{"id":3655,"date":"2021-02-01T07:26:10","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T07:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sincerelysustainable.com\/?p=3655"},"modified":"2021-10-06T03:18:29","modified_gmt":"2021-10-06T03:18:29","slug":"fast-fashion-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/fast-fashion-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Fast Fashion Problem and 3 Ethical Ways to Fix It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>What comes to your mind first when you hear about fast fashion? While we don\u2019t know what exactly it is, but we can say for sure that it must have something to do with the environmental impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2014in recent times\u2014visited a fashion outlet and got your favorite T-shirt or denim with the \u2018absolute bargain\u2019, odds are what you experienced is fast fashion. Yes, we\u2019re talking about a serious issue here. It is <em>fast fashion<\/em> that is killing our planet slowly but surely, and what\u2019s disheartening is that in spite of knowing it, we\u2019re not doing anything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you know that fashion\u2014being a billion-dollar industry\u2014is responsible for being the most contaminating industry after the oil sector?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the term includes \u2018fast\u2019 in it, what it does is exactly the opposite. It slows down the progress of the country where it is practiced\u2014from putting a negative impact on nature to killing workers\u2019 values to putting people\u2019s lives at risk to contributing to resource waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Fast Fashion?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First things first\u2014let\u2019s first get our head around what exactly fast fashion is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As per the Oxford dictionary, fast fashion means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cInexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on the definition, we can clearly see that fast fashion is about creating, producing, or manufacturing up-to-the-minute, inexpensive, and chemical-based clothing in bulk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is so huge that the more facts we present in front of you, the less they seem. The internet is full of articles about the statistics (facts) of fast fashion, describing how it is killing our ethics and the planet we\u2019re living in. Not just the producers and retailers are responsible for this catastrophic situation, we\u2019re also associated with it\u2014directly or indirectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you ever purchased clothing from GAP or H&amp;M, you contributed to the environmental impact. In fact, any clothing that is not labeled with words like \u2018Sustainable\u2019, \u2018Eco-friendly\u2019, or \u2018Ethical\u2019 is responsible for the carbon footprint that is impacting our mother earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fast Fashion Problem\u2014How to Fix It Ethically?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Is there any way to put an end to this destructive situation everyone is struggling with, in this modern era?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, in spite of being a huge problem, there are ways to fix it, provided that we do it all together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what needs to be done about it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how we can fight the problems that exist in the fashion industry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fast-Fashion-Problems-and-How-to-Fix-It-e1612164448907-1024x608.webp \"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fast-Fashion-Problems-and-How-to-Fix-It-e1612164448907-1024x608.png\" class=\" sp-no-webp\" alt=\"Fast Fashion Problems and How to Fix It\" decoding=\"async\"  > <\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Buy Sustainable<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you seek the best-on-earth way to diminish the impact of <strong>global warming <\/strong>we\u2019re going through, buying products that are made with \u2018Sustainability\u2019 in mind will definitely be a lifesaver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hundreds of <strong>eco-friendly<\/strong> brands are now stepping into the sustainable fashion world and producing high-quality clothes for people who care for the planet. If you\u2019re someone who strives for clothes that are made using vegan fabrics, you\u2019re lucky because we\u2019ve got you covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In our blog segment, we\u2019ve vetted top earth-friendly brands that make <strong>well-favored<\/strong>, <strong>biodegradable<\/strong>, <strong>long-lasting<\/strong>, and <strong>voguish clothes<\/strong>. Additionally, if you can\u2019t help but crave more versatility, you could get your hands on other products, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/sustainable-pajamas\/\">Eco-friendly Pajamas<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/sustainable-sneakers\/\">Sustainable Sneakers<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/sustainable-jeans\/\">Earth-friendly Jeans<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/sustainable-workout-clothes\/\">Workout Clothes<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Not just that, you could make an intelligent decision by being aware of <a href=\"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/sustainable-fabrics\/\">sustainable fabrics<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By and large, eco-friendly brands keep everything <strong>transparent<\/strong> to offer customers the peace of mind they\u2019re looking for. That way, the end-user can track everything step by step\u2014from where they take the material to how they process it to how much water is used and how much carbon emission have been avoided in the making of a single production, such as <strong>leggings<\/strong>, <strong>t-shirts<\/strong>, <strong>shoes<\/strong>, and other clothing, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is there all there is to sustainable fashion?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not really! There is more to sustainable fashion that meets the eye\u2014there are other benefits of going with sustainably made products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most brands that have embraced sustainability also make sure that their workers receive the appreciation they deserve. To ensure this, they visit their <strong>ethical factories<\/strong> and sit down with the employees to understand their needs and problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re serious about sustainability and want to dig deep, pay close attention to the fabrics being used in the apparel. You should be asking yourself: is this activewear made of organic fabrics?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While people may prefer organic cotton to non-organic one, there is a lot to consider when it comes to textiles. If you\u2019re not after cotton, you will find <a href=\"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/cotton-alternatives\/\">cotton alternatives<\/a> useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying sustainable outfits doesn\u2019t mean you should compromise on quality or other properties that you would get in a good fabric. If you look for silky and shiny clothing, you\u2019re good to go with the organic linen fabric to achieve that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you truly care for the planet and have been an active participator in activities about sustainably, you might\u2019ve heard about the \u2018Rana Plaza\u2019 collapse, a tragedy where more than 1 thousand people\u20141,134, to be exact\u2014died and around 2,500 people went through non-fatal injuries. The building only took 90 seconds to collapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Who do you think is responsible for this disaster?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you guessed it right\u2014it is <em>fast fashion<\/em> alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, all of this could have been avoided if they had used the slow-fashion approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Shop Less<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Make love, not CO2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, <strong><em>shop less<\/em><\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter if you shop online or you love to hit the fashion outlet by car, or on foot, shopping less could be another big step towards dealing with the fast fashion problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t buy something unless, of course, you really need it. While shopping for something, just think about nature. You could take the longevity of your clothing to the next level by washing it only when required\u2014<strong>when you think is the right time<\/strong>. If you wash your clothes only once in a while, not only will you help decrease global warming but also your outfits will last longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s no secret that people are now trying to educate themselves towards sustainability. However, it is sad to know that <em>95% of <\/em>people who wish to buy sustainable stuff don\u2019t even know what to look for in a sustainable product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve already discussed how huge fast fashion is. If we don\u2019t do something about it right away, there\u2019ll be no fresh air left to breathe in the future. We need to do our bit to help keep the environment as fresh as possible i.e. to <strong>smash the greenhouse effect<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you by mistake made a hole in your clothing, don\u2019t throw it away; rather you could do some sewing and <strong>help reduce waste<\/strong>. That\u2019s because clothing that gets dumped into the water not only puts our life at risk but also impacts the water creatures and land-living mammals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make certain that you won\u2019t need to dump your old clothing or fashion accessories, always look for apparel made of recycled fabric, such as <strong>recycled cotton<\/strong>, <strong>recycled polyester<\/strong>, etc. See our take on <a href=\"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/sustainable-fabrics\/\">sustainable fabrics<\/a> and make an intelligent decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By shopping less, you\u2019re directly reducing the overall carbon footprint, alias CO2, which will pay you off in the long term. As for the recycled fabrics, look for the brands that use utilize a \u201cclosed-loop system\u201d so the clothing can be recycled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, buy your much-loved clothing from brands that feature transparency\u2014brands that never keep their customers in the dark. Also, pay close attention to the <strong>ethical practices <\/strong>used by the company you\u2019re interested in buying the product of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Give Away<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t have to be religious to donate your old clothes to someone in need. Gifting your old clothing to your nephew, cousin, friend, or someone you love to spend time with a lot is another cool yet surprising way to diminish the impact of carbon footprint to a greater extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What you donate doesn\u2019t have to be clothing in general, it could be your shoes you no longer need, your purse, or even day-to-day accessories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How does it work, precisely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Picture this: you purchase some fashionable clothes from your favorite denim brand and after a year passes by, you feel like you\u2019re no longer interested in wearing the denim you bought, so, you may either end up dumping it or purchase another pair of jeans online or at the nearest store. The apparel you dump will finally find its way to landfills or the ocean and will be responsible for the CO2 emitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if you don\u2019t throw it away, you\u2019ll avoid a huge amount of greenhouse effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is okay if you don\u2019t want to donate your clothes to someone, we don\u2019t force you to, however, if you can\u2019t help but shop more often, we suggest you do it when it very necessary to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is offering clothes to the poor the only thing that works?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not really? If you\u2019re financially strong, you may also donate some percentage of the money you earn to one of the best climate change charities. We\u2019ve come across the following charities that accept donations from people from different parts of the world:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Coalition for Rainforest Nations<\/li><li>A Growing Culture<\/li><li>NATIFS<\/li><li>Fashion Revolution<\/li><li>Earth Justice<\/li><li>Clean Air Task Force<\/li><li>Sandbag<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> keep track of the different initiatives organized in different parts of the world. See what activists are doing to help keep this planet green and healthier and join them if possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wouldn\u2019t it be satisfactory if\u2014to maintain a balance\u2014companies planted a tree for every product purchased by the customers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, there are brands that do that and Amour Vert is one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, next time perhaps you could shop from those sustainable brands that plant a tree for every product sold and take a step towards keeping the air as fresh as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, when you donate your invaluable money, make sure the non-profit organization you\u2019re donating to is actually a certified one. Don\u2019t donate the money unless you\u2019re 100% sure that you\u2019re offering your money to the right organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fast Fashion Problems for Workers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The fast fashion that exists in the industry is not only concerning for the consumers, it is way too wicked for the <strong><em>workers <\/em><\/strong>as well. Every day, hundreds of thousands of workers have to work in unsafe working conditions so they could get minimum wages. Although for the most part young and underage workers have to struggle through this, in some unethical companies, aged workers may also suffer from fast fashion problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fast Fashion Solution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In short, if you want to diminish the impact of fast fashion, always <strong><em>buy from sustainable brands<\/em><\/strong> that we\u2019ve vetted in our blog segment, or you could become a helping hand for the poor or the people in need by <strong><em>donating<\/em><\/strong> the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can&#8217;t donate money, donate your clothes. That way, you will not have to cast aside your clothes. And, if you can&#8217;t even do that, have them recycled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If none of this is your cup of tea, you could <strong><em>shop less<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Wrapping Up!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s no secret that fast fashion is killing the planet and our ethics. Workers don\u2019t get the appreciation for the work they do at the factories, and they often times have to work more. This serious issue mostly happens in developing countries as opposed to developed ones. This major impacts the women since around 80% of workers in the fashion industry are female.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, are you ready to shop sustainably?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think twice about nature before you add your favorite apparel to the cart and then make an informed choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Happy sustainable living!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What comes to your mind first when you hear about fast fashion? While we don\u2019t know what exactly it is, but we can say for sure that it must have something to do with the environmental impact. If you\u2014in recent times\u2014visited a fashion outlet and got your favorite T-shirt or denim with the \u2018absolute bargain\u2019, <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4863,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3655"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3655"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3655\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4863"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}