What are the environmental impacts of fast fashion?

No doubt, Global Fashion Industry is using water at high intensity as the processing of the fabric through different processes like Dying, Printing etc are water intensive. We must look at the water footprint of the garments and fashion sector.

Dry dyeing is now a proven and viable alternative for polyester and other her synthetic fabrics. It uses liquefied carbon dioxide which is reusable multiple times dramatically reducing the environmental impact associated with water use and toxic polluting.

Fast fashion refers to the rapid production of vast quantities of clothing and accessories at a pace that is environmentally unsustainable. This process is characterized by aggressive marketing strategies that promote extremely low prices. To achieve these low prices while maintaining profitability, manufacturers often resort to using synthetic materials and engage in subpar labor practices to minimize production costs. As a result, the market becomes flooded with garments that barely last a season, fostering a disposable culture among consumers who are continuously enticed by new, inexpensive items. The impact of fast fashion extends beyond environmental concerns like water consumption; it also encompasses the ethical treatment of workers.

Fast fashion has significant environmental impacts that cannot be ignored. The production of fast fashion involves the intensive use of resources, such as water and energy, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, fast fashion relies on the heavy use of chemicals in dyeing and treating fabrics, which contribute to water pollution and soil degradation.

20% of global industrial water pollution is caused by garment manufacturing. The dyeing process is extremely water and chemical intensive. Depending on the fabric, the intensity of the effluent changes. Over 50% of fast fashion uses Polyester fabrics. Dyeing of polyester fabric needs heat and it is energy intensive. Due to the nature of the textiles, a lot of the dye gets washed off. And in developing countries due to lack of governance and strict rules, many factories do not treat their effluents, which ultimately gets into the waterbodies causing water pollution. The polyester does not stop harming there. It continues with the usage and disposal. That is why it is important to choose consciously when we shop.

The average U.S consumer discards 81 pounds of clothing annually. America solely produces almost 11 million tons of apparel waste. And only 15% of textile global waste theoretically recycled. To reduce such frightening numbers, we have to adopt a holistic approach to move away from fast fashion.

The complex blend of materials in fast fashion items makes recycling difficult. In a circular economy workshop, we discussed the challenges in recycling blended fabrics, which are common in fast fashion. While not strictly environmental, the health impacts on workers due to exposure to toxic chemicals in fast fashion production are a related concern. Through a social responsibility audit at a garment factory, I observed workers being exposed to hazardous substances. Fast fashion contributes to the depletion of natural resources. In an environmental impact report I authored, I noted how the industry's high demand for materials like cotton and polyester places pressure on resources, leading to unsustainable extraction rates.

Viscose is considered as a cheaper alternative to cotton for production. Viscose, also known as rayon, is a common cellulosic fiber made from wood pulp. It has extremely detrimental effects on the environment such as the usage of harmful chemicals and the unethical resourcing for the material. As the companies use toxic chemicals, others are concerned about other impacts beyond environmental factors.

Chemical Pollution The use of synthetic materials and dyes in fast fashion production contributes to chemical pollution. Harmful chemicals from dyeing processes can contaminate water sources, affecting aquatic ecosystems and potentially harming human health.