Fast fashion is an approach to clothing production that favours fast-moving trends and low prices over environmental and social responsibilities. In the aim of rapidly producing high volumes of clothing, low-quality materials, poor supply chain management, trend replication and environmentally damaging practices proliferate. Our current consumption of fast fashion comes at a high cost, so we thought we’d put together some key facts around the subject to help highlight the need for change.
Key Fast Fashion Facts
1. The world uses an estimated 80 billion pieces of clothing every year, a 400 percent increase from two decades ago
Source: The True Cost
The affordability of fast fashion brands has led consumers to buy more than they need, with an attitude of disposability towards clothing.
2. One in three young women, the biggest segment of consumers, consider garments worn once or twice to be old
Source: The Guardian, 2019
Buying garments from fast fashion brands has never been easier, but this disposable attitude comes at the expense of factory workers and the planet.
3. Fast Fashion companies design clothes that fall apart quickly. They pursue a strategy called ‘planned obsolescence'
Source: Be Global Fashion Network
Not only does this strategy wasting raw resources unnecessarily, it purposefully designs garments to seem unfashionable to manipulate consumers to buy more garments.
4. 93% of brands surveyed by the Fashion Checker aren’t paying garment workers a living wage
Source: Fashion Checker 2020
It’s commonly known that fast fashion brands heavily exploit their workers based in developing nations, as the workers are frequently not union members. Unions aim to protect its members from unacceptable safety and hygiene conditions, endless working hours and low wages.
5. 80% of all garment workers are women
Source: Labour Behind the Label
Even though fast fashion brands have provided millions of women with employment opportunities, women are frequently exploited whilst working in clothing factories. They face poor working rights and pay, sexual harassment and bullying by male senior factory workers.
6. In April 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,138 people and injuring 2,500 people, making it the fourth largest industrial disaster in history
Source: Fashion Revolution
Nearly eight years on from the Rana Plaza disaster, fast fashion brands still have not learnt from their mistakes -garment workers are still paid below the living wage, still live and work in substandard conditions.
7. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions
Source: The World Bank
These high quantities of carbon dioxide come as a result of agricultural practices, processing techniques and transportation. Conventional cotton - one of the most widely used fabrics greatly contributes to carbon emissions.
We've pledged to reach Net Zero by 2030. Learn more about how we're minimising our impact in our 2021 Impact Report.
8. The textile sector is responsible for 10 to 20% of pesticide use
Source: Mckinsey 2020
The combination of the use of ‘open loop cycles’ and heavy pesticide use within the textile industry equates to an excessive amount of pollution and water contamination. Conventional cotton is one of the worst offenders, responsible for roughly 6% of the world's pesticides.
At Y.O.U Underwear, we only use Fairtrade and GOTS certified organic cotton because it's grown without pesticides and uses 71% less water than conventional cotton.
9. Less than 11% of brands are implementing recycling strategies for their items
Source: Peppermint Magazine
Fast fashion brands are also responsible for not recycling - but do not be fooled by discount codes offered to recycle old clothes! These garments rarely get recycled, instead this greenwashing technique is used as a strategy to drive more sales of disposable garments.
We've introduced a take-back scheme to make recycling your old underwear, socks and tights easy. Learn how they are turned into reusable products for industry here.
10. Extending the life of clothes by just 9 months of active use would reduce carbon, water and waste footprints by 20-30% each
Source: WRAP
To end on a positive, here's one way you can reduce the impact of your wardrobe! The longer you use your clothes, the lower their environmental impact. Discover other ways we minimise our water footprint here.
Keen to learn more about how to avoid fast fashion? Check out some of the following articles:
5 questions to ask any clothing brand you shop with
5 low-cost ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable
Sustainable fashion and certifications – what’s important?
Top tips for buying second hand clothes
By Isabella Richardson
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As a seasoned expert in sustainable fashion and environmental responsibility, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to shed light on the pressing issue of fast fashion. I've dedicated years to studying the fashion industry's ecological and social impact, making me well-equipped to dissect the key concepts highlighted in the article dated April 19, 2021.
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Fast Fashion Definition:
- Fast fashion is a clothing production approach prioritizing rapid response to trends and low prices over environmental and social responsibilities. This method often involves low-quality materials, poor supply chain management, trend replication, and environmentally damaging practices.
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Consumption Trends:
- The world currently consumes an estimated 80 billion pieces of clothing annually, marking a 400 percent increase from two decades ago. Fast fashion brands' affordability has led to excessive consumerism, fostering a disposable attitude toward clothing.
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Planned Obsolescence:
- Fast fashion companies deliberately design clothes to fall apart quickly, employing a strategy known as 'planned obsolescence.' This not only wastes raw resources but also manipulates consumers into buying more garments.
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Exploitation of Garment Workers:
- A staggering 93% of brands surveyed by the Fashion Checker do not pay garment workers a living wage. Fast fashion brands, particularly in developing nations, frequently exploit workers, subjecting them to poor working conditions, low wages, and, in some cases, harassment.
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Gender Disparities:
- About 80% of all garment workers are women, and despite providing employment opportunities, fast fashion often exploits women, exposing them to poor working rights, low pay, and harassment.
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Historical Industrial Disaster:
- The Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh in April 2013, where 1,138 people died and 2,500 were injured, remains one of the worst industrial disasters. Unfortunately, such incidents highlight the ongoing substandard conditions faced by garment workers.
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Environmental Impact:
- The fashion industry contributes to 10% of annual global carbon emissions, stemming from agricultural practices, processing techniques, and transportation. The textile sector also accounts for 10-20% of pesticide use, leading to pollution and water contamination.
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Recycling Challenges:
- Less than 11% of brands implement recycling strategies for their items. Fast fashion's lack of recycling efforts, coupled with greenwashing techniques, contributes to the environmental burden.
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Positive Impact of Extended Clothing Use:
- Extending the life of clothes by just 9 months of active use could reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20-30%.
By delving into these key facts, it becomes evident that the fast fashion industry necessitates a significant shift towards sustainable practices and responsible consumer choices. As an enthusiast in this field, I advocate for informed decision-making and highlight practical ways to reduce the environmental impact of our wardrobes.
