Fast fashion prioritizes affordable, mass-produced garments and fuels rapid turnover of trends designed to be worn only a few times. The industry generates around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, consumes vast amounts of water, and releases up to 500,000 tons of microplastics annually. Every second the equivalent of a rubbish truck full of clothing is discarded or burned, while only 1–2% of textile waste is recycled. Many garments are produced under exploitative labour conditions, disproportionately affecting women and children in developing countries. Vintage and second-hand purchasing extends the life of high-quality items and reduces the need for new production.
Fast fashion, which emerged in the 1990s, has changed global clothing consumption by prioritising affordable, mass-produced garments. However, this model comes with significant environmental and social costs. Socially, fast fashion is tied to serious issues like labour exploitation, particularly impacting women and children in developing countries, which continues to tarnish many big brands' reputations. The true cost of fast fashion The fashion industry produces around 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and uses a massive amount of water annually.
The fast fashion industry also releases up to 500,000 tons of microplastics each year. The most striking fact: every second, the equivalent of a rubbish truck full of clothing is discarded or burned, yet only 1%-2% of textile waste is recycled. In Europe alone, the average person buys 19kg of clothes per year and generates 16kg of textile waste. Consumption and waste
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