Fast fashion brands have mastered the art of delivering trendy, budget-friendly clothing during the January sales. But this affordability often hides the true cost – a heavy toll on our planet and its people. These brands rapidly produce new collections, keeping us in style without emptying our wallets. However, this convenience comes with serious environmental and social downsides. From the shores of Ghana to the landfills of Columbia, fast fashion continues to ruin lives due to the decisions we are making in our shores. I will use this blog to share some of the hidden costs of fast fashion and what we can do to avoid perpetuating the cycle with during January sales.
The hidden Costs of Fast Fashion
January sales beckon with up to 75% discount on high streets and online. We all know it too well – overflowing closets be damned, those discounted sweaters whispering promises of cozy chic just beg to be brought home. But before we get swept away in the retail whirlwind, let’s take a moment to peek behind the curtain. Because the truth is, the affordability of fast fashion often hides a hefty price tag, one paid by our planet and the people behind the seams.
Environment Costs
This isn’t a guilt trip, it’s a call to awareness. Fast fashion’s rapid cycle of trendy, throwaway clothes comes at a steep cost. The fashion industry ranks second in water usage and accounts for about 8-10% of the world’s carbon emissions. Major players like Zara, Shein, and Primark significantly contribute to this problem by releasing thousands of new, low-cost items, often produced by underpaid workers. The water consumption for just one cotton t-shirt is around 2,700 liters! A 2017 study revealed that in 2015, the fashion industry used 79 billion cubic meters of water, enough to fill 32 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. This amount is predicted to rise by 50% by 2030.
With the global population estimated to reach 8.5 billion by 2030, clothing and apparel consumption is expected to increase by 63%, from the current 62 million tons to 102 million tons. This surge in demand will exert even more strain on our planet’s resources. Moreover, the disposal of unwanted clothing and textiles exacerbates the UK’s waste problem. Astonishingly, every five minutes, 10,000 articles of clothing are sent to landfills, amounting to an annual loss of £140 million in value.
Social Costs
The price tag isn’t just environmental. Low-wage countries with lax labor laws are often the factories powering fast fashion’s engine. We’re talking poor working conditions, meager pay, and a disregard for basic worker rights. These human costs cast a long shadow on the industry’s glossy facade.
Garment workers making clothes in Bangladesh for UK high-street brands say they are facing starvation and are having to steal and scavenge food from fields and bins to feed their children, as they protested over a new minimum wage for the garment workforce of 4 million people last year. Despite being a major supplier of clothing to fast fashion brands, Bangladesh has one of the lowest minimum wages for garment workers in the world, which has remained set at 8,000 taka (£60) since 2018.
The price consumers pay for clothing is only minimally attributed to the wages of the workers who make them, largely due to entrenched structural power imbalances. This was evident in the case of the England football team’s national kit for the 2018 World Cup. Adorned with a famous sportswear brand’s logo, it became the priciest England kit to date, retailing to fans for up to €180. In stark contrast, the laborers in Bangladesh who crafted these kits were paid less than €2 per day. Labor rights organizations assert that while numerous brands publicly support the call for increased wages for workers, real progress demands these brands commit to paying higher prices for their clothing orders.
Thulsi Narayanasamy, the director of international advocacy at the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC), emphasizes the significant influence brands hold in these discussions. However, she notes their current failure to effectively use this power. Narayanasamy argues that merely expressing support for higher minimum wages and living wages is not enough. There needs to be tangible action, which involves actually compensating factories and workers the true cost of producing clothing. Without this, the high profits earned from these clothes render their verbal support meaningless.
Sustainable Fashion
Yet, amidst this reality, a ray of hope emerges. It’s called sustainable fashion – a movement built on the principles of eco-friendly materials, ethical labor practices, and transparent governance. Sustainable fashion is a way in which brands create clothing that not only reduces the impact on the environment but is also mindful of the people who work to produce the garments. Put simply, it is fashion that is ethically made and environmentally friendly.
How you can take a stand for sustainable fashion?
Because it’s not just good for your conscience, it’s savvy fashion sense. These brands are pushing boundaries, crafting innovative materials, and creating unique pieces that deserve a place in any style-conscious wardrobe. Plus, with the second-hand market booming, preloved finds offer a treasure trove of sustainable chic and budget-friendly bargains.
But making a difference goes beyond individual purchases. As savvy investors, we can choose portfolios that champion sustainability principles. Companies committed to reducing their environmental footprint, minimizing waste, and ensuring fair labor practices deserve our financial support. It’s not just about returns; it’s about investing in a better future. We can remain captive to the fast fashion cycle, feeding the beast that harms our planet and its people. Or, we can rise up, embrace the wave of sustainable style, and become agents of change in the industry we love.
Here’s how we can take a stand:
- Become mindful shoppers: Before the January fever grips you, question every purchase. Consider the environmental and social impact of that sweater, that jacket. Seek out sustainable brands that align with your values. Remember, every item you choose is a vote for the kind of world you want to create.
- Embrace the power of preloved: Give second-hand stores and online platforms like Depop a chance. Not only will you save money and reduce waste, but you’ll also discover unique treasures that tell a story. Vintage finds are the ultimate badge of sustainable chic!
- Invest in a greener future: Explore portfolios that prioritize sustainability practices. By supporting companies making a positive impact, we become architects of a brighter fashion landscape. Remember, your financial choices hold immense power.
- Share your fashion journey: Let’s amplify the conversation about sustainable fashion! Talk to your friends, share your favorite brands on social media, and encourage others to join the movement. Every voice matters, every action ripples outwards.
Conclusion
We’re at a pivotal moment in fashion history. With each conscious choice, we can nudge the industry towards a more responsible future. It’s not just about what we wear; it’s about how we wear it. It’s about making fashion a force for good, a reflection of our values, and a celebration of style with a conscience. Sustainable fashion isn’t about sacrifice; it’s about liberation. It’s about reclaiming the joy of fashion while contributing to a world that’s kinder to people and the planet.
Remember, you have the power to make a difference. Every penny spent, every conversation sparked, every preloved outfit embraced – it all adds up. Together, we can rewrite the narrative of fashion, making it a story of beauty, responsibility, and hope for a sustainable future.