Meghan Hodges
The fast fashion industry has been booming, but its success comes at a cost. Fast fashion has a massive environmental impact, contributing to the climate crisis and causing pollution, waste, and emissions. It is the second-biggest consumer of water, and responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. The industry also uses synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon and acrylic, which take hundreds of years to biodegrade, and releases harmful chemicals into freshwater rivers. With the number of new garments made per year nearly doubling over the past two decades, and global consumption of fashion increasing by 400%, the environmental and social cost of the industry is becoming increasingly evident.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbon emissions | 10% of global carbon emissions |
| Water usage | 10,000 liters of water for 1kg of cotton or 3,000 liters for a shirt |
| Wastewater pollution | 20% of industrial wastewater pollution worldwide |
| Textile dyeing | 36% of global pollution impacts |
| Yarn preparation | 28% of global pollution impacts |
| Fibre production | 15% of global pollution impacts |
| Microplastics in oceans | 35% of microplastics in oceans come from laundering synthetic textiles |
| Hazardous chemicals | Use of pesticides and toxic dyes |
| Landfills | 57% of discarded clothing ends up in landfills |
| Incineration | Burning landfill releases toxic substances and gases |
| Worker exploitation | Hazardous working conditions, low wages |
| Environmental degradation | Land degradation, water pollution, air pollution |
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What You'll Learn
- The fast fashion industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions
- Textile dyeing and finishing processes pollute freshwater rivers and streams
- Synthetic fabrics used in fast fashion are a significant source of plastic pollution
- Fast fashion exploits workers in low-income countries with poor working conditions
- The industry's waste and incineration harm wildlife, degrade land and pollute soil and water
The fast fashion industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions
The fast fashion industry's carbon footprint is largely driven by its energy-intensive manufacturing processes, which rely heavily on fossil fuels. The production of synthetic fibres, which account for a significant portion of the industry's output, is particularly harmful. The use of fossil fuels in fibre production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Textile dyeing is another major contributor to the industry's carbon emissions. This process requires large amounts of energy and toxic chemicals, which are often released into the environment untreated. Approximately 20% of global wastewater pollution can be attributed to textile dyeing, and the resulting water pollution has devastating impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
The fast fashion industry's reliance on cheap labour in developing countries also contributes to its carbon footprint. The industry has been criticised for exploiting workers, subjecting them to hazardous working conditions and paying them unlivable wages. The social impact of the industry on these communities cannot be overlooked, and there are also environmental implications. Developing nations often have less stringent environmental regulations, allowing for the release of untreated wastewater and air pollution from factories.
The fast fashion industry's contribution to global carbon emissions is significant, and the problem is only expected to worsen without intervention. There is a growing need for the industry to transition to more sustainable practices, reduce waste, and address the social and environmental impacts of its manufacturing processes.
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Textile dyeing and finishing processes pollute freshwater rivers and streams
The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry, contributing to 20% of global wastewater. Textile dyeing and finishing processes are a significant contributor to water pollution, responsible for over 20% of global industrial water pollution. This is due to the toxic and hazardous chemicals used in these processes, which are then released into freshwater rivers and streams.
The dyeing process releases colourants and harmful chemicals into wastewater when untreated. This includes chemicals such as oil, phenol, pesticides, heavy metals, copper, mercury, chromium, lead, arsenic, benzene, and other pollutants. These toxic chemicals can have a devastating impact on aquatic life and ecosystems, as well as contaminating food sources. For example, in Kanpur, India, there are over 400 tanneries dumping toxic chromium into the water supply, which has been found in cow's milk and agricultural products.
The wet processing stage of textile production is very water-intensive and contaminates surrounding water bodies. It involves the application of a large number of chemicals and dyes, with an average of 8000 different synthetic chemicals used to turn raw materials into finished products. This excess water is often dumped into local waterways, polluting freshwater rivers and streams.
The production of synthetic textiles, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, is a major contributor to water pollution. The wastewater from this production releases arsenic, benzene, lead, and other toxic waste into water sources. These synthetic materials also create microfibers when they break down, which can easily spread across water bodies and pollute rivers and oceans.
To reduce the impact of the textile industry on freshwater rivers and streams, sustainable materials such as organic hemp and linen can be used. These materials are biodegradable and can reduce the amount of water and chemical usage in the manufacturing process. Additionally, companies can invest in water treatment and create dye fixants that allow for the reuse of wastewater.
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Synthetic fabrics used in fast fashion are a significant source of plastic pollution
The fast fashion industry is a major contributor to the plastic pollution crisis. Synthetic fabrics, which are commonly used in fast fashion, are a significant source of this pollution. Synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic are favoured by the fast-fashion industry for their durability, affordability, and flexibility. However, these fabrics are derived from plastic and have a detrimental impact on the environment.
The production of synthetic fabrics is energy-intensive and relies on petrochemicals, leading to significant carbon emissions. The carbon emissions from the fashion industry are expected to increase by 50% in the next decade if no changes are made. Furthermore, the use of synthetic fabrics in fast fashion contributes to the growing plastic pollution crisis. These non-biodegradable materials can take hundreds of years to break down in landfills, leading to the accumulation of synthetic clothing waste worldwide.
The issue of plastic pollution is not just limited to landfills. Washing synthetic clothing releases microplastics into the oceans, harming marine life and ecosystems. Laundry alone causes the release of approximately half a million tonnes of plastic microfibres into the ocean each year. These microplastics are ingested by marine animals, leading to blockages, malnutrition, and even death. Additionally, microplastics introduce harmful chemicals into the food chain, which may have consequences for human health.
The persistence of synthetic fabrics in the environment has led to their widespread presence in water sources. Researchers at the University of Galway found plastic particles, or microplastics, in water samples analysed under a microscope. The fashion industry's use of synthetic materials has resulted in plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and streams. As a result, there is a growing need for the industry to transition to more sustainable fabrics and methods to reduce plastic microfibre release into the environment.
To address the environmental impact of synthetic fabrics, consumers are encouraged to be mindful of their purchases and washing practices. Buying second-hand or recycled clothing can reduce the demand for new synthetic garments. Additionally, consumers can support brands that use eco-friendly materials and packaging. When washing synthetic clothing, consumers can reduce the release of microplastics by using specialised filters or washing machine settings designed to capture these fibres.
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Fast fashion exploits workers in low-income countries with poor working conditions
Fast fashion is a dominant business model that sells large quantities of clothing at cheap prices, causing garment consumption to skyrocket. This is achieved by outsourcing production to low-income countries with lower labour costs and less stringent regulations. The environmental impact of the fast fashion industry is well-documented, but it is also important to consider the human cost, particularly the exploitation of workers in low-income countries with poor working conditions.
The fast fashion industry employs approximately 75 million factory workers worldwide, the majority of whom are female. Of these workers, it is estimated that less than 2% earn a living wage, with many living below the poverty line. In Asia, the European Parliament has described the working conditions of factory workers as "slave labour". In addition to low wages, workers in low-income countries often face extreme hours, unsafe and violent conditions, and hazardous working conditions. For example, workers in Bangladesh have been reported to work up to 16 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The health of labourers is adversely affected by poor working conditions, with factory workers regularly exposed to and breathing in toxic chemicals. The production of fast fashion clothing employs the use of 8,000 synthetic chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer. Structural dangers are also prevalent, as demonstrated by the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which killed 1,134 people and injured 2,500 more. Despite incidents like this, safety standards for workers in low-income countries have not significantly improved.
The globalisation of supply chains has led to the exploitation of workers in low-income countries, with big brands treating them like mere commodities. Workers' rights violations are commonplace, and women in particular face many obstacles in escaping poverty. The fast fashion industry has delivered rock-bottom wages, extreme hours, and unsafe conditions to the most vulnerable inhabitants of low-income countries.
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The industry's waste and incineration harm wildlife, degrade land and pollute soil and water
The fast fashion industry has a significant impact on the environment. It is the second-largest consumer of water, with the fashion industry consuming one-tenth of all water used industrially. Textile dyeing is the world's second-largest polluter of water, with 20% of wastewater attributed to this process. The wastewater created is extremely toxic and often ends up in oceans, rivers, and streams, polluting freshwater sources.
The use of synthetic materials, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, is a major contributor to plastic microfibers entering our oceans. These synthetic fibres are made from plastic and are non-biodegradable, leading to plastic pollution. Washing synthetic clothes is a significant cause of microplastics entering waterways, as they escape filters and end up in rivers and oceans, harming aquatic life.
The production of clothing also impacts wildlife and land. Animal-based textiles, such as wool, are responsible for water pollution, habitat loss, and other harms to wildlife. Cotton farming, for example, uses pesticides that harm soil health and kill beneficial insects, leading to soil degradation. It can also result in water scarcity, as seen in the case of the Aral Sea drying up due to unsustainable cotton farming.
The incineration and disposal of fast fashion clothing further contribute to environmental issues. The burning of discarded clothing in landfills releases toxic substances and poisonous gases, posing health and environmental dangers to nearby communities. The poor quality of fast fashion items leads to limited lifespans, with many ending up in landfills or being incinerated, contributing to air pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
The fashion industry is the second-biggest consumer of water, using about 700 gallons to produce one cotton shirt and 2,000-3,000 gallons of water to produce a pair of jeans. It consumes one-tenth of all the water used industrially.
The fast fashion industry pollutes water through the use of toxic chemicals and textile dyeing discharge, which are dumped into ditches, streams, or rivers. It is also a significant contributor to microplastics in the ocean, with plastic fibres polluting the oceans and wastewater.
Fast fashion contributes to air pollution through the emission of greenhouse gases and pollutants. It is responsible for as much as 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions, which is more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
