FASHION
the environmental impact of
Fast FASHION
Story by E’udrice Gildon | Photos by Casey Rothgeb | Design by Itzel Montoya Up to 85% of all textiles end up in landfills each year, according to Business Insider. Because of this, the same site also reports that the fashion industry is responsible for 20% of all industrial water pollution worldwide. Water pollution is only one of the many results that are attached to fast fashion, which is why it can be important to understand what fast fashion is and it’s environmental impact. What is Fast Fashion? Fast fashion has many different moving pieces that have a large impact on the fashion industry. “Fast fashion is a method that accelerates the normal apparel manufacturing process in order to produce new collections that can be seen in stores such as Zara, Forever 21 or H&M as soon as within two weeks,” says Abbey Obernberger, senior Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising major. One of the biggest appeals of this area of the fashion industry is the price point. “The big draw with fast fashion companies is the price point and how quickly they can produce more styles,” explains Allysa Swanson, customer service coordinator for Arvin Goods, an ethically-made apparel company based out of Seattle. “This would definitely draw the people who strive to follow trends as they can always add to their wardrobe and be up-to-date with the latest fashions. The pricing also targets a large part of the population who can’t afford designer or name brand prices,” says Swanson. Behind-the-Scenes Although the prices may be enticing, it can be beneficial to understand the underlying impacts 52
SPRING 2020 | ISSUE TWO
of fast fashion before purchasing your next crop top or fuzzy bucket hat. “[The manufacturing] process, however, is not very sustainable and with the large amount of materials and labor needed to sustain this process, it tends to take a toll on the environment as well as cause ethical issues when it comes to overseas factories and the treatment of their workers,” adds Obernberger. According to Andrea Eklund, professor and program director of Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising, the concept of fast fashion originates from the very beginning of the production process. She also explains that these items are typically of cheaper quality than other brands due to this rushed timeline. But what is considered to be cheap material? “Cheap would mean synthetic material, [or material] made from plastic. Easy to manufacture, so cheap to buy and cheap to make. Natural fibers are much better quality, but more expensive to manufacture,” explains Obernberger. According to Earth Island Journal, a publication from Earth Island Institute, a nonprofit environmental organization, “Most clothes are made out of synthetic fibers, also known as, plastics like nylon or polyester … Once created, they won’t decompose for hundreds of years.”
