According to a 2018 study by Fashion United, while there are 100 billion items of clothing produced each year, people only wear about 50% of their wardrobe. The demand for fashion fashion has grown tremendously, allowing popular brands to deliver clothing to customers in a matter of weeks from design to purchase.

Environmental Impact

The impact of fast fashion on the environment is vast and complex. Unfortunately, though the concept makes clothing more affordable and available to more of the population, it also contributes to environmental issues with the amount of carbon emissions, pollution, and waste that results from the production and distribution of clothes at this rate.

• Carbon emissions
  The production of clothing is so fast and energy-intensive that it requires an increased amount of petroleum and acids like hydrogen chloride to keep up with manufacturing. The pressure to cut corners and speed up production results in forgoing environmental measures that pollute the planet. 
• Textile waste
  According to CALPIRG, 85% of our clothes will end up in landfills or burned. It is also evident that the fashion industry overproduces products by about 30-40%, contributing to the wave of textile waste and its byproducts: microplastic pollution and global carbon emissions.
• Water
  Remarkably, it takes about 10,000 liters of water to create a single pair of jeans. Cotton is also a major culprit – and a popular textile – when it comes to water consumption in the fast fashion world; cotton requires a tremendous amount of water to grow. Additionally, the industry uses up to 93 billion cubic metres of water annually and contributes to global water-waste by dumping toxic chemicals from dyeing textiles.

What We can do

Slow Fashion

A movement that dials in on the design, production, and consumption of goods; slow fashion is about slowing down the process of purchase to delivery and is, therefore, a sustainable alternative that encourages consumers to be more conscious about their consumption (and their spending).

Shop Sustainable

One of the best ways to shop sustainably is to know where your clothes are coming from. A good starting point is to search for brands that use environmentally friendly, recycled materials and fabrics. Another green flag for sustainable brands are the ones that have certifications from third-party organizations. Many companies are already following these practices, such as Everlane, Mother of Pearl, Sheep Inc., Navygrey, and Veja.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Clothing

Another tangible method for being eco-friendly about clothing is giving away clothes that no longer serve you. Second-hand shops such as Goodwill accept gently-used or well-used clothing and give everyone the opportunity to purge your closet without throwing good garments away.

Educate Yourself and Others

One of the easiest ways to do this is sharing information about sustainable fabrics and textiles. Some of the “eco-friendly” fibers that are kinder to the environment include recycled, plant-based, animal-based, and semi-synthetic. Knowing the basics about materials and where they come from can aid in making more sustainable decisions when it comes to shopping.

Companies have an opportunity to partner strategically with their suppliers, source sustainable fabrics and textiles, educate leadership, hire people who can make sustainability a primary concern (chief sustainability officers), and make corporate commitments to reduce waste. Fortunately, in 2025, secondhand and pre-owned clothes are expected to encompass 10% of global sales. This could help transform the fashion industry and orchestrate the move from fast fashion to slow and sustainable fashion.

Source:
Can Fast Fashion Be More Sustainable in 2025? by Rachel Yalof | earth.org (Feb. 2025)

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