4/19/2023 0 Comments Fast fashion![]() ![]() From sexual and verbal harassment, low wages and lack of union protection, these workers often do their jobs in a state of fear and uncertainty. Garment workers often have to endure heavy labour abuses. In recent years, unsafe working conditions in clothing factories around the globe have provoked widespread outrage. Less than one percent of what is collected will be used to make new clothing a missed opportunity both economically and for the planet.Ħ. What does get collected for recycling-around 12 percent-will likely end up being shredded and used to stuff mattresses, or made into insulation or cleaning cloths. Seventy-three percent of that will be burned or buried in a landfill. The quantity of unworn clothing in the average fashionista’s closet just keeps increasing.Ī family in the western world throws away an average of 30 kilograms of clothing each year. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates a garbage truck of textiles is wasted every second.įast fashion encourages customers to keep buying the latest trends. But where do they all go? A lot end up in landfills. We produce billions of new garments every year. That would translate into more greenhouse gas emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping trips combined, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. A 2018 study by Quantis showed that the apparel and footwear industry together account for more than eight percent of global climate impacts. This, combined with the vast amount of energy used in both the supply chain and the consumer phase, makes for a heavy carbon footprint. Garments, especially those sold by fast fashion retailers, travel thousands of kilometres by plane or boat to reach their destination. Overall, microplastics from fashion could be even more damaging than plastics from the food or packaging industry.įor economic reasons, most of the fashion supply chain from crop cultivation and production of synthetic fibres, to sewing, dyeing, and selling of the clothes, takes place in different parts of the world. Up to 728,000 fibres can come off at once, spilling into waterways and contributing to the pollution of our ocean and environment. ![]() ![]() Every time we wash clothing made of these fibres, they shred. Why is that a problem? According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, 35 percent of microplastics that enter the ocean come from synthetic fibres. These fabrics are made from petroleum and are believed to make up 60 percent of the clothing we wear. Polyester, acrylic, nylon and other synthetic fibres: Consumers love them in workout clothes, swimsuits and even basics such as tee shirts. Billions of microplastics end up in the ocean This comes at a heavy price for the environment, and the communities living near cotton production facilities.ģ. Between 7,000 to 29,000 litres of water are required to produce one kilogram of cotton. While only 2.4 percent of the world’s arable land is planted with cotton, 24 percent of the world’s insecticides and 11 percent of pesticides are used to grow it.Ĭotton is also the most water-intensive crop. ![]() But while it’s understandable that shoppers might think it’s eco-friendly, it definitely isn’t.Ĭotton production relies heavily on pesticides. When it comes to the raw materials used by the textile industry, the two main categories are natural and synthetic. That’s nearly 14 items of clothing for every person on earth.Ģ. Overall, it is estimated that the amount of garments produced annually has doubled since the early 2000s reaching up to 100 billion pieces per year in 2014. Yes, that’s almost a new collection every week. The turnover can be up to 50 collections a year. The majority of clothes bought today are what’s referred to as fast fashion-where low-quality garments are mass-produced by workers who’re paid incredibly low wages so that retailers can sell them at unbeatable prices. Long gone is the time when fashion followed the cycle of natural seasons: Spring/Summer, Fall/Winter. Up to 100 billion new garments are made every year While sustainable and ethical fashion is gaining ground, the fashion industry is still one of the most harmful.ġ. From crop tops to mum jeans and bombers, fashion trends are making their way into wardrobes around the world faster than ever, thanks to social media, its thousands of influencers, and the enormous business opportunity it represents for brands.Īs for consumers, being trendy has never been easier! Low-cost online retailers allow fashionistas to renew their wardrobes quickly, and for about the cost of a Starbucks latte.īut this comes at a significant environmental cost. ![]()
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