The Effects of Fast Fashion Pollution and Ways to Choose Sustainable Fashion

Have you noticed how our culture seems to have this obsession with excessive consumption, especially when it comes to fashion and accessories? The effects of fast fashion pollution on our planet is quite alarming. According to earth.org, a whopping 100 billion garments are produced each year, and a staggering 92 million tonnes of them end up in landfills. And that's not even taking into account the clothes we donate, which don't always have a happy sustainable ending of being reused and recycled. While this may sound very grim, there's lots you can do to make more sustainable fashion choices and never lose your style.

Women searching through clothes at the Atacama Desert, Chile (AFP Photo)

Take a moment to consider what happens to all the clothes that don't get sold or we throw out. It might surprise you to learn the harmful impact fashion pollution has on our planet. Unfortunately, it's not a pretty sight, but it's important to understand so we can make positive changes for the environment.

How Fast Fashion Fuels Our Throw-Away Culture

The rise of fast fashion has revolutionized the way clothes are produced and sold. Fast fashion companies like Zara, Shein, Fashion Nova, and even Amazon Fashion pump out millions of new trendy inexpensive styles weekly. Although this may seem like a good deal to consumers, there's a big downside. Fast fashion is made from cheap materials that wear out quickly and are quickly replaced by new styles. This has created a culture of throw-away fashion that's harmful to the environment. People buy more clothes than they need to keep up with trends, and this has led to a decline in the number of times each garment is worn before being thrown away. According to earth.org, the average lifespan of a garment has decreased by more than 35% in just 15 years, with many items only being worn seven to ten times before being discarded.

Fast Fashion at discount pricing

The devastating environmental footprint of fast fashion pollution

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the fashion industry is the second largest consumer of water and a big contributor to water pollution. Even washing clothes releases 500,000 tons of microfibres into the ocean each year, the equivalent of 50 billion plastic bottles. The fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions, that's as much as the European Union, making it one of the largest polluters in the world. Additionally, discarded clothes, whether they are new or second-hand, that are not sold are usually disposed of in landfills. These mountains of discarded clothes take hundreds of years to decompose due to the synthetic fibers and chemicals used in their production, which leads to further pollution of our soils and water.

Does donating clothes have a positive or negative impact on the environment?

Have you ever cleaned out your closet, excited to donate your old clothes to a thrift store or charity, only to find out that your good intentions may actually be causing more harm than good? Unfortunately, the surplus of donated clothes can lead to overflowing thrift stores. Plus, the excess clothes are often shipped off to poorer countries, creating environmental pollution and devastating local economies.

When it comes to donated clothes, the key is to be mindful about what you donate and where you donate it. Donating good quality items that won't end up in a landfill due to their poor construction is the goal — these are items that can be reused and recycled. Additionally, try looking for local outlets or charities that sell gently used clothing as this will reduce shipping costs (and thus reduce pollution) while also helping those in need.

Another great option to reduce clothing waste is to organize a clothing swap with your friends or community members. This is a great way to repurpose children's clothes and shoes that no longer fit by giving them to another family. Plus It's a fun and eco-friendly way to find new treasures while ensuring your clothes go to a good home instead of the landfill.

Toronto Textile Recycling buys donated clothing, and employees sort and grade each piece before the clothes are sold around the world (Photograph by Christie Vuong)

How to choose sustainable fashion to reduce clothing waste and be a part of the solution

1. The Art of Recycling, Upcycling, and Repurposing Clothes"

The growing trend of sustainability and waste reduction is inspiring people to breathe new life into their garments by recycling, upcycling, or repurposing them. So what does that really mean? Rather than getting rid of clothes, think of creative ways they can be transformed into stylish new pieces or reimagined for a new purpose altogether. A quick Google search on this topic can give you tons of inspiration and ideas. This approach not only reduces waste but also allows you to infuse your wardrobe with a unique and personal flair. So, don't throw out your old clothes just yet - they might have a stylish new life waiting for them!

2. Chose Quality over quantity

One way to reduce clothing waste is to choose quality over quantity when purchasing clothing items. Instead of buying cheap, synthetic clothes that fall apart quickly, opt for well-made, timeless pieces that will last for years. Additionally, try to buy from sustainable fashion brands that are making conscientious efforts to reduce their environmental footprint and use natural materials over cheap toxic materials. This helps support a more conscious and sustainable system and encourages others in the industry to do the same.

3. Buy less stuff

We all have an opportunity to make a difference by shifting our consumption habits. Be mindful of what you purchase and how often you are purchasing. Ask yourself, do I really need this? Buy only what you need, and avoid impulse purchases. This will help reduce the amount of clothes that are discarded and end up in landfills.

Ultimately, the problem of fashion pollution is not one to be solved overnight, but it’s worth looking into solutions that can help in the long run. Every small addition we make towards encouraging ethical fashion practices and reducing textile waste will eventually contribute to a larger solution! Let's choose moral values over trends today and start becoming conscious consumers!