What is Fast Fashion?

Fast fashion is a term used to describe businesses that replicate popular trends and high-fashion designs by mass-producing them at a low cost. This industry causes worldwide issues because it encourages people to buy clothes very cheaply and barely wear them before throwing them away. In this industry, there is a lot of mistreatment and underpayment of workers. The Fast Fashion Industry also has a large impact on the environment in many negative ways.

Shocking Facts

  • “The fashion industry is responsible for 8% of carbon emissions” (UN Environment, 2019)

  • “The average American throws away around 81 pounds of clothing yearly” (Saturday Evening Post, 2018)

  • “68% of fast fashion brands don’t maintain gender equality at production facilities” (Ethical Fashion Guide, 2019)

  • “Less than 11% of brands are implementing recycling strategies for their items” (Peppermint Magazine, 2019)

  • “Three out of five fast fashion items end up in a landfill” (Clean Clothes Campaign, 2019)

  • “Washing, solvents, and dyes used in manufacturing are responsible for one-fifth of industrial water pollution” (McKinsey, 2020)

  • “Nearly 70 million barrels of oil are used each year to make the world’s polyester fiber, which is now the most commonly used fiber in our clothing. But it takes more than 200 years to decompose.” (Forbes, 2015)

  • “Fashion accounts for 20 to 35 percent of microplastic flows into the ocean.” (The State of Fashion, McKinsey 2020)

  • “63% of textile fibers are derived from petrochemicals” (Journal of Cleaner Production, 2018)

Why Should You Care?

Fast fashion contributes to many different global issues. But, the two main issues are the pollution it generates and the unfair labor practices they use. Even though the Fast Fashion Industry has made some improvements they are minor and declining. “The effort that fast fashion brands put into sustainable production measures is decreasing” (Global Fashion Agenda, 2019).

Fast Fashion is one of the leading contributors to global pollution. The industry continues to use poor fabric which ends up being non-reusable, emits huge quantities of greenhouse gases, and uses massive quantities of energy, chemicals, and water. “The fashion industry is responsible for 8% of carbon emissions” (UN Environment, 2019). In most countries where these clothes are produced, they have little regulation when it comes to water pollution. So because of this, toxins, dyes, and other pollutants are constantly going into the world's rivers and oceans. Even though the clothing brands know what their factories are doing, they continue to let it happen so they can have the cheapest clothing possible. “Less than 11% of brands are implementing recycling strategies for their items” (Peppermint Magazine, 2019). While different sources say different things, it’s generally accepted that the textile production contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined. 

Women and children in the Fast Fashion Industry are treated and paid awfully. In fact, “93% of brands surveyed by the Fashion Checker aren’t paying garment workers a living wage” (Fashion Checker, 2020). The countries that produce these clothes have very few rules regarding how the workers in these factories are treated. “68% of fast fashion brands don’t maintain gender equality at production facilities” (Ethical Fashion Guide, 2019). Due to these rules, a lot of the workers have been sexually assaulted and have been badly injured. Shockingly, children are taken advantage of too. The children that work in the industry’s factories and fields can be as young as 4 and 5. In summary, these women and children work long hours with minimal pay and they work in unsafe working conditions.

What Did I Do?

In July 2021 I put up a month long exhibit at The Stable (an art exhibit space) in Ridgewood, NJ. The exhibit contained images that depict the effects of The Fast Fashion Industry. The images were divided into 8 different groups and within those groups I included facts that correlated to each topic. Please click through my exhibit page to see more!

What Can You Do?

  • Buy fewer 

  • Buy second-hand or swap clothes 

  • Shop at vintage stores

  • Buy better quality that will last longer

  • Do a 30-day pledge 

    • You will wear an item a minimum of 30 times 

  • Choose natural over synthetic fibers as much as you can

  • Choose your stores thoughtfully... Buy from sustainable brands

  • Visit Good On You to see ratings of fashion brands

  • Think about what you do to fix clothes instead of throwing them out

    • Mend them 

    • Donate them

    • Put them in a textile recycling bin 

  • Support local activists Like Michelle Tyler @mt.sustainaility  

  • Spread awareness about the issue

  • Contact companies about your concerns regarding Fast Fashion