Fast fashion facts is a term used to describe the rapid production and consumption of clothing that is designed to be cheap and trendy. While it may seem harmless, the fast fashion industry has a dark side that includes sweatshops, environmental damage, and textile waste. Here are a few eye-opening facts about fast fashion that you need to know.
Oh, fast fashion, how I hate you. By this time, the majority of us are familiar with it and can mention many fast fashion companies without stammering. Transparency and sustainability aren’t exactly the fashion industry’s favorite topics, as is well known. Well, these two aren’t even in the syllabus when it comes to fast fashion, guy.
Fast Fashion Facts Are The Second Largest Polluter In The World!
It may come as a surprise, but the fast fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world, after the oil industry. The production and transportation of clothing contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and other environmental problems.
In addition, the fast fashion model encourages consumers to buy and dispose of clothing quickly, leading to even more waste and pollution. It’s important to consider the environmental impact of our clothing choices and look for more sustainable options.
Over 80 Billion New Pieces of Clothing Are Bought Each Year Worldwide!
Do you know how many zeros there are in this number? 80,000,000,000 is 80 billion.
As a result, we now consume 400% more clothing than we did in the year 2000, and in 2016 alone, each person received about 20 brand-new items.
Geographically and socially, these 20 articles of apparel aren’t spread equitably around the world. Therefore, for every person who doesn’t contribute to fast fashion due to morals or accessibility issues, someone else is donating twice as much.
85% Of Used Clothing Is Disposed Of In Landfills!
Even when the materials can be recycled or used again. Accordingly, 92 million tons of clothing—or 4% of the world’s annual waste—are simply thrown away, even though 95% of them might have been repurposed. Less than 1% of clothing is recycled nowadays.
Additionally, keep in mind that the majority of our clothing is synthetic, made of plastic from fossil fuels, and is not biodegradable. If it is disposed of in a landfill, it will spend the next 200+ years decomposing into microfibers (microplastics), which are discharged into the air, soil, and water.
By creating clothing from recycled materials, several fashion businesses are attempting to address the overall issue of fashion waste. This is fantastic for natural fabrics, but it becomes a little tricky when it comes to recycled synthetic clothing. In this essay about recycled bottle clothing, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these materials.
Workers In Fast Fashion Facts Factories Are Often Paid Extremely!
Unfortunately, the dark side of fast fashion doesn’t stop at environmental concerns. Workers in fast fashion factories are often paid extremely low wages and work in unsafe conditions. In fact, many workers in countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia earn less than $3 a day, which is not enough to cover basic living expenses.
In addition, these workers are often subjected to long hours, poor working conditions, and even physical and verbal abuse. It’s important to consider the human cost of fast fashion and support brands that prioritize fair labor practices.
The Average American Throws Away 80 Pounds Of Clothing Per Year!
Fast fashion has contributed to a culture of disposable clothing. Where items are worn only a few times before being discarded. In fact, the average American throws away 80 pounds of clothing per year. Which adds up to a staggering 11 million tons of textile waste in the US alone.
This waste not only takes up space in landfills but also contributes to environmental pollution. As synthetic fabrics release harmful chemicals when they decompose. It’s important to consider the impact of our clothing choices for women, men, and kids and opt for sustainable and ethical fashion alternatives.
The Fashion Industry Makes 3 Trillion Dollars Yearly!
Which is equivalent to 2% of global GDP. Of those, the fast fashion industry is responsible for almost $1 trillion. Clothing workers in Cambodia staged a sizable demonstration in 2013 to seek a respectable minimum pay of 160 dollars per month.
Following the demonstrations, the administration decided to increase it from the first 100$ offer to 140/month. Are you serious?
The fashion industry is therefore quite lucrative, but regrettably, it is also one of the least egalitarian.
Fast Fashion Facts Companies Often Use Toxic Chemicals!
Many fast fashion companies use toxic chemicals in their production processes. Which can have harmful effects on both the environment and the workers who handle them. These chemicals include dyes, bleaches, and finishing agents, which can pollute waterways and cause health problems for workers.
In fact, a study by Greenpeace found that hazardous chemicals were present in clothing items from 20 major fashion brands. It’s important to support companies that prioritize sustainable and safe production methods.
Fashion Is Contributing To The Depletion Of Natural Resources!
Fast fashion is a major contributor to the depletion of natural resources, including water, energy, and raw materials. The production of clothing requires vast amounts of water, with some estimates suggesting that it takes up to 2,700 liters of water to produce a single cotton t-shirt.
Additionally, the energy required to produce and transport clothing contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. By choosing to support sustainable and ethical fashion brands, consumers can help reduce the negative impact of the fashion industry on the environment.
So What Comes Next?
I really don’t want to live in a world where fashion doesn’t exist. We also need a fashion industry in order to have fashion. This is not to say that we require a harmful fashion business.
The first stage is to increase consumer, small company, creator, and fashion worker awareness. We may not be as wealthy as a major fashion CEO. But we still have influence and the ability to vote with our money.
We only need to spread the word that, when it comes to environmental action, there is power in numbers and that what we wear affects the globe.
So why not begin by finding out who made your clothes?
