The Real Cost Of Fast Fashion
Fast fashion is one of the biggest issues consumers face. The term stems from the quick production of clothing but it represents much more than that.
People are now buying at a faster rate than ever before, with trends changing multiple times within a season. This results in a higher demand for clothing, and a heightened amount of waste produced.
Last year over two million tons of clothes went to landfill - and that figure is only expected to rise unless we as consumers change our behaviours.
Fast fashion is responsible for 2.1 million tons of CO2 every year. It is the second-largest producer of CO2 for consumption purposes after the food industry. It is also responsible for using vital resources such as land and water in deprived countries.
2 trillion tons of water is used in the fashion industry each year, and 2.5% of the world's farmland is reserved for cotton!
Synthetic materials are one of the biggest issues in the fast fashion industry, not only do they require an estimated 342 million barrels of oil, but they also take up to 700 years to break down – meaning every single piece of synthetic fabric that’s ever been made is still existing somewhere in the world.
It is also one of the most dangerous industries for people to work in, fast fashion takes advantage of 170 million children – most of whom are working in unsafe. 11% of the world's children work in fast fashion factories, sewing, dying, or collecting materials that are often coated in toxic chemicals. On top of this, they are made to work long hours and only receive 2p (3 cents) per item of clothing.
There are many ways you can help end this suffering.
One of the best ways you can help is to stop buying new clothes – or when you do buy clothes ensuring they are from a sustainable, slow fashion brand.
Another alternative is to buy second-hand. There are charity shops all over Nottingham that stock a wide range of sizes and styles. They are also a lot cheaper than fast fashion clothes, saving the world, and some money. It’s a no-brainer.
If you are struggling to find the perfect thrifted clothing from your local charity shop there is also a wide range of online second-hand retailers which are easy to filter, and quicker to find your perfect one.
One way to prolong the lifespan of your clothing is to mend them. This also gives you the perfect opportunity to personalise your clothing, making them unique to your style.
We recently held workshops that focused on mending clothes and upcycling items that no longer bring you joy. More community events like this are happening throughout the year so make sure you’re checking the events page!