– Aparna Chatterjee
As the world continues to battle new diseases and collapsing ecosystems, plastic is one of the most dangerous threats. If left unchecked for a long time, this system might choke us. Fast Fashion is a rapidly growing industry. Large, profitable corporations combine with top-notch marketing teams. They direct our consumption through labor exploitation in third-world countries. This leads to the exploitation of life as we know it.
Why is Fast Fashion problematic?
Fast Fashion generates up to 92 billion tons of waste every year. Without an established disposal method, this waste has remained in landfills and oceans for millennia. Synthetic fabrics degrade even more slowly, leaving microplastics in the environment. This does not include the essential raw materials needed to produce the commodity.
The industry wastes up to 71 trillion tons of freshwater annually. Nations struggle to supply drinking water and nourish their populations. Meanwhile, industries continue to thrive on unconscious consumption. They are not held accountable for their carbon footprint.
But are we to blame?
Fashion trends change rapidly nowadays. The problem only intensifies with the power of social media. It influences the masses to buy more. It also enables the sale of goods from anywhere to anywhere. Additionally, as the quality of goods deteriorates, minimalist people consciously try to consume less. They only buy what they truly need.
The relationship between supply and demand has grown exponentially. While we fuel this harmful growth, industries do everything to capitalize on it. The fast fashion industry profits from its contribution to environmental destruction. We are complicit in this by investing our hard-earned resources in it. We are paying them to do so, consciously or unconsciously.
Are they exploiting cheap labor?
This industry relies on vulnerable labor in developing countries. This includes both major brands and lesser-known designers. As we pointed out at the beginning of this article, its clothing lines are made in developing countries in Asia. It is inexpensive. Due to lax environmental and labor laws, designers often escape the consequences of the damage they cause.
We often hear news about the working conditions in Bangladesh’s clothing industry. Big brands usually get away with paying workers pennies. Hundreds of people lose their lives making the clothes we wear. People are forced to work in hazardous conditions due to inadequate labor protection laws. You got that cute t-shirt for barely Rs. 300 because someone was paid Rs. 10 per hour for stitching it.
Is the change needed?
We can change this. Several local brands offer clothing made of natural materials. Clothes made of cotton and jute are more eco-friendly and better for the skin. You will be surprised to learn that banana leaves and bamboo are also used to create fabric.
Additionally, clothes made from such fabrics do not produce fabric balls, typically due to regular wear and frequent friction. They last long and can be used for multiple purposes later on.
Shop local!
Many major brands introduced their revolutionary ‘green’ products. Remember Levi’s jeans, which need eight plastic bottles to produce? Nike shoes helped recycle plastic. Yet, the goods were too expensive to encourage people to buy them. Speaking of jeans and shoes, these commodities consume the most water in the clothing industry. They also generate more wastewater than other products.
Some low-cost brands recycle plastic more innovatively than we think. United Blue, for example, helped recycle more than 2 million pounds of ocean waste. They produced bags and clothes at affordable prices. The vegan movement has contributed positively. The surge in demand for vegan products and brands gives us a fraction of hope.
Adidas and Parley have collaborated to contribute to the cause. They produce t-shirts and shoes using ocean plastics. HP introduced the Elite Dragonfly Laptop, the first laptop in the world made from ocean plastics. We also have 4ocean, a brand that went viral on Instagram for collecting ocean plastic and creating beautiful bracelets.
Despite these positive initiatives, the problem persists. We must continue to break the cycle. This is necessary unless we find a solution that effectively eliminates plastic waste. Why giants? Mealworms can consume toxic plastics, but can only eat to their size.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!
Reduce purchases to lower waste. Reuse old clothes to extend their life. Recycle old fabrics by making items like rugs, dusters, and napkins. These actions can make a significant difference. If your clothes are in good condition, consider donating them to someone who needs them.
Consciously consuming goods is the only practice that can instantly help us and the planet. Thrifting is another innovative way to reuse and recycle items. Branded clothes can be purchased at a low cost and are in good condition. We need to be aware of the carbon footprint generated by our daily consumption. Making efforts to further reduce it is crucial. This will help distribute the environmental impact more evenly.
In brief, these are the key ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Being vocal and supportive of local brands
- Using environment-friendly green products
- Reuse and donate old clothes
- Thrifting
- Displaying conscious consumer behavior
The Witty Stride 