Fast fashion is destroying the planet

Fast fashion is predicted to be a $291 billion industry by 2032, but it’s actively destroying the planet (uniform market). Fast fashion is classified as cheap clothing that is mass-produced according to the latest trends. With new trends emerging all the time, companies are putting a lot of effort into providing their customers with the latest fashion. Trends may lead you to buy things, but you need to stay away from fast fashion.

Due to the demands of current trends, garment workers are overworked and underpaid. That being said, this work can lead to disaster, as has already been proven by the foundation that created National Earth Day.. According to an Earth Day article: “In April 2013, buildings housing five garment factories collapsed in Bangladesh, killing 1,132 people and injuring more than 2,500. Garment workers continue to be exposed to life-threatening working conditions for low wages of just $3.43 a day.” (Earth Day) Fast fashion workers shouldn’t have to risk their lives on the job while being paid unaffordable wages.

Fast fashion clothing is trendy and cheap, but customers need to understand the implications of purchasing fast fashion items. There are some fast fashion companies that people try to stay away from, but since many people don’t know how many companies are out there, there’s a good chance that their replacement companies are also probably fast fashion as well. Fast fashion is having a negative impact on governments every day, raising questions about what the future holds. Looking to the future, many aspects caused by fast fashion are predicted to worsen as people continue to purchase items.

Another major issue with fast fashion, which is more recognized, is its environmental impact. Every year, 150 million trees are cut down to make clothing, and landfills are filled with 40 million tons of discarded clothing each year (earth day). Fast fashion clothing is cheaply made and therefore of low quality, causing more clothing to end up in landfills than high-quality clothing. There are other aspects of the damage done to the world, such as water. Clothing containing low-quality materials accounts for 35% of all ocean microplastics, and the fast fashion industry accounts for 20% of all industrial wastewater (Earth Day). This further increases the negative effects of buying fast fashion and highlights the importance of not buying these brands.

With “micro-trends” popping up on social media multiple times a month, people are easily influenced and buy clothes accordingly. This process discards many items, especially clothing, and causes significant damage to the environment. By cycling clothes depending on the season, the demand for trendy clothes increases in preparation for the next season. Buying from fast fashion companies creates more waste in most people’s closets, wastes money and materials, and makes fast fashion not worth buying.

It’s easy to fall prey to the influence of fast fashion, and as I’ve experienced many times myself, it’s important to stay away from big brands known for cheap and trendy products, as these companies gradually cause significant damage to the planet. Fast fashion has rapidly emerged as a major issue in recent years, with huge impacts on the environment and garment workers. The next time you’re tempted to buy from a fast fashion company, think about whether it will be used appropriately and ask yourself if it’s a necessary purchase.