Fashion plays a major role in the global economy, however, it is one of the most resource-intensive industries in the world. Today, we are disconnected from the value of our clothes. We buy more and more, because there is more and more collections being forced on us. This is typically the case of fast fashion, which is mass-producing clothes at a very fast pace and selling at a low cost. The true cost of our clothes, and their environmental and social impact, is largely out of our sight, but that does not mean it does not exist.
When we buy more and more, this signals the fashion industry to produce at the pace of our demands. This is typically the case of fast fashion, which is mass-producing clothes at a very fast pace and selling at a low cost. The true cost of our clothes, and their environmental and social impact, is largely out of our sight, but that does not mean it does not exist.
Why Is Fast Fashion Bad?
Just because an industry is big doesn’t have to mean it’s necessarily bad. For the fast fashion industry, however, this is the case at large. It stands under criticism for its environmental impact, poor working conditions and the sheer amount of waste coming from it to just name a few.
An Industry with Staggering Economic Power
The top 10 fashion retailers in Europe generated a combined turnover of 79.3 billion Euros in 2021, equivalent to the estimated value of the Colosseum in Rome. If these companies formed a country, they would rank as the 69th wealthiest nation globally, positioned between Luxembourg and Bulgaria. This immense economic power comes with an equally immense environmental and social footprint.
Overwhelming Textile Waste
Each year, the global fashion industry produces approximately 92 million tons of textile waste—equivalent to 1,758 times the Titanic. Yes, we’re talking about this huge-ass ship. This massive waste stream represents not just lost resources but a growing environmental crisis that demands immediate attention and systemic change. Countries in the global south are increasingly overwhelmed with the amount of waste loaded on them by the EU or US.
One of the Biggest Polluters Worldwide
The textile industry accounts for 10% of global CO2 emissions, matching the combined impact of international flights and shipping. It generates around 17 billion tons of CO2 annually, making it one of the world’s largest polluters. Beyond carbon, the industry is responsible for approximately 20% of global water pollution, damaging and devastating aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
Main Contributor to Microplastics
Nearly 10% of microplastics in water come from textiles, with synthetic clothing contributing 35% of all microplastic pollution. This is significantly more than cosmetics (2%) or urban dust (24%). These microplastics enter our food chain and remain in our environment for centuries.
Bad Working Conditions & Exploitation of Female Workers
Fast fashion is fundamentally a feminist issue. Approximately 80% of garment workers are young women between 18-24 years old, most earning less than $3 per day. It takes these workers 18 months to earn what a fast fashion CEO makes during lunch. While the workforce is predominantly female, management positions are male-dominated, creating power imbalances that make it difficult for women to report abuse. Workers often face physical, mental, or sexual harm as disciplinary measures, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation.
The Need for a Circular Economy
Making the circular economy mainstream will be crucial in achieving climate neutrality by 2050. We must decouple economic growth from resource use, transforming how clothes are designed, produced, and consumed to address these interconnected environmental and social challenges. By buying second-hand items you increase a product’s lifecycle and limit the amount of new products having to be produced. Tools like Faircado also make second-hand shopping easier than it’s ever been. In the Faircado app (available for Android or iOS) or browser-extension products from all of Europe’s biggest second-hand marketplaces are accumulated to always find the best deal across platforms.
Can Fashion Be Sustainable?
Shopping second-hand will always be the most sustainable way of buying items. However, there is a sustainable fashion industry on the market. Sustainable fashion is fostering a fashion industry that takes a long-term approach to the design, manufacturing, and consumption of clothes and accessories. Because it would require a lot of personal research to understand how a brand operates, websites like Good On You give you a comprehensive overview and ranking of a brand’s sustainability score. So, when buying something new sustainable fashion is indeed always the better choice. It is important because, at its core, it aims to respect people and the environment all along the fashion supply chain. It aims to meet today’s needs, as well as for future generations.
Six Solutions to Fight Fast Fashion and Reduce Consumption
Whether you choose to shop less, choose better options or try out second-hand, here are seven solutions that can help you fight fast fashion:
Shop from Sustainable & Ethical Fashion Brands
Paying attention to where you shop is one of the best ways to ensure your clothing choices are not harming the environment. Doing your research and supporting ethical and sustainable brands helps ensure that your carbon footprint is low, and promotes fair working practices for the people behind your clothes.
Buy Less Often & Buy High Quality
“To be happy, you need to have the newest styles in your closet.” This is what fast-fashion retailers have convinced us to believe, but it is time to think differently. Fast fashion items are usually crafted from cheap materials that break easily, a tactic that keeps us buying for more. To fight this fast fashion problem, choose better alternatives that are of higher quality from brands that care about extending the life of your clothes.
Donate or Sell Gently Used Clothing
When you have outgrown your favourite pair of jeans, or maybe moved away from a cold climate and have more sweaters than you need, you can give your clothes a chance for a second life. The first option is to sell your gently used clothing. Participate in your local flea market or sell them through online platforms. Not only are you giving your clothes a second life, but you are also making money on the side! The second choice is to donate them. Drop them at a local charity or a thrift store accepting used clothing. Just make sure that they are washed and in good condition before you sell or donate them.
Host a Clothing Swap
Another way of extending the life of your clothes is holding or attending a clothing swap. Clothing swaps can be a great way to get access to new clothes without putting in the money or effort it takes to buy new items.
Consider Second-Hand
If you enjoy shopping often to refresh your wardrobe, we suggest you try second-hand clothes since it has countless benefits for the planet and your wallet. Thrift stores or second-hand online markets like Faircado offer unique and vintage styles at prices that are more affordable than buying new ones. These stores also make it easy for consumers to take a stand against overproduction and lower their carbon footprints.
Repurpose Old Clothing
Make new things from very old or damaged garments. Take the matter into your own hands and create something new through repurposing. For example, you can use old t-shirts as cleaning cloths, thus reducing your need for paper towels. Or you can also try making stuffed animals or dolls from items you already have at home.
Conclusion
As consumers, we have the power to drive change through our purchasing decisions. This means we can demand transparency, sustainability, and ethical practices from clothing brands. The path forward requires a transformation of the fashion ecosystem—from design and production to consumption and disposal—with circular economy principles at its core. By supporting second-hand, choosing quality over quantity, and amplifying the voices of exploited workers, we take action to reshape an industry that currently prioritises profit over people and the planet. The true cost of that $5 t-shirt is far higher than its price tag suggests, and it’s time we acknowledge this.
Key Takeaways
- Economic Power: The top 10 European fashion retailers generate 79.3 billion Euros annually, equivalent to the value of Rome’s Colosseum. 💰
- Environmental Impact: The fashion industry produces 92 million tons of textile waste yearly and contributes 10% of global CO2 emissions. 🌍
- Water Pollution: Around 20% of global water pollution comes from textile manufacturing. 🌊
- Microplastics: Synthetic clothing contributes 35% of microplastic pollution in water systems. 🍼
- Women’s Exploitation: 80% of garment workers are young women earning less than $3 daily, facing gender-based power imbalances and abuse. 👧🏻
- Solutions Needed: Transitioning to a circular economy is essential for achieving climate goals and addressing the industry’s social and environmental harms. ♻️
- Consumer Action: Individual purchasing choices can drive industry-wide change toward more sustainable and ethical practices. 💪🏼
- Second-Hand: Buying what’s already out there is always the most sustainable choice. Tools like Faircado make it easier than ever to find the best second-hand deals across platforms. 💚
