Ditch fast fashion, make plans to slow down
By Kendra Martinez, Staff Writer
Fast Fashion- a term used to describe a highly profitable business model based on replicating catwalk trends and high fashion designs, and mass producing them at low cost.
There is no ethical consumption under capitalism. Hidden behind fast fashion’s intriguing, competitively low price is a world not as warm and welcoming as your sweater from Forever21. Companies like these resort to environmentally damaging production methods, the use of unethical resources and worker abuse on the other side of the world to bring low value clothes to us.
Much of the production of fast fashion takes place in foreign countries rather than the U.S. because other countries like India, China and Vietnam don’t have laws protecting workers, giving companies the ability to abuse their power. Companies exploit their workers for long hours of labor without paying them a proper wage. Workers have been reported to be physically abused by their employers and they still continue to work because it’s the only job available to them. Not only are these workers exploited, but they are also exposed to highly toxic chemicals used in dyes and fabrics, according to The Good Trade. Among these chemicals is lead, which can cause a number of health problems including infertility, heart attacks and brain damage. Adult laborers are not the only ones who experience these inhumane working conditions; children are exposed to them as well. Child labour is not uncommon in the fast fashion idustry because of the need for money in the countries where fast fashion companies make their clothes. According to The Guardian, there are about 170 million children taking part in child labour. For example, young girls in India are sent to spinning mills in hopes that they will be paid a reasonable wage for their work and they will be properly accommodated. However, this has been proven to not be the case and the working conditions are similar to the ones stated above.
Not only does the fast fashion industry violate human rights, it leaves a negative impact on the environment. Companies throw away a tremendous amount of clothing artifacts when they are no longer in style. Because these items are made with chemicals and pesticides, the clothes will not break down or decompose. Instead, they will release toxic chemicals into the air. Additionally, the New York Times explains that a good amount of the fabrics used come from fossil fuels and will never decay because it is not possible to decompose fossil fuels. According to the Group Against Smog and Pollution, the fast fashion industry is emitting 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, meaning it is leaving a carbon footprint that is comparable to the oil companies’ carbon footprint.
What can I do to help? There are many ways to limit your fast fashion consumption. The most obvious way is to stop shopping from fast fashion brands, such as Zara and Shein. Shopping from sustainable brands is the next step. It is understandable that not everyone can buy from sustainable brands and that is okay! There are many rising sustainable brands and hopefully in the future they will be available for everyone to enjoy. Another alternative to fast fashion is thrifting. While it may take a bit longer to find something to your taste, thrifting is better for the environment.
“Thrift stores can’t even sell half the clothes they get because there are so many. We don’t need to buy new clothes all the time,” said Katha Nelson (’23), who regularly thrifts.
Many Samo students have opened accounts on Depop where they sell their clothes or they sell their clothes through Instagram. This is a great option because instead of throwing out clothes they do not wear anymore, these students are giving other people the opportunity to find other purposes for the clothes. The most important thing to remember is that even just cutting down your fast fashion consumption can make a difference and help protect our environment.