Have you ever wondered what happens to that five-dollar t-shirt after you’re done with it?
Fast fashion clothing often ends up being thrown out, contributing to pollution through decomposition. The journey of these cheap, trendy clothes doesn’t stop when you discard them. They go on to harm the environment in ways that may surprise you. Fast fashion refers to low-quality, trendy clothing that is mass-produced in a short time. Once these items go out of style, they are discarded, contributing to environmental damage. The primary drivers of fast fashion are affordability and convenience, making it easy for consumers to keep up with ever-changing trends without breaking the bank.
Until the early 1800s, most people made their clothes using natural fibers like wool. They either raised sheep for wool or saved money to buy materials to spin yarn, weave cloth, and hand-sew garments. The development of the sewing machine in 1830, during the Industrial Revolution, marked a turning point in the fashion industry. French tailor Barthelemy Thimonnier, invented a machine that used a hooked needle and one thread to create chain stitches, a technique primarily used for jeans today, according to the Joint Economic Commission.
In the 1970s, retailers began outsourcing production to countries in Asia where labor was cheaper than in Western nations. This global shift helped fuel the rise of fast fashion. The 1990s saw rapid expansion, with companies scaling up production to keep pace with the ever-growing demand for fast, inexpensive fashion.
Fast fashion affects both consumers and workers. On the one hand, it provides affordable, trendy clothing, allowing lower-income individuals to access new styles at low prices.
According to Vogue, companies like Shein, H&M, and Zara make billions by producing trendy clothes at low prices. However, this model depends on quick production cycles and cheap labor in developing countries. These countries often rely on textile manufacturing as a key source of income, yet exploiting workers remains a serious concern. Fast fashion companies often exploit workers by paying them very low wages and subjecting them to poor working conditions in unsafe factories. While this industry creates jobs and boosts the economy, it has faced widespread criticism for its unethical practices.
The demand for affordable fashion continues to drive this model of exploitation despite growing awareness among consumers.
The demand for inexpensive clothes continues to outpace ethical practices, but some companies are shifting toward more sustainable approaches. As awareness of labor conditions increases, these companies are starting to incorporate sustainable practices into their production.
According to Ocean Generation, “100 billion items of clothing are produced every year. That’s a 50 percent growth in just 15 years.” That translates to an astounding 19,230,769 items of clothing produced every week and 273,972,602 items produced each day. This rapid production is contributing to some of the world’s most pressing environmental problems.
Fast fashion accounts for 30 percent of the world’s pollution, with 10 percent of global carbon emissions and 20 percent of wastewater pollution. The industry is a major consumer of water. Dyeing and finishing textiles require large amounts of water, which is often polluted with harmful chemicals that are released into waterways. It takes 2,700 liters of water to produce just one t-shirt, and the overconsumption of water is a significant contributor to the environmental strain.
Most clothing is made from synthetic fibers like polyester, which shed microplastic fibers during washing. A single load of laundry with polyester clothes can release up to 700,000 microplastic fibers, contributing to pollution in oceans and ecosystems. A large amount of clothing ends up in landfills and oceans, further worsening the pollution problem.
As the fashion industry continues to churn out massive quantities of clothing, it leaves behind a trail of waste that is harming the environment. As consumers become more aware of the environmental and social impacts of their clothing choices, the demand for sustainable and ethical fashion is growing.
More people are seeking out brands that prioritize sustainability, eco-friendly materials, and ethical labor practices. The industry is evolving with innovations such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and plant-based alternatives. Thrifting and secondhand fashion are also gaining popularity. By buying secondhand clothing, consumers reduce the demand for new products and give existing garments a second life.
Eco-fashion shows are helping to raise awareness by showcasing designs made from sustainable materials and promoting environmentally friendly practices.
The growing interest in sustainable fashion is slowly but surely challenging the dominance of fast fashion.
Fast fashion has had a profound impact on both our economy and the environment. While it has made trendy clothing affordable and accessible to many, it has also contributed significantly to environmental pollution, exploitation of workers, and unsustainable resource use. As more consumers demand change, the rise of sustainable fashion provides hope for a more ethical and eco-conscious future.
However, the shift away from fast fashion requires ongoing effort from both consumers and companies to ensure that fashion doesn’t come at the cost of the planet.
“We are all still breathing, and the world is still spinning. So what are we really worried about?” asked Tiana Baker, ’27.
While this perspective may reflect some apathy, it is the urgency of this issue. If we want a sustainable future, it’s up to all of us to take action.
