Clothing brands such as Zara, H&M, and Forever 21 have long been known for offering affordable and stylish clothing options to consumers. Over the decades, the fast fashion industry has met the demands of customers. However, concurrently, it is imperative to recognise that these fast fashion clothing harms the environment.
A recent study by scientists revealed that wearing fast-fashion jeans impacts the environment. It’s like driving a gas-guzzling car for over six miles.
Researchers at Guangdong University of Technology studied the environmental impact of traditional jeans. They researched these jeans from the cotton fields to the landfill to better understand their ecological effects.
Fast-fashion jeans are different from traditional jeans because they’re discarded quickly. They are generally considered to be of poor quality and live up to the ongoing trends.
Each time a fast fashion item is made and transported, it produces a considerable amount (2.5 Kg) of CO2. This carbon footprint exceeds that of jeans worn out over time by 11 times.
Fast fashion brands use specific methods to keep up with low prices. They use synthetic fabrics made from fossil fuels, increasing production pollution. The companies also take advantage of workers in overseas factories to cut costs, as labour there is cheaper and regulations are less stringent. Additionally, to keep trending, companies often transport clothes by air instead of by sea. This results in higher emissions.
Classic jeans are built to last, made from durable materials that can handle regular wear, washing, and ageing. According to Dr Zhou, fashion trends drive people to buy clothes and wear them briefly to keep up with the trending fashion. This high level of consumption has led to a significant increase in the use of resources and energy in the textile industry.
Fast fashion often deceives us with low prices, making shopping seem inexpensive. But the issue persists even after we dispose of these items. Since most fast fashion fabrics are synthetic and not recycled, they don’t decompose naturally. This leaves the problem unresolved. Hence, it’s important to stay cautious whenever you are reshuffling your wardrobe.
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