"Fast fashion" is when companies quickly create new styles of clothing to sell in stores or online as trends change. The major issue with this type of production style is that although the manufacturing of clothing has become quicker, its unethical practices are extremely harmful to the environment. Not only this, but clothing that is produced overseas is often made from factories or "sweatshops" with poor working conditions, inadequate workmanship, and even child labor.  As Girl Scouts, we (Becky and Shayda) are passionate about this issue because it can have a major negative effect on the future of the environment.

To start, fast fashion has an immense carbon footprint. When clothing is not manufactured with sustainable and ethical production, items are quickly disposed of in landfills and the artificial textiles don’t easily deteriorate. Not only this, but chemicals from the dye in clothing can leak into the ground when thrown into landfills. Not only is this extremely wasteful, but it contributes to pollution and trash buildup in our world. Most importantly, fast fashion produces 10% of the world’s carbon emissions, something that can be dramatically decreased if more people pledge to avoid fast fashion.

Staying away from fast fashion is not difficult, but it is something that many have to get used to! There are a variety of ways to do this: donation, thrifting, or just choosing to only buy clothing from sustainable and ethical production (a way to check if your favorite brand is sustainable is to download the free app Good on You). Through donations to local thrift stores, you are lowering the amount of wasted clothing that could end up in landfills, and even helping someone who may not have the means to afford newer pieces of clothing! By thrifting, you have the opportunity to buy more unique options, letting you express your individual style. As for sustainable fashion businesses, the organic fibers in quality clothing lasts longer, saving you money and better preserving the environment!

By pledging to avoid fast fashion, you are promising to avoid fast fashion brands as much as possible, to actively donate usable clothes instead of throwing them all away, and to consider where your clothes came from before buying something that seems "cheap" but has a major environmental cost.