Fast Fashion And Its Even Faster Impacts On Climate Change

Fast Fashion: What Are Its Effects?

Fashion, as we know it, has always embodied glamour, allure, and excitement. Whenever you think of fashion, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Some may think of frilly dresses, while others may envision leather jackets or a silky gown. But does this glam come at a cost? If so, what’s the cost that has to be paid to bring this billion-dollar industry to fruition? Or rather, WHO has to pay that cost?

To understand this, we need to study the life of a garment worker in Bangladesh, the country that is the second-largest exporter of textiles and garments.

The Life of a Garment Worker

Parul Begum is a garment worker who works in one of the millions of clothing factories in Bangladesh: APlus clothing factory, situated in the district of Dhaka. Her journey began when she moved to Dhaka at 14 to inquire about work, and she has been working at Aplus Clothing Textiles ever since.

The employees work in lanes of 100 stations, with 19 lanes per floor. Workers often face unsanitary conditions. The air is dusty with lint, and they have to wear masks. For Parul, an average workday consists of 12 hours of grueling tasks. She stitches, irons, and packages shirts.

For any average 9-5 worker, this would sound like the epitome of anguish and suffering. But for her, it is just another day of her life. Parul is not alone; she is one of the other 2000 workers who toil day and night at this factory, just to barely make ends meet.

Exploitation in the Fashion Industry

Has the fashion industry always exploited its workers to satisfy the needs of its consumers? And how does this affect the environment? Let us delve into the very first signs of the emergence of fashion: the rise of fossil fuels in the early 1800s.

The History of Fashion: A Facade for Capitalist Greed?

As industrialization bloomed in England in the second half of the eighteenth century, it marked the uprising of oils, coals, and fossil fuels. Clothes and cotton goods could now be produced on a larger scale due to advancements in machinery. Since these factories also needed a basis of advertisement to sell their products and attract as many customers as possible for maximum profit, fashion turned into a commodity. It was no longer just a piece of clothing to protect your body from the sun; it represented your status, wealth, economic conditions, and political stance.

Due to this value being pushed on clothing, it ultimately led to a large number of people buying it. However, the invention of these machines did not lead to a boom in clothing production—it was capitalists who facilitated the movement.

During the late 1700s to the early 1800s, former English peasants working on farms were forced out of the countryside. They had to search for employment opportunities at the outskirts of the city. This sudden change left them landless and penniless, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Eventually, they had no choice but to work at these factories and textile mills, which epitomized capitalist exploitation.

These factory workers took advantage of the peasants' situation and bound them to work for long hours on meager wages. Young girls who worked in those factories often worked 15-18 hours on end. They frequently lost fingers in machinery or developed fatal health conditions. They soon had to adapt to working 100 hours a week and surviving on sparse wages, while employers hoarded all the profits for themselves. This led to serious environmental hazards, making fast fashion the second-largest polluter in the world after oil and gas.

These capitalists were well aware that hiring more workers for lesser wages would significantly fuel their profits, especially at a time when fashion was commercialized and sold as a status symbol. The key strategy for this advertisement was not to promote the garment itself, but to sell a vision of what one could be if they owned the product. This strategy was quite effective. Unaware of the mistreatment of textile workers, the public fell into the trap of consumerism. That was simply the start of the endless journey of fast fashion intertwined with ever-changing trends and waste production.

Fashion Today: Its Environmental Impact

Hiding behind the glitz and glamour of glitter, runways, and flashing lights, fashion has always proven to be an industry that thrives on exploitation, whether of the environment or its workers.

And that might lead you to wonder—if all these clothes are being replaced within a week or two, where are all these clothes going, and what is being done with them? The unfortunate reality is that these clothes end up in huge landfills, which are hazardous for the environment. In fact, 60% of the material made into clothing is plastic, including polyester, acrylic, nylon textiles, and other synthetic fibers. This makes them the largest known source of marine micro-plastic pollution, responsible for 35% of the microplastic pollution in the oceans.

Dyeing clothes also releases toxic chemicals. Waste discharge from the textile industry has polluted 70% of freshwater sources in Asia.

What Can We Do?

As you have seen, fashion, along with its advantages, comes with huge costs that are detrimental to humans and the environment. So, what can all of us, as consumers, do about this problem? Well, there are many things we can do on our end to combat fast fashion.

Extend the Wearable Lifetime of Your Clothes

Taking care of your garments can significantly extend their life. Simple practices like washing less frequently and following care instructions can make a difference.

Shop Secondhand

Consider shopping at thrift stores and online platforms. This not only saves money but also reduces the demand for new clothing production.

Look for Sustainable Brands

Support brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Research their production methods and materials.

Donate or Sell Unwanted Clothes

Keep your unwanted clothes out of landfills by donating or selling them. This extends their lifecycle and helps others.

Limit Exposure to Fast Fashion Marketing

Unfollow fast fashion brands on social media and unsubscribe from their emails. Reducing exposure can help you make more mindful purchasing decisions.

Implement Mindful Washing Practices

Choose eco-friendly detergents and wash clothes in cold water. This reduces energy consumption and minimizes environmental impact.

The choice is ours. By making conscious choices as customers, we can advocate for change. Together, we can reduce the harmful effects of the fast fashion industry and create a brighter, more sustainable, and ethical future.

-Ishita Bhosale

I bought it 'cause it looked good on Tuesday,

now here it is, buried in my closet bay.

I found new ones like it's another Tuesday

and gave away the old ones in throwaway.

Fashion industry sells it like a self-expression,

but whose— their greed or my obsession?

tags still on, sleeves neatly folded,

'cause they call it "trend"

and here am I—

buying new ones like it's a Tuesday again.

Regards,

Ishita Bhosale,

Editorial and Research,

Maza Maharashtra Mission