Running head: Contemporary Issues Discussion Assignment

Contemporary Issues Discussion Assignment

The Environmental Effects of Fast Fashion

SHIVAM SHARMA

23051258

BCM203 Professional Selling

PROF. Christina
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Introduction:

The fashion industry is one of the biggest and most significant sectors in the modern world.

However, the emergence of "fast fashion" has sparked serious worries about how it may affect

the environment. Rapidly creating affordable apparel in response to current trends and making it

available to customers at a low cost is known as "fast fashion." It has contributed to serious

environmental issues even if it has made fashion more accessible and fashionable. Massive

volumes of garbage, increasing pollution, and the depletion of natural resources are the outcomes

of the manufacture, consumption, and disposal of fast fashion items. This assignment will

investigate how rapid fashion affects the environment, what causes it, and possible ways to

lessen the harm.

1.Fast fashion: what is it?

DEFINITION:

The term "fast fashion" describes the quick creation of apparel in response to prevailing trends.

Companies that use the fast fashion business model include Zara, H&M, and Shein, to name a

few. These businesses encourage customers to regularly change their wardrobes by producing

inexpensive apparel that is meant to be worn just a few times before being thrown away.

The Production Speed:

The capacity of fast fashion to swiftly introduce new runway styles to retail establishments is its

defining feature. To get new clothing onto the market in a matter of weeks, designers and
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manufacturers strive to reduce production timelines. This rapid turnaround frequently leads to

less sustainable methods, lower production standards, and cheaper materials.

2. The Effects of Fast Fashion on the Environment

a. Overconsumption and Waste

Waste is the main environmental issue linked to quick fashion. People purchase more clothes

than they need since it is made regularly and at a low cost. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation

estimates that fast fashion accounts for a large portion of the 92 million tons of textile waste

produced annually worldwide. Many of these clothes wind up in landfills, where their

decomposition may take hundreds of years.

b. Pollution of Water

One of the main causes of water contamination is fast fashion. Large volumes of water are

needed for textile production, and hazardous chemicals are frequently released into water

systems during the dyeing process. One cotton shirt, for instance, requires over 2,700 liters of

water to manufacture, which is enough water for one person to drink for two and a half years.

Textile mills frequently discharge untreated garbage into neighboring waterways in nations like

Bangladesh and China, where fast fashion is produced, seriously harming the environment.

c. The Carbon Footprint

The carbon footprint of the fast fashion sector is very substantial. Global warming is a result of

the development of fast fashion clothing, from the manufacturing process to transportation.

Large volumes of carbon dioxide (CO2) are released throughout the global shipping and air

transportation of garments. Additionally, fast fashion frequently uses synthetic fabrics like

polyester, which are non-biodegradable and derived from petrochemicals, adding to pollution.
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d. The destruction of forests

Deforestation and biodiversity loss result from some fast fashion businesses sourcing materials

from environmentally vulnerable places. For example, the manufacture of viscose, a fabric

derived from wood pulp, is associated with illicit logging and the devastation of forests,

especially in China and Indonesia.

3. The Effects of Fast Fashion on Society

Fast fashion has societal repercussions in addition to its serious environmental effects. In

addition to receiving extremely little pay, many of the workers who make fast fashion apparel

endure hazardous working conditions and low pay. The social cost of fast fashion encompasses

not just environmental damage but also worker rights violations and exploitation.

4. Ways to Counteract Fast Fashion's Environmental Impact

a. Eco-friendly Clothing

By selecting sustainable options, consumers can lessen the negative effects of rapid fashion on

the environment. Using eco-friendly materials, ethical labor methods, and cutting waste with

circular fashion are the main goals of sustainable fashion firms. These companies frequently

encourage customers to purchase fewer but more durable clothing items by emphasizing quality

over quantity.

b. Recycling and Reusing

Recycling and repurposing old clothes can help reduce textile waste. Many brands now offer

take-back programs where customers can recycle old garments for store credit or donations.

Additionally, buying second-hand clothes or upcycling old items into new ones can contribute to

reducing the demand for new fast fashion.

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c. Informing Customers

One of the most important strategies for addressing the environmental effects of rapid fashion is

education. Customers can make better decisions about their purchases if they are aware of the

environmental impact of inexpensive apparel. More thoughtful consumption may result from

knowing the true costs of fast fashion items, both to the environment and to the workers who

produce them.

d. Industry and Government Regulations

By enacting laws that support sustainable fashion practices, governments and businesses may

contribute. Stricter environmental laws, for instance, might guarantee that textile mills handle

their waste appropriately. Policies to promote recycling and cut waste might be implemented,

and businesses could be forced to report their environmental impact.

5. Conclusion

The fast fashion industry has revolutionized the way we shop for clothes, but it has also

contributed significantly to environmental degradation and waste. From water pollution to

carbon emissions, the impact of fast fashion on the environment is undeniable. However, through

sustainable practices, responsible consumer choices, and industry-wide reforms, it is possible to

mitigate these effects. By supporting eco-friendly fashion brands, recycling, and making more

conscious purchases, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future for the fashion industry

and the planet.

References
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1. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2017). A new textile

economy: Redesigning fashion’s future.
2. World Economic Forum. (2020). "The Environmental
Impact of Fast Fashion."
3. Greenpeace. (2018). "How Fast Fashion Is Killing the
Planet." Greenpeace International.
4. United Nations Environment Programme. (2019).
UNEP Fashion Industry Report: The Environmental
Cost of Fashion.