Boycott Fast Fashion Brands
Boycott Fast Fashion Brands
What is Fast Fashion: Fast Fashion is the Quick production of cheap and low quality clothes that are trendy and currently popular among consumers.
These trends do not last very long (Approximately 1 week), and are constantly replaced with new clothes.
Quick Overview: We need to The production and disposal of Fast Fashion products, negatively affects our environment and our own health. These products negatively affect our environment because they are always thrown away in landfills. And the production of the clothes releases greenhouse gasses into the air. This relates to our own health, because an issue with the environment, is an issue for our home’s survival. Fast Fashion is a MAJOR issue, but to solve the issue, we need to understand the root of the problem.
Carbon Dioxide Pollution and Fast Fashion: The Fast Fashion industry is the second most polluting industry in the world! When Fast Fashion garments are produced every year, a total between 1.22 and 2.93 billion metric tons of Carbon Dioxide are released into the air and atmosphere. Adding to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
Ocean Pollution and Fast Fashion: And when these garments are used after a short period of time, they are thrown in the landfill. Most of these garments are made of polyester, so they sit in the landfill for 500+ years until they fully break down, they break down into microfibers and microplastics after 80 years. In fact, 1 garbage truck of clothes are landfilled or incinerated every second!
And regarding ocean pollution, when you was Fast Fashion garments, microplastic fibers (microfibers) are washed down the drains in thousands. They are so small that they cannot be caught at water filtering plants, and end up in the ocean. These plastics litter ecosystems and end up in the stomachs of fish. Which then end in our own stomachs!
Health and Social/Political Issues: Not only does Fast Fashion have environmental impacts, but it also has impacts on human health and those around the world. Along with the production, and fast use of Fast Fashion garments, the use of them can impact our health. Many of these Fast Fashion garments are made of cheap polyester and 8000 different synthetic chemicals on average.1 in 6 people work in the garment industry, so they deal products have to work with them every single day for several hours. 80% of these people are women of reproductive age, and out of them, only 2% earn a living wage.
What Can You do to Help:
Boycotting Fast Fashion Brands are the best option for stopping the industry from affecting us and our environment even more. Here are some examples of Fast Fashion Brands:
- Romwe
- Shein
- Zara
- H&M
- Mango
- Boohoo
- Forever 21
- Urban Outfitters
- Salt Tree
- Target
- TopShop
- Primark
The following brands either use illegal labor or do not provide rights for their garment workers:
- GAP
- Nike
- Adidas
- Uniqlo
- Guess
I also encourage you to research other brands to find out if they are Fast Fashion contributors.
Alternatives to purchasing Fast Fashion:
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We can embrace slow fashion, by buying clothes that last longer, so they can be worn several times.
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Giving away clothes to and buying from thrift stores can prevent more clothes to end up in the landfill.
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You can buy sustainable clothes that are made from natural textiles and fibers like fair trade cotton.
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You can up-cycle your clothes. For example, you can use an old shirt as a towel, or turn it into a bag.
- Also, it's important to spread the word on the negative effects of Fast Fashion, the more people know about the effects and what brands to avoid, the quicker we can help slow the production of Fast Fashion garments and help the environment and garment workers.
Remember: You are saving lives by finding alternatives to purchasing fast fashion!
So please Boycott Fast Fashion brands and spread the word. We can stop this global issue together.
If you want a more in depth view on Fast Fashion, then click this link to a Google Slideshow:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/138oAxI-Ungw1HhSrh9s_mohBxWhT6xbpTXgmX4yXVhA/edit?usp=sharing
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Sources:
https://www.oceancleanwash.org/the-issue/
https://ucsdguardian.org/2019/02/24/fast-fashion-folly-problems-influencer-culture-consumerism/
https://thesustainablelivingguide.com/fast-fashion-brands/
https://www.storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-microfibers/
https://therevelator.org/textiles-climate-emissions/
https://www.ecofriendlyhabits.com/textile-and-fashion-waste-statistics/