Fast fashion is a major contributor to environmental pollution and waste. The industry is responsible for around 20% of global wastewater and 10% of global carbon emissions. Additionally, millions of tons of clothing end up in landfills each year.
In recent years, fast fashion retailers have launched resale platforms in an effort to reduce their environmental impact. However, a recent CNBC article by Gabrielle Fonrouge (https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/26/fast-fashion-resale-programs-do-little-to-reduce-emissions-study-says.html) suggests that these platforms are not as effective as they seem.
The article found that fast fashion retailers such as H&M, Shein, and Zara can only reduce their emissions by 0.7% through resale programs. This is because resale platforms do not address the underlying issue of overproduction. Fast fashion brands typically produce large quantities of low-quality clothing, which is often discarded after a short period of time.
In contrast, premium apparel brands like Ralph Lauren could reduce emissions by 14.8% with similar programs. This is because premium brands typically produce smaller quantities of higher-quality clothing that is more likely to be resold.
The study also found that resale platforms can have a number of negative environmental impacts. For example, the transportation of used clothing can generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, many resale platforms use plastic packaging to ship clothes, which contributes to plastic pollution.
Overall, the study suggests that fast fashion resale platforms are not a silver bullet for the industry's environmental problems. A more sustainable solution is to reduce the production of fast fashion clothing in the first place.
Slow Fashion: A More Sustainable Alternative
AELOO champions slow fashion - a movement that promotes sustainable and ethical fashion practices. It is the antithesis of fast fashion, which is characterized by high-volume production of low-quality clothing that is often discarded after a short period of time.
The benefits of slow fashion:
Reduced waste: By producing lesser but quality-focused apparel, slow fashion decreases the amount of clothing heading to our landfills.
Resource conservation: The use of sustainable materials coupled with eco-friendlier production methods implies water, energy, and other crucial resource conservation.
Ethical labor practices: Slow fashion isn't just about the environment; it's about people too. Workers in this space often enjoy better pay, safer working environments, and overall better conditions.
Sustainable Consumer Choices
Here’s what you can do to make a conscious effort to minimize environmental impact:
Embrace slow fashion: Look for brands that adhere to slow fashion principles.
Shop less, but better: Instead of purchasing numerous low-quality items, opt for fewer, durable pieces that won't need rapid replacements. For example, investing in a capsule wardrobe: https://www.aeloostudio.com/post/minimalist-fashion-how-to-build-the-perfect-capsule-wardrobe
Choose sustainable materials: Prioritize apparel made from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, hemp, or recycled materials.
Shop second-hand: Embrace thrift stores and online second-hand marketplaces.
Repair and mend your clothes: Before disposing of a slightly worn or torn garment, consider repairing it.
In conclusion, while fast fashion's resale platforms are a step towards a greener industry, embracing slow fashion offers a more comprehensive approach. It's about considering the entire lifecycle of a garment, from its creation to its eventual disposal. By adopting and championing such holistic practices, we all can play a pivotal role in reshaping the future of fashion towards sustainability.