Do our fashion choices affect the environment? Part 1
Part 1: Tracing the hidden footprint of fast fashion
Buy, wear, discard, repeat. Has the time arrived to press the brakes on fast fashion?
Running behind fleeting trends, how often do we pause and reflect on our carbon footprint? Behind the price tag of every new outfit is a conveniently concealed environmental cost that we can no longer afford to ignore.
The fashion industry emits 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 yearly and every second, a truckload of clothes is being dumped into landfills.
The research and stats show us the obvious: fast fashion is growing at an uncontrollable rate, there’s design theft happening in sweatshops. Luxury brands we celebrate as trend setters are no saints but the reason behind forced labour.
Adding new fits to our closet every season and staying in trend might be a thrilling and psychologically rewarding experience. But, is the dopamine hit worth the environmental cost?
Carbon footprint
The carbon emissions of the aviation and shipping industries have been in the limelight for long enough now. But, did you know the fashion industry accounts for a whopping 10% of total global emissions - which is more than both of the above giant polluters combined?
The use of harmful chemicals in production, and reliance on synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are major contributors to climate change. Some of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors and carcinogens dubbed as forever chemicals, as they reach human bodies through water and never leave. These materials take centuries to degrade and produce harmful greenhouse gases in the process.
The oceans seek freedom from micro-plastics
For the sake of convenience and cost cutting, about 60% of the textiles today are made of synthetic, non-biodegradable fabrics which are a type of plastic.
More plastic is disguised as buttons, zippers and embellishments and often goes unnoticed even by conscious shoppers.
Building on this, laundering these polyester clothes releases microplastics into the water streams, contributing to 35% of microplastics in the oceans. Today, microplastics are found in human blood, the brain, to newborn babies, knowing little of the harm these can cause to our bodies.
Does your wardrobe add to the water crisis?
The effects of fast fashion spread to add to the growing concern of global water scarcity. It takes 3,781 liters of water to make one pair of jeans, a considerable amount of it spent towards growing cotton - one of the thirstiest crops.
Every year, 93 billion cubic meters of water are used by the fashion industry, which can comfortably meet the water needs of five million people. Fast fashion also involves ample use of chemical textile dyes that are let out into freshwater streams. The contamination further affects every stage of the ecosystem.
Are we giving up on ethics?
Besides the alarming environmental hazards, the basic human rights of textile workers are in question. Every time you choose stylish pieces from well-known luxury or fast fashion brands, you might also be unintentionally choosing to forgo ethics.
A 2018 US Department of Labor report confirms forced and child labour in the fashion industry in 9+ countries including India. In most cases, these workers live in areas polluted by textile factory emissions and are often exposed to the risks of contaminated water. Behind every fast fashion garment is the hidden plight of forced labour and poor working conditions.
On the bright side
If you’re a conscious consumer reading this, maybe it’s not too late to save the planet.
Sustainable fashion is gaining momentum. The United Nations agencies are working towards achieving a circular economy for fashion. The Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Change has emerged with the aim of achieving zero emissions textile industry.
Brands are waking up to the final call to build a greener future and more eco-friendly fashion brands are on the rise. Rigid certifications are established to enable brands to measure their fashion footprint and make the shift towards slow fashion. Fashion consumers are encouraging ethically sourced fashion can be the future
At Jiwya, we believe, the answer to concerning fast fashion is switching to a purely plant-based fashion model.
Hand-made statement pieces that are soft on your skin, and better for the earth. Zero-waste production process where every hand involved is treated with respect. Luxury and style that doesn’t come at the expense of the planet.
We envision a zero-waste sustainable fashion industry where we shop mindfully, wear our clothes for longer and be responsible when bidding adieu.
Follow us along and join the movement towards plant-powered sustainable fashion.
Enjoyed reading this? Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series where we dive into the impact of our fashion choices on animal welfare.
