The fashion industry has seen an unprecedented boom in recent decades, and the fast fashion phenomenon has gained traction.
Fast fashion pertains to mass-produced clothing manufactured in a short period and are designed to be disposable. The industry is known for its low-cost, trendy clothing items that are constructed at a high volume.
It likewise involves the use of synthetic, low-quality materials that are manufactured rapidly with little attention to sustainability. They use synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon are used extensively because they are cheaper and have a longer lifespan than natural fibers. This results in environmental and social damage.
The artificial materials take hundreds of years to decompose and release microplastics into the ocean, thereby polluting the water and harming marine life. With clothes that are worn only a few times before being discarded, fast fashion produces a significant amount of waste.
The field is the second most polluting industry globally, with 10 percent of global carbon emissions. This consumption culture contributes to landfills and generates greenhouse gas emissions that affect the environment. It consumes more energy than aviation and shipping combined.
This model of production exploits human labor, degrades local economies, and pollutes the environment. In contrast, the traditional model involves clothing production from raw materials to finished products.
In conclusion, the fast fashion industry is damaging the environment at an unprecedented rate, and it’s crucial we start making sustainable fashion choices.
Sustainable fashion is a growing trend in today’s world, and it involves designing, producing, and distributing clothing sustainably with the environment, society, and business ethics in mind.
Adopting a sustainable approach to clothing production and consumption can assist to reduce our environmental footprint and lessen our impact on society. By shopping smarter, embracing minimalism, thrift shopping, renting clothes, and caring for our clothing, we can create a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.