As the seasons change so does our wardrobe. Not too long ago, styles only changed four times per year, but now it is a weekly cycle. But why is that an issue?
Fast fashion is the term used to describe the fast turnaround from runway to store to consumer. But it also means it is on a fast track to the garbage. Since clothing is a major contributor to pollution and our carbon footprint, it is something we need to know more about.
You know about stores that have “cheap” clothes. But are they cheap?
Buying $5 t-shirts has a much larger price when you factor in environmental impacts of the production of fabrics (pesticides, herbicides, fossil fuel) and water polluting dyes, plus the human impact of using unhealthy labor practices. I mean, how else can you pay $5?
We throw out about 11 million tons of used clothing each year in the US. Many believe that fast fashion has as big a footprint as air travel and oil industries.
Do a search for Fast Fashion and learn more before you go out and buy another piece of clothing that may last you through 4 washing cycles. The story is full of cancer causing ingredients and human rights issues.
What can you do?
- Buy less
- Buy sustainable
- Buy quality
- Donate
- Buy second hand
- Take care of what you have
