The True Cost of Fast Fashion
By: Paige Lo Bianco
Paige is a biology student and Sustainability Assistant at Ontario Tech University. She is passionate about environmental conservation, sustainability, and climate justice.
Having the ability to buy and receive clothes with the click of a button has transformed the way we shop. Combine that with competitive pricing and it’s easy to see why so many participate in fast fashion, but behind the affordability and convenience are dark environmental and social consequences that cannot be ignored.
The Environmental Impact
One of the most concerning aspects of fast fashion is its environmental impact. In order to produce such a variety of clothing so quickly, many resources are required. The textile industry is well known for its high water consumption. In fact, making just one cotton shirt takes 3,000 litres of water. This substantial consumption of water puts even more strain on resources that are already depleted. Additionally, the many chemicals and dyes used to create these clothes pollute surrounding waterways via wastewater and chemical run-off. It’s estimated that approximately 20% of wastewater worldwide is due to textile dye which is toxic and harmful to surrounding aquatic and land ecosystems.
8-10% of global carbon emissions can be attributed to the fashion industry because of the energy-intensive processes required to turn plastic fibres like polyester and nylon into textiles. This manufacturing process uses countless amounts of fossil fuels, which release volatile particles into the air. The environmental cost of shipping these clothes worldwide is also costly because the global supply chain uses everything from airplanes to cargo ships.
The fast-paced trends that the fashion industry thrives on often lead to companies cutting corners on quality to keep consumer costs down and keep products flowing. Due to their low quality, these clothes commonly tear or break ending up in landfills after a few uses. The nature of fast fashion also encourages a cycle of continuous buying and throwing away clothing with estimations at about 87% of clothing fibre ending up in landfills or burned.
The Social Impact
Not only does fast fashion harm our environment, but it is also a danger to human rights and impacts society as a whole. Many companies have come under fire recently because of their exploitation of workers in developing countries for cheap labour. Often these workers are placed in dangerous conditions without job security or labour rights. Factory workers are exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals linked to cancer, including phthalates and lead. By prioritizing profit over safety, countless workers' lives are at risk, leading to disastrous results such as the Rana Plaza collapse which caused 1,100 deaths in Bangladesh.
What You Can Do
As awareness grows about the consequences of fast fashion, consumers are turning towards more sustainable fashion practices. In recent years there has been a movement of prioritizing a quality over quantity approach to shopping, where customers are encouraged to purchase high-quality items they know will last and that they can continue to wear year after year. Another alternative is to take advantage of services utilizing the circular economy like clothing rentals, second-hand and thrift stores, and textile recycling programs that aim to keep as much waste out of landfills as possible. The Ontario Tech sustainability department is currently offering a free pop-up store at each of our campus farmers’ markets where donated clothing and household items are available for free. Ultimately by making more informed decisions, being mindful of ethical industry standards, and choosing to support sustainable clothing brands we as consumers can drive change.
While fast fashion has made fashion trends more accessible to all, there are many hidden costs to its convenience. As we learn more about the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion it is important to prioritize sustainable and ethical shopping practices. In doing so, we can create a more sustainable world of fashion.
References
The environmental costs of Fast Fashion. (2023). Retrieved from https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/the-environmental-cost-of-fast-fashion/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn9y1BhC2ARIsAG5IY-7pzBxvCBouTPy7sDkssdBZbxzIFE-f0CmG20jBy4qaR3xuaeCGcTEaAtAxEALw_wcB
McNeil, M. (2024). Are there hidden chemicals in our clothing? Retrieved from https://remake.world/stories/there-are-hidden-chemicals-in-our-clothing/
The Rana Plaza Disaster ten years on: What has changed? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://webapps.ilo.org/infostories/en-GB/Stories/Country-Focus/rana-plaza#intro
Staff, O. N. (2024). The environmental impacts of fast fashion. Retrieved from https://ontarionature.org/environmental-impacts-of-fast-fashion-blog/
