Avoiding Fast Fashion: How to Get a More Sustainable Wardrobe - Part 1

Guest Blog originally from Porch.com by Adriana Lopez

Buying stylish clothes at an affordable price is appealing to most consumers, but it can have negative impacts on our environment. Known as fast fashion, this industry offers low prices on clothing, but it comes at a hidden cost. Thanks to a rise in the human population and the increasing popularity of fashion-related social media content, people often think they need more clothes than they really do. In fact, humans are consuming a whopping 400% more clothing today than they were 20 years ago. Behind the automotive and technology industries, clothing is the third biggest manufacturing industry in the world. However, fashion manufacturers are responsible for five percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, producing 1.2 billion tons of CO2 per year. If you want to learn how to avoid fast fashion by buying more sustainable clothing, read on to learn more.

What is Fast Fashion?

The term fast fashion refers to a highly profitable industry that mass produces clothing, shoes, and accessories based on the latest trends. This clothing is available at a low cost, but most products aren’t exactly made of the highest quality. Since trends come and go, most people who buy fast fashion items wear them short-term, then dispose of them. In many ways, it has dangerous repercussions on the environment.

The effects of Fast Fashion on the environment: Because this clothing is made at large manufacturing plants, it uses a massive amount of energy and natural resources. Some chemicals used in dyes and manufacturing can contaminate the soil and nearby waterways. As a whole, the industry produces a tenth of the world’s total carbon emissions. Producing items like jeans requires several thousand gallons of water, making it a wasteful industry as well. And, since this clothing is “disposable,” most fast fashion items end up in a landfill which contributes to pollution. On average, each American throws away approximately 80 pounds of clothing every year. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to reduce your consumption and carbon footprint.

 

What is Ethical and Sustainable Fashion?

Ethical and sustainable fashion uses materials that are made and marketed in a responsible way that takes its environmental and socioeconomic impacts into account. Ideally, the process of sustainable fashion is performed across a garment’s entire life cycle from the manufacturing process all the way to its disposal. In addition to having a smaller carbon footprint, this type of fashion pays attention to the ethical aspects too. People who work for these companies are paid a living wage and work in safe environments. Here are some examples of sustainable and ethical fashion.

Slow Fashion: Think of slow fashion as the exact opposite of fast fashion. Brands have an understanding and approach to fashion that takes the manufacturing process and resources it requires into consideration when making clothing. This industry holds a high value on the fair treatment of people, animals, and the environment. Many brands also focus on making fewer pieces and higher-quality items, so they last longer and don’t end up in a landfill.

Vegan Fashion: Vegan fashion produces clothing and accessories without the use of animal-derived materials. Anything from leather and fur to silk, feathers, wool, and angora are avoided. Eco-friendly and recyclable materials are often used to make vegan fashion. When buying vegan fashion products, make sure that they are still produced in a sustainable manner.

Circular Fashion: In the circular fashion industry, materials and production are well thought out, and the company looks deeper at how each item can be used in a more sustainable way from manufacturing to disposal. It also takes things a step further by designing out waste and pollution by using recyclable or biodegradable materials. Some companies also make repurposed items out of old products, ensuring that these items remain in the life cycle of clothing rather than going to a landfill.

 

Learn how you can make a change towards sustainable fashion next month in Part 2!