The True Cost of Fast Fashion on the Environment & your Health

Introduction: Fast Fashion and Its Environmental Impact

Fast fashion has rapidly become a dominant force in the clothing industry, spearheaded by major retailers like Zara, H&M, Forever 21 and a more recent entrant, Shein. These brands provide inexpensive, trendy clothes designed to meet the relentless demands of style-conscious consumers. However, fast fashion comes at an enormous environmental cost. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reveals that the fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water, accounts for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions, 24% of insecticides and 11% of pesticides.

As the industry booms, the hidden impacts on our environment remain severe. The sector, worth a staggering $2.4 trillion, employs over 75 million people globally, forming an intricate value chain that touches nearly every corner of the world. Yet, behind this economic strength lies an alarming environmental toll. Over the past two decades, global fiber production has nearly doubled, with projections suggesting further growth if business as usual continues. In 2000, consumers purchased about 58 million tonnes of fiber, which climbed to 116 million tonnes by 2022 and is expected to reach 147 million tonnes by 2030. While people bought 60% more clothing in 2014 than in 2000, the longevity of these garments has decreased, with most items only being kept for a fraction of their lifespan.

Despite its convenience and affordability, fast fashion is a major source of pollution. Around 85% of textiles produced annually end up in landfills (UNECE, 2018), and washing synthetic clothing introduces substantial amounts of microplastics into our oceans, further harming marine ecosystems. To meet production demands at such low costs, fast fashion brands often outsource manufacturing to countries with cheaper labor, sidestepping minimum wage regulations in many developed nations. This approach may lower prices for North American consumers, but it comes with a hidden environmental cost, shifting the burden of pollution and waste to distant communities and fragile ecosystems.

The consequences of fast fashion are no longer just industrial problems; they’re consumer challenges. As buyers, we need to recognize the true environmental toll of this industry and explore sustainable alternatives. Each purchase has an impact, and awareness is the first step toward minimizing the overlooked consequences of fast fashion.

What Is Fast Fashion?

"Fast fashion" has become a common term in conversations about fashion, sustainability, and environmental impact. It refers to inexpensive, rapidly produced garments that mimic runway trends, allowing retailers to supply stores with stylish, affordable clothing that encourages frequent purchasing and disposal.

This model thrives on speed—quick design, production, and distribution cycles enable brands to respond rapidly to trends, offering varied products at low prices. "Fast fashion" was first coined in the early 1990s when Zara, upon opening in New York City, was noted by the New York Times for its quick 15-day turnaround from design to retail says Fashionista. Today, brands like Zara, H&M, Forever 21, and Shein dominate this space, making trendy items accessible to a wide audience.

While fast fashion makes it easier for consumers to stay on trend affordably, its rapid production process often compromises ethical standards and sustainability. The next sections will explore the various ways in which fast fashion impacts both the environment and individual well-being, shedding light on the true cost of this ultra-fast industry.

The Environmental Footprint of Fast Fashion

Fast fashion has a substantial environmental impact across various stages of the production and consumption chain.

Waste and Landfills

An equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothes is dumped or incinerated every second (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017), and 85% of textiles go to landfills annually. As consumers frequently discard low-quality, inexpensive clothing, this waste accumulates, creating harmful environmental impacts. Landfill incineration emits toxins that affect nearby communities, despite efforts to filter pollutants.

Water Consumption and Pollution

The fashion industry consumes 215 trillion liters of water each year and is responsible for around 8% of global, greenhouse gas emissions (news24, 2023). It takes 3,000 liters of water to produce a single cotton shirt, and factories, often located in countries with weak environmental regulations, discharge untreated, hazardous wastewater into rivers and oceans.

Plastic Microfibers and Synthetic Fibers

About 60 percent of material made into clothing is plastic, which includes polyester, acrylic and nylon textiles (UNEP, 2024), with polyester being a primary contributor to microplastics. Each year, 500,000 tons of microfibers are released into oceans through washing, introducing toxins into the food chain. Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon also take centuries to degrade, exacerbating pollution and impacting marine ecosystems.

Excessive Clothing Production and Consumption

Fast fashion’s low prices and trend-driven demand have led to overconsumption, with global apparel consumption reaching 62 million metric tons in 2019 (ACE, 2022). Poor-quality clothes wear out quickly, creating a cycle of discarding and re-purchasing. This accelerated consumption contributes significantly to landfill waste and resource depletion.

Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The fashion industry is responsible for 2-8% of global carbon emissions. Synthetic fiber production is energy-intensive, relying on fossil fuels and emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases. With emissions projected to rise 60% by 2030, the industry’s carbon footprint remains a growing concern (genevaenvironmentnetwork, 2024).

Use of Viscose and Hazardous Chemicals

Viscose, a cellulosic fiber derived from wood pulp, requires toxic chemicals for processing, leading to both environmental harm and health risks for factory workers. Carbon disulfide, used in viscose production, can cause severe health issues, highlighting the broader human cost associated with fast fashion production.

Social and Ethical Impacts

The fast fashion industry’s rapid production model relies on cheap labor, often in developing countries with minimal regulation. Workers, predominantly young women, face dangerous conditions and low wages. Incidents like the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse underscore the exploitation involved in producing fast fashion garments.

In summary, fast fashion’s impacts extend from environmental degradation, including resource depletion, pollution, and carbon emissions, to ethical issues related to worker exploitation. Sustainable business models and consumer awareness are essential to mitigate these impacts.

What is slow fashion?

Slow fashion promotes investing in fewer, higher-quality items that last, which counters the fast fashion culture of rapid disposal. This reduces waste and encourages consumers to build a timeless, versatile wardrobe.

Slow fashion brands often prioritize transparency, sharing information about their sourcing and manufacturing processes to give consumers insight into the full lifecycle of their clothing, from raw materials to final product.

Is Slow Fashion the Solution?

Slow fashion has gained traction as a potential solution to counter the environmental and social damages caused by the fast fashion industry. While slow fashion emphasizes quality over quantity, sustainability, and the ethical treatment of workers, it also aligns with a broader shift toward circular economy practices.

The World Resources Institute suggests that companies need to prioritize business models that maximize the useful life of clothing. This includes designing products that can be reused, repaired, or recycled. One significant initiative towards this goal is the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, launched at the fourth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4). This initiative works to stop the environmentally and socially destructive practices of fast fashion by improving international cooperation, analyzing existing efforts, and influencing policy change.

One notable strategy is the growth of the secondhand clothing market. Shoppers are increasingly turning to platforms like Thredup and Poshmark, which allow individuals to sell and purchase pre-owned garments at lower prices. This approach reduces consumption and encourages the reuse of clothing, lowering demand for new garment production. Additionally, clothing rental services, such as Rent the Runway, Gwynnie Bee, Mud Jeans, and Girl Meets Dress, offer customers the opportunity to rent high-quality garments instead of buying them, helping to combat overconsumption.

Companies are also adopting more sustainable approaches in their operations. For example, Adidas is exploring personalized gear to reduce returns and excess inventory, thus decreasing waste. Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren has committed to sourcing 100% of its key materials sustainably by 2025.

Governments play a critical role in driving change. While some countries, like the UK, have been slow to address the environmental impact of fast fashion, others, like France, are taking steps to improve sustainability in the industry. French President Emmanuel Macron has made a pact with 150 brands to reduce the fashion sector's environmental footprint.

At an individual level, Patsy Perry, senior lecturer in fashion marketing at the University of Manchester, sums it up best: "Less is always more." By shifting our mindset and investing in durable, sustainable, and ethically made fashion, we can collectively reduce the negative impact on both the environment and the people behind the clothes.

Otherwise, you are always free to convert old clothing into new exciting pieces or a completely different type of item. Take that old cotton T-shirt and recycle it into a beeswax wrap to keep your fridge goodies feeling fresh.

Conclusion

The path to a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry begins with a shift in mindset—from the glamour of fast fashion and overconsumption to a focus on sustainability, quality, and social justice. Addressing the harms of fast fashion requires both individual action and systemic change, including greater international cooperation, corporate responsibility, and government intervention. As consumers, we have the power to influence the market by supporting brands that prioritize the environment and ethical practices. By embracing slow fashion, we can contribute to a future where fashion is not just about trends but about long-term sustainability and positive social impact.