Introduction
The clothing industry is experiencing a surge in the popularity of fast fashion, with many consumers purchasing outfits that do not last long. This trend is driven by apparel companies continuously producing new items to keep up with customer demand, without considering the negative impact on the environment and labor markets. Fast fashion flooding the market has made it challenging for other players in the industry to compete, leading to diverse effects that make these cheap, trendy clothes questionable for human consumption.
Understanding fast fashion
Fast fashion has become a growing trend in the clothing industry, with many apparel companies producing cheap, trendy clothes quickly to meet consumer demands. This rapid turnover of clothing has negative impacts on the environment and labor markets. The fast fashion industry floods the market with new styles, making it difficult for other players to keep up. These cheap, trendy clothes are often considered unworthy of human consumption due to their short lifespan.
Manufacturers of fast fashion clothing draw inspiration from different cultures and celebrities to create the latest styles that consumers desire. The goal is to produce garments quickly to stay competitive and deliver the newest trends. However, this fast turnover encourages a culture of discarding clothes once they become outdated, leading to a lack of value in the products and a short period of use. Overall, fast fashion has diverse effects on the world and it is important to consider the negative impacts it has on the environment and labor markets.
History of fast fashion
The industrial revolution brought new technologies like sewing machines that simplified and sped up the process of making clothes, especially for the middle social classes. This led to the emergence of shops catering to this demographic, with workers making clothes for buyers. By the 1970s, young people started creating new fashion trends, turning outfit styles into personal expressions. In the 2000s, low-cost fashion became popular, with retailers like Zara, Topshop, and H&M dominating the high street. These developments have transformed the way clothes are made and consumed, shaping the fashion industry as we know it today.
The rise of fast fashion retailers like H&M and Zara has revolutionized the fashion industry, making trendy clothing accessible and affordable to the masses. This transformation has flooded the market with cheap and quickly-produced clothing, allowing people from all walks of life to purchase the latest fashion brands. However, this convenience comes at a cost to both the environment and quality of the garments.
Teen fascination with fast fashion
Social media has a significant impact on teenagers today, leading to high expectations and pressure to meet those expectations. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow young adults to see the lives of celebrities and models they admire, influencing their fashion choices. Many are motivated to emulate the clothing styles of influencers to maintain a positive public image. Three main factors driving the purchase of cheap clothes among youths are price, trend, and popularity.
The pressure for teenagers to buy cheap and trendy clothes from fast fashion retailers is fueled by the desire to mimic the clothing worn by influencers despite being aware of the negative impacts on the environment and humanitarian issues. The constant introduction of new styles and trends in the market also drives young consumers to frequently purchase new clothes to stay current. This results in a large volume of clothing that is eventually disposed of, further contributing to environmental pollution. Additionally, social media plays a significant role in influencing youths to purchase and wear the latest fashion styles in order to impress their peers and showcase their fashion-forwardness. Ultimately, the combination of affordability, trendiness, and social pressure leads teenagers to continue supporting the fast fashion industry despite its negative consequences.
Negative environmental effects.
The fast fashion industry’s exponential growth is causing harm to people, animals, and the environment. Retailers are mass-producing cheap clothing without considering ethical implications. This industry contributes to ecological damage, labor exploitation, and a decrease in government spending. Overall, the negative impacts outweigh any benefits, making it unsustainable and unethical.
Environmental impact of fast fashion
Fast fashion has a detrimental impact on the environment, affecting both plants, animals, and humans. The rapid production of clothing leads to overconsumption, as companies constantly introduce new trends. The disposal of unwanted garments results in land pollution, as many items cannot be recycled or donated. This accumulation of non-biodegradable materials harms the planet, creating a long-lasting environmental issue (Bick et al., 2018).
Textile industries use water in production, leading to hazardous byproducts containing elements like mercury, lead, and arsenic. When untreated waste is discharged into rivers and oceans, it harms both human and aquatic life. This pollution not only affects animals and people who use the water but also contaminates seas and other bodies of water. For example, Bangladesh dumps 22000 tons of untreated waste into waterways annually, posing a challenge to those who consume them directly.
Fast fashion garments are often made from materials like polyester and nylon, which release microplastics and microfibers when washed. These particles end up in water bodies and are consumed by fish, eventually entering the human food chain. This poses serious risks to human health, as ingesting microplastics can lead to various diseases and even death. Research by the International Union for Conservation of Nature found that a significant portion of microfibers in water bodies come from the washing of synthetic clothes, highlighting the fashion industry’s contribution to water contamination.
The production process of synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, and acrylic requires a significant amount of energy and fossil fuels, leading to the release of volatile particles and acids. This process contributes to the formation of acidic rain, which can be harmful to people living near manufacturing plants. Additionally, the transportation of these garments also generates excessive carbon emissions, impacting the earth’s climate.
Massive deforestation is leading to the extinction of rainforests worldwide, with trees being replaced by wood-based fabrics plantations for fast fashion production. Over a thousand hectares of endangered species are being cleared annually to make room for these plantations. This destruction of natural habitats also impacts water catchment areas and causes a rise in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, as there are not enough healthy plants left to absorb it.
The textile industry uses various chemicals in the production process, which can pose health hazards to consumers when clothes are sold. Greenpeace Detox campaign identified over ten synthetic compounds in fast fashion garments that can disrupt body hormones and cause cancer. Research also shows that children’s urine can contain elements from pajamas after wearing them for just one night. These findings highlight the risks and dangers associated with the textile industry and the potential harm it can cause to those who wear the clothes produced.
The demand for animal fur in the market has led to the endangerment of animals through killing or extreme shaving for leather and wool production. Reports have shown that some garments contain cats’ and dogs’ fur, indicating the use of illegal materials by manufacturers instead of faux materials. The practice reflects a disregard for ethical and sustainable practices in the fashion industry.
Exploitation in fashion industry
Exploitation of workers
The fast fashion industry is rife with violations of workers’ rights, with companies exploiting laborers through low wages and poor working conditions. Workers report that their salaries are insufficient to support their well-being despite long hours in factories. The environment is also hazardous due to the use of chemicals. The industry’s failure to protect workers shows their focus on profit over employee well-being, making the industry unsustainable. (91 words)
Promotion of child labour
The textile industry is often a target for non-skilled individuals, including children, who need to meet their basic needs. Despite their hard work, workers are often underpaid by management. The industry also prefers teenage workers who may not be aware of labor rights and are less likely to demand higher wages. This violates their right to education as they spend most of their time working instead of studying. (Zhang et al., 2021)
Child labor is on the rise in developing countries as companies look for cheap labor. In India, the Sumangali Scheme sees young girls from poor backgrounds working in textile industries for years to earn wages for their families and dowries, subjecting them to poor working conditions. Similarly in Uzbekistan, child labor is common during cotton harvests, with children being pulled from school to work in harsh conditions. While the government is trying to stop this practice, it still exists in other areas due to the demand for labor to meet targets set by companies. These situations highlight the exploitation and suffering that many children face in order to support their families and meet societal expectations.
Overworking
The fast fashion industry faces increasing pressure to keep up with changing trends, leading to overworked employees who often do not receive proper compensation. In many cases, workers are not paid overtime for the extra hours they put in to meet production deadlines. Supervisors enforce harsh conditions to ensure targets are met, leaving employees physically and mentally drained. Basic rights such as breaks are often restricted to meet high demand. This exploitative practice takes a toll on workers’ well-being and productivity.
Increasing assaults
The fast fashion industry’s high pressure environment is leading to an increase in assaults on factory workers. Employees who do not meet targets often face verbal or physical abuse from supervisors, and some have even experienced sexual violence as punishment. These behaviors result in health problems for victims, including mental issues. Therefore, this sector should not be promoted as it forces workers to endure unacceptable conditions for the benefit of the company.
Restriction of unions
In the fast fashion industry, garment workers are often prevented from forming unions by their employers, government policies, and even threats of termination or violence. This hinders workers from collectively bargaining for better wages, working conditions, and overtime pay. In countries like Bangladesh, where a large portion of fast fashion garments are produced, around 90% of firms restrict their employees from unionizing. This leaves workers vulnerable to exploitation and unable to defend themselves against unfair treatment. The few individuals who benefit from this situation continue to profit off the hard work of these workers. Governments in export countries need to enforce policies that protect the rights of workers and allow them to come together to fight for better working conditions.
Unsafe working conditions
The fast fashion industry has been criticized for failing to provide a safe working environment for employees, leading to several tragic accidents. The most notable example is the collapse of Rana Plaza in 2013, which resulted in the death of over 1100 workers. Many garment factories lack proper ventilation and are at risk of fires and other hazards, exposing workers to toxic substances and dangerous conditions. This highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures in the industry (Schuessler et al., 2019).
Coercing consumers
Customers feel pressured to keep up with constantly changing trends, leading to increased dissatisfaction and excessive spending on apparel. This trend results in overbuying and discarding of clothing as consumers strive to stay current with new styles in the market.
Conclusion
The fast fashion industry has had a negative impact on the environment, laborers, and consumers, with consequences such as child labor, exploitation of workers, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Despite these issues, it has provided low-income individuals with affordable clothing and created job opportunities for non-skilled workers. Solutions to address these problems include implementing protective policies for employees and reducing the excessive consumption of fast fashion items by supporting locally produced clothing. By adopting these practices, the industry has the potential to become more sustainable and improve the lives of both the people and animals affected by its production processes.
