Introduction
Imagine walking into any clothing store today, the first thing you see will be a rack of inexpensive clothing, just perfect for the ongoing trends. We will not give a second thought before buying a shirt that is cheap and affordable, only for it to be worn a couple of times and forgotten when a new trend arrives. This is called fast fashion. Fast fashion is a business model involving the rapid design, production, and marketing of high-volume, low-cost clothing that mimics current runway trends.
Global Influence of the Fashion Industry
If you’ve ever watched a makeover scene in a movie, you probably recognise this idea. Trying on, buying, and wearing different clothes to match how we feel, helps us satisfy our need for comfort and express our unique personality.
Fashion is a huge business. In 2023, the industry’s estimated worth was about ₹158 lakh crore . More than 300 million people all around the world work in the clothing industry. The fashion industry produces about 100 billion garments every year worldwide.
Consequences of Fast Fashion
The fast fashion industry, which has shown significant growth over the years, contributes significantly to global waste. People have started buying more clothes than ever before. The average consumer buys about 60% more clothing today than in the year 2000. Global clothing consumption is expected to increase by 63% by 2030.
Fast fashion consumers are also quick to throw away their clothes. About 9.2 crore tons of textile waste are generated globally each year. This is roughly a truckload of clothes dumped every second. Most of these clothes end up in the landfills or burned, instead of being recycled or reused.
Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion
Have you ever wondered what impact your trendy clothes have on the environment?
The fashion industry, although fascinating, is largely responsible for the air and water pollution around the world. The industry uses about 7,900-9,300 billion cubic metres of water every year, equivalent to the annual consumption of 2.8 crore people. The fashion industry produces about 8-10% of global carbon emissions, that equals around 1.2 billion tons of CO₂ emissions every year. Textile dyeing and treatment cause about 20% of global industrial water pollution. Around 35% of microplastics in oceans come from synthetic textile fibres.
Human Labour Behind Cheap Clothing
Behind every cheap T-shirt is a worker who put all their work into producing it. In many garment factories around the world, workers are paid extremely low wages and are required to work long hours under difficult conditions. Around 75–85% of garment workers are women, many from low-income communities. In Bangladesh, some
garment workers earn as little as ₹30–₹42 per hour. The workers’ efforts are wasted, and worst of all, they do not even earn a basic living wage for their labour.
Role of Youth in Reducing Fast Fashion
The youth have the power to discourage and oppose fast fashion. It is high time we become aware of our surroundings and become thoughtful shoppers. Instead of buying clothes frequently, we should choose durable clothing that lasts for a long time. We should also reuse or repair garments, rather than throwing them into the trash. This will prevent the clothes from piling up in the landfills, and reduce waste. Another way to reduce waste is by thrifting clothes. We can buy secondhand clothes or we can donate our old clothes, which are still in good condition.
Conclusion
Fashion should be a form of creativity and self-expression, not a cause of environmental destruction. By choosing quality over quantity and encouraging sustainable practices, my generation can transform fashion into an industry that respects both people and the planet.
