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Fast Fashion

Introduction

Clothing buying used to be a once-a-year affair that occurred as the seasons changed or

when we outgrew what people had. However, something changed approximately 20 years ago.

Clothes grew more affordable, fashion cycles accelerated, and shopping became a pastime. Enter

quick fashion and multinational chains, which have consolidated their hold on our high streets

and internet shopping (Rauturier 1). Take a stroll along any main street, and one is sure to come

across an assortment of clothes stores (Tweedale 1). That is what fast fashion is all about. Fast

fashion is low-cost, fashionable apparel that takes inspiration and transforms it into clothes

offered at high-speed shops, on the road or in the mass media. When new designs are introduced,

it is intended that consumers purchase them while they are still in vogue and then discard them

after a few wears, thereby ensuring that they are no longer fashionable. It promotes the idea that

wearing the same clothing over and over again is a style gaffe and that in order to stay current,

one must wear the most recent trends as soon as they appear. It is a critical component of the

poisonous system of overproduction and consumption that has elevated fashion to one of the

world's most polluting industries (Rauturier 1). Fast fashion encourages consumers to

continuously refresh their appearances since there is always a new trend to purchase. However,
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regardless of how enjoyable and straightforward the procedure seems on the surface, there is a

significant hidden cost associated (Tweedale 1). With all the pollution and energy consumption

that fast fashion has brought to the globe, it has had a terrible effect on society or the economy.

The problems associated with fast fashion

Viscose was developed in 1890 as a cheaper substitute for cotton in the manufacture of

cellulosic. Viscose, sometimes referred to as rayon, is a popular cellulosic fibre produced from

wood pulp (Le 1). It has a significant negative impact on the environment due to hazardous

chemicals and unethical material procurement. While some businesses employ hazardous

chemicals, others are concerned about additional consequences beyond environmental concerns.

For example, the carbon disulfide used in the manufacture of viscose fibers has fatal health

consequences for workers (Cavender et al. 98). As a consequence, it is somewhat unsurprising

that viscose manufacturing generates more greenhouse gases than cotton production. The fashion

sector now accounts for more than ten percent of total global carbon emissions yearly than all

marine transport combined global flights and. If the industry continues on its present trajectory,

carbon pollution is expected to increase by half within a decade (Le 1).

Pollution is detrimental to our health and the environment. Textile manufacturing is the

initial stage in the worldwide textile supply chain; synthetic and natural fibers are created.

Around ninety percent of fashion marketed globally is made of cotton or polyester, both of which

have severe health consequences due to their manufacturing and production methods (Bick et al.

4). Polyester, a synthetic textile made from oil, is produced without pesticides, while cotton

needs significant water and pesticides to grow. An additional danger arises as a result of textile

dyeing because of industrial effluent from dyeing is often discarded into local water systems,
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resulting in the formation of toxic compounds and other hazardous metals that may damage the

health of animals and people in the vicinity.

The Effects Fast fashion.

The need for energy has increased as a result of the mass production of quick fashion.

The fast-fashion industry depletes nonrenewable and valuable natural resources. Natural fibers,

such as protein-based and cellulosic fibers, such as cotton, are supplanting synthetic fibers fossil

fuel - based, such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon, in the clothing manufacturing process. Cotton

is the most often used natural fiber in the clothing manufacturing process. At a considerable

distance, they are followed by lignocellulosic materials derived from wood, as well as other

natural fibers, such as wool (Cornea 31). According to Cornea (31), Polyester, which accounts

for more than sixty percent of all fashion products, is mostly derived from petroleum, a

nonrenewable natural resource that, according to current estimates, will be depleted in

approximately sixty years. While natural fibres are sustainable, their manufacturing requires non-

renewable products. The method of producing organic and synthetic textile fibers consumes a

considerable quantity of chemicals and a significant amount of thermal and electric energy, the

majority of which is derived from non-renewable resources. The textile sector such as fast

fashion, uses several resources to produce the necessary energy, yet it has poor energy

efficiency. For instance, India and China, which account for most international textile

production, rely heavily on coal-fired electricity for manufacturing. Rather than that,

Bangladesh, another major textile manufacturer, generates power mostly from natural gas,

followed by petroleum and coal-derived furnace oil. Petroleum, natural gas, or oil coal are all

fossil fuels, which means they are non-renewable. Additionally, the fashion business contributes

to soil deterioration and deforestation. Thus, the manufacturing of natural textile fibers like
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viscose, rayon, and modal leads in deforestation, destroying about one hundred and fifty million

trees each year (Cornea 31). Furthermore, packaging should be mentioned, as fast fashion trends

replace plastic shopping bags with paper bags; paper bags are typically associated with

deforestation.

Due to the mass manufacturing of fast fashion, working conditions are awful, and

employees' safety is jeopardized. Approximately forty million people work in garment assembly,

which is the next stage in the global textile value chain, on a worldwide scale (Bick et al. 3). Fast

fashion, according to Omelich (1), necessitates the usage of eight thousand distinct synthetic

chemicals, the most of which have been related to cancer and other human illnesses. These

dangerous compounds may be found in garment dyes, caustic finishing and bonding agents, and

synthetic fabrics (Young 1). Workers on fast fashion factory floors are constantly exposed to and

inhale dangerous chemicals. Factory wastewater creeps into our waterways and contaminates our

agricultural systems. And to make matters worse, the long-term consequences of wearing these

synthetic, chemical-laden clothes on our bare bodies are unknown; clothing tags do not provide

nutritional advice or health warnings. All we know is that fast fashion is based on cancer-causing

toxic chemicals that are killing our world and humanity.  Bick et al. (3) report that life-

threatening and debilitating diseases such as cancer and lung disease endocrine dysfunction, poor

fetal outcomes and infertility are among the health outcomes recorded in low- and middle-

income countries. They also report that accidental accidents, mortality, and overuse injuries are

among the healthcare outcomes recorded in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

However, these tragedies have had a little discernible effect on the safety requirements for

employees in low- and middle-income nations.

The environmental injustices continue long after the fast fashion item has been sold.

Consumers are encouraged to see clothes as disposable under the fast fashion model. Indeed, the

typical American discards around eighty pounds of textiles and clothes yearly, accounting for

roughly percent of landfill area (Dos 56). Clothes that are not destined for the trash often find

their way into the second-hand clothing market. Every year, the United States (US) exports about

half a million tons of used clothing, the most majority of which ends up in LMICs. In 2015, the

US exported second-hand clothes valued at more than $700 million (Bick et al. 3). Used

garments that is not sold in the U.S. is compacted into one thousand-pound packages and sent

abroad to be "processed" by low-wage employees in low-income countries (LMICs) before being

sold in second-hand marketplaces in those countries. In LMICs lacking municipal solid waste

systems, clothing that is not bought in markets ends up as solid trash that pollutes rivers,

greenways, and parks, as well as posing additional health risks to those who live there. If we do

not handle rapid fashion, our garbage problem will worsen.

The solution to the problem

The most significant answer is for individuals to purchase fewer garments. The first step

is to rediscover one's existing wardrobe by styling it differently or even 'flipping' it. Amy

compares abandoning fast fashion to going on a diet in the episode. It is a vicious loop that must

be interrupted (Team 1). Additionally, creating a capsule wardrobe is something to consider

when embarking on an ethical fashion journey.

One should choose high-quality items that will endure a long time. The second step is to

Choose Wisely, and here, picking an eco-friendly cloth is critical. All fiber kinds have their

advantages and disadvantages, as detailed in our comprehensive guide to garment materials.

However, there is a handy table at the reference end when buying. Choosing wisely may also
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imply a commitment to purchasing only second-hand or from sustainable brands. Increasing the

lifespan of products and modifying their disposal rate through the adoption of best practices from

the luxury fashion industry (Cornea 35).

Thrift stores purchase clothing that was manufactured in the past, such as vintage.

Finally, individuals should Make It Last and take care of their clothing by following care

instructions, wearing it until it is worn out, repairing it whenever feasible, and adequately

discarding it at the end of its life. Sustainable start-ups are modest and agile enough to create in a

controlled manner. Small batch companies carefully create products from sustainable materials

and release just one collection at a time to keep up with customer demand. Citizen Wolf, a

recognized B Corporation specializing in single-piece manufacturing, customizes each shirt sold

to each client using measurements and Magic Fit technology (Team 1).

Conclusion

With all the trash and pollution that fast fashion has generated, it has created a slew of

issues for society and the economy. Increased demand for vast quantities of cheap clothes has led

to social and environmental deterioration at every stage of the supply chain in the twenty years

since the fast fashion designer has become the norm for large fashion businesses. Fast fashion's

environmental and human health effects have mainly been ignored in published research,

research, and debates about environmental justice. By understanding the underlying causes of the

issue, we can connect the dots and develop solutions. The article mentioned a few potential

answers, but others include conscious buying of fast fashion companies and advocating for

change. Conducting background studies on companies before buying clothing may assist

consumers in becoming more educated and directing their choices in a way consistent with

environmental ideals. The apparel industry has wreaked havoc on our environment. However, if
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we take proactive measures such as lobbying for a more ecologically friendly fashion sector and

being an environmentally aware customer, we can ultimately halt climate change.

Work Cite

Bick, Rachel, Erika Halsey, and Christine C. Ekenga. "The global environmental injustice of fast

fashion." Environmental Health 17.1 (2018): 1-4,

link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12940-018-0433-7?

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e960-47b7-a357-2849f5ff0453

Cavender, Raye Carol, and Min-Young Lee. "Exploring the influence of sustainability

knowledge and orientation to slow consumption on fashion leaders’ drivers of fast

fashion avoidance." American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business 4.3 (2018):

90-101.

Cornea, Raluca. "Is the Transition to Bioeconomy a Sustainable Solution in Fast-fashion

Industry, Considering the Overconsumption? -Premises for Future

Research." Marketing–from Information to Decision Journal 3.1 (2020): 27-44,

www.researchgate.net/profile/Raluca-Ciornea/publication/350093345_Is_the_Transition_

to_Bioeconomy_a_Sustainable_Solution_in_Fast-

fashion_Industry_Considering_the_Overconsumption_-Premises_for_Future_Research/

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Solution-in-Fast-fashion-Industry-Considering-the-Overconsumption-Premises-for-

Future-Research.pdf

Dos Santos, Pedro Seolin, Lucila MS Campos, and P. A. Cauchick Miguel. "Adoption of the

product-service system and the potential as a sustainable solution: A literature view in the

fashion industry." Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering

and Operations Management, Pilsen, Czech Republic. 2019.

Le, Ngan. “The Impact of Fast Fashion On The Environment - PSCI." Princeton University, The

Trustees of Princeton University, psci.princeton.edu/tips/2020/7/20/the-impact-of-fast-

fashion-on-the-environment.

Omelich, Yulia. “The Impact of Fast Fashion.” Codogirl.com, 2020,

www.codogirl.com/blogs/news/the-impact-of-fast-fashion.

Rauturier, Solene. "What is fast fashion?" Good On You, 21 May 2021, goodonyou.eco/what-is-

fast-fashion/.

Team, Grow Ensemble. “How to Avoid Fast Fashion: Solutions & A New Relationship to Our

Clothes.” Grow Ensemble, 22 June 2021, growensemble.com/fast-fashion-solutions/.

Tweedale, Aimee. “Fast Fashion: What It Is, Why It's Bad for the Environment, and How to

Shop Smarter.” How Fast Fashion Impacts the Environment | OVO Energy, 2020,

www.ovoenergy.com/guides/energy-guides/how-fast-fashion-impacts-the-

environment.html.

Young, Phoebe. “What's Wrong With Fast Fashion?” Pebble Magazine, 10 June 2021,

pebblemag.com/magazine/living/whats-wrong-with-fast-fashion.