Why should you care? Humans contribute to the destruction of the earth and its organisms. With the continuation of fast fashion production, we will continue to increase pollution in our water, the air, and in the food we eat which all comes back to affect humans. Ecosystems are dying as well as human lives to support western mass consumption of clothing that has a short lifespan. You can choose to be a voice to those who are powerless in this industry. Listed below are solutions and ways you can actively be a part of the resolution.
Not all clothing ends up in landfills. Some garments are donated or resold at a lower price through consignment and thrift stores, some are exported for sale to more than 100 countries (many of them being developing countries), and others are chemically or mechanically processed into raw material to be manufactured again.
Reselling
There is hope for the future as there has been a 67% increase in sales of donated clothing to thrift stores since 2001. A survey conducted in 2006 by America’s Research Group found that 12-15% of Americans shop at resale stores. This same year Goodwill reached more than $1.8 billion in sales. While these are promising numbers, not all of the post-consumer waste at resale stores is sold. Charities such as the salvation army have found a way to solve this issue by selling the clothes to recyclers. This idea started in 1942 operated by the Trans America Trading company who now processes more than 12 million pounds per year of post-consumer textiles (Claudio pp. 3). These textiles are then turned into rags, fibers for upholstery stuffing, insulation, and even some paper products. Stores such as Depop, Poshmark, Grailed (more listed below) are placed to shop for quality used clothing online.
Thrift and Resale Sites
Depop- https://www.depop.com/
Grailed- https://www.grailed.com/
eBay- https://www.ebay.com/
Thread Up - https://www.thredup.com/
The RealReal - https://www.therealreal.com/
Product Development
Development in the sustainability of fashion called “eco-fashion” is defined by the International Standards Organization as identifying the general performance and lifestyle of a product in order to make improvements in environmental measures and sustainable consumption patterns. (Claudio pp. 6). One approach to this is sustainably growing fibers like cotton, hemp, and bamboo which require less irrigation. Brands such as Walmart, America’s largest retailer, and Sam’s club are using this method and have started selling garments made of organic cotton (Claudio pp. 6).
Corporate and Government Impact
Change can happen at a Corporate level if companies capitalize on the appeal of eco-friendly goods and market their products as “green” as a play on the emotions of consumers to want to support the greater good. Government policies can also have a huge impact as they can enforce trade policies on goods and regulations for the health and safety of workers. The leaders of fast fashion companies should pay closer attention to how their products are made which is something small that could have a huge benefit for both sides of the operation.
Consumer Impact
Consumers have the biggest impact on the future of fast fashion and increasing sustainability. Consumers can start by purchasing fewer, more durable garments, recycling unwanted clothing, and buying from resale stores. Consumers can also end brand loyalty to companies to exploit the earth and human labor and shift their loyalty to brands supporting sustainable practices.