendly production methods. Recycling and upcycling old clothes also helps to reduce the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills.
Ultimately, trying to raise awareness about the negative environmental impact of fast fashion and encouraging responsible choices is crucial in combating the landfill issues associated with the industry.
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
We have all heard about the greenhouse effect for many years now. The fast fashion industry is responsible for significant Greenhouse Gas Emissions throughout its lifecycle. Production and transportation prioritise speed and low production costs, leading to mass production and transportation of clothing items. The production process involves energy-intensive activities like fabric production, dyeing, printing, and assembling garments. The use of hazardous Chemicals used in the dyes, bleaches, and finishing agents, poses a threat to both the environment and human health. These chemicals contaminate soil, water, and air, affecting all ecosystems. Additionally, the transportation of clothing items from factories to stores and/or directly to consumers also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, especially when long distances are involved. The production of Synthetic Fibres such as polyester and nylon involves the extraction of fossil fuels and energy-intensive processes, which release greenhouse gases, on top of this synthetic fibers do not biodegrade easily and release microplastics into the environment, further contributing to pollution. Even garment care contributes to the greenhouse effect. Each stage contributes to the emission of carbon dioxide, slowly but surely destroying our planet.
To address the greenhouse gas emissions linked to fast fashion, sustainable alternatives such as slow fashion, second-hand shopping, and supporting ethical and eco-friendly brands are essential. Additionally, advocating for stricter regulations, promoting transparency, and raising awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion can drive positive change in the industry.
AS CONSUMERS HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE???
We can buy less. If you are wanting a new look, get creative! Style your clothes differently with different combinations of accessories, jackets and shoes.
When you shop choose high-quality classic styles you´ll wear at least 30 times. If you wouldn´t wear it that many times, it´s not a staple piece worthy of your wardrobe!
Buy second-hand clothes to save on the natural resources that go into making a new garment and keep a piece of clothing out of landfills.
Wait a day before purchasing something to avoid buying on impulse.
Choose natural, organic fabrics whenever possible!
In short, Buy ethically, buy quality, buy less, wear more and get creative!!!!!! These are just some ways in which we can contribute to saving our beautiful, not to mention magical, planet!
BIG LOVE!!
The Peaceful Punk.xxx
