The Real Costs of Fast Fashion: The Rundown

The truth? That $4 top has another cost -- for all of us.

What is fast fashion?

Fast fashion is a term used to describe the rapid production of cheap, trendy clothing in response to the latest trends. This model of fashion has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many clothing companies releasing new collections on a weekly or even daily basis.

While fast fashion may seem like a convenient and affordable way to stay on trend, it has serious negative impacts on the environment and on human health.

What impacts does fast fashion have on the environment & health?

One of the major environmental impacts of fast fashion is the massive amount of water, energy, and other resources that are used in the production of cheap clothing. The clothing industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, and the production of fast fashion clothing contributes significantly to this pollution. Bloomberg reports that "Today, in fact, fashion accounts for up to 10% of global carbon dioxide output — more than international flights and shipping combined."

In addition to the environmental impacts, fast fashion also has negative impacts on human health. Many clothing factories, particularly in developing countries, have poor working conditions and low wages, leading to exploitation and mistreatment of workers. The use of toxic chemicals in the production of clothing can also have negative health impacts on workers and on consumers who wear the clothing.

What happens when fast fashion is disposed of?

The disposal of clothing after use, formally known as textile waste, is a serious environmental problem that has negative impacts on both the environment and on the people living in areas where clothing is disposed of.

When clothing is no longer wanted or needed, it is often thrown away or donated to thrift stores. However, a significant amount of clothing ends up in landfills or is shipped to other countries, where it is often improperly disposed of.

Even after you've finished that BeReal or perfected that Instagram post, fast fashion may not stay in your closet, but it certainly sticks around -- and the disposal of clothing has serious environmental consequences. Textile waste takes up a significant amount of space in landfills, and it can take hundreds of years for clothing to decompose. The production of clothing also requires a significant amount of resources, and when clothing is discarded, these resources are wasted.

In addition to the environmental impacts, the disposal of clothing can also have negative consequences for people living in areas where clothing is dumped. In some cases, clothing that is shipped to other countries is sold at extremely low prices, which can hurt local clothing industries and lead to economic instability, particularly in developing countries. The improper disposal of clothing can also lead to litter and other environmental problems in the local community; and if toxic chemicals are present, as they commonly are, those can easily find their way into waterways and the soil.

What can we do to stop this?

To help reduce the negative impacts of clothing dumping, it's important to reduce the amount of clothing we consume and properly dispose of the clothing we no longer need. Donating or selling gently-used clothing instead of throwing it away can help to extend the life of these garments and reduce waste. By making more conscious fashion choices, we can help to protect both the environment and the communities that are affected by clothing waste.

So what can we do to reduce the negative impacts of fast fashion? One option is to support companies that use sustainable materials and practices, such as organic cotton or recycled materials. We can also choose to buy high-quality, timeless pieces instead of constantly purchasing cheap, trendy clothing that will quickly go out of style. Finally, we can donate or sell our gently-used clothing instead of throwing it away, helping to extend the life of these garments and reduce waste.

Thrifting is a common and fun way to make more eco-conscious choices when it comes to fast fashion, and you'd be surprised at the things you can find! Thrifting with friends is even better -- though be warned, you might squabble over who found the cute jacket first.

By making more conscious fashion choices, we can help to protect the environment and the people who are impacted by the fashion industry -- including ourselves and our own health and wellbeing.

Written in collaboration with an anonymous contributor & staff member of our Discord server. We are planning on posting a follow-up to this with a list of online thrifting communities, and we are considering writing a "fast fashion series".