The Devil Wears Zara: Let’s Talk Fast Fashion
Fast fashion has taken the world by storm, and not necessarily in a good way. In theory, the idea of buying more clothes for less sounds like a great idea. Consumers of all income levels find value in being able to buy clothes on a whim because they are so, so cheap. The problem is that all of our whims add up to a heck of a lot of damage to the planet.
Fast fashion is the fastest growing category of waste in the country today. A recent study concluded that this industry is responsible for 10% of the world’s carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater. Modern producers and consumers have taken a turn towards a “throw-away” culture; a culture in which the overall quality of clothing has decreased tremendously, causing producers to have to process a lot more in order to get the same amount of goods to sell.
Polyester is the main culprit. Nowadays, polyester, a polluting plastic made from fossil fuels, is used 4x more than cotton in clothing production because it is a much less expensive input. When polyester is washed or disposed of, it releases microplastics that are slowly degrading the environment as they are washed out to sea and flushed through rivers.
Renewing our wardrobes from the Fall to Winter Collections every year might make you the best dressed at the office, but your old clothes are ending up in landfills all over the world. The microplastics in our oceans and freshwater systems heavily affect human health once they enter the food chain. There are three primary negative aspects of polyester that should not go unnoticed: it’s non-biodegradable, non-breathable and is energy-intensive to produce. Because it’s non-biodegradable, every piece of polyester ever produced is still on the planet today. It’s a frightening thought that generations to come will be living with the remnants of our fashion addiction. No one should have to see Von Dutch caps ever again!
On the supply side, garment factories are horrific workplaces. China is the global leader in clothing exports, much in part due to low wages and minimal regulation. Because of this, some employees end up working 16-hour days and only end up taking home about $68/month (US equivalent). Many workers are highly underpaid, working in poor conditions and some are children. In addition to hazardous working conditions, workers and people living close to these factories are also bearing a heavy burden ofenvironmental health hazards.
So, before you revel your next bargain at H&M, Zara or Topshop, you may want to actually consider a second hand Chanel Bag instead. 😉
Gianna New, Business Development Intern
Zara, one of the leading producers of clothing waste today, promises all its clothes will be sustainable by2025.
ECOALF is a company that is truly sustainable and makes all clothing from fully recycled materials. In addition, Rent the Runway, The RealReal, and ThredUp are three awesome companies who take a more sustainable approach to selling clothing and are the future of fashion.
Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion helps show how cheap fashion has changed the way Americans dress.
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