Do you often find yourself looking at the clothes and shoes you wear and wondering “how bad is this for our environment?” Are you interested in learning more about the fast-fashion world to identify the flaws within it?
If so, then you might be wondering “why is fast fashion bad?”. In short, because it hurts our environment only to meet corporate demand. Fast fashion companies are so worried about their own self-interests that they disregard the needs of our planet.
See below for several dark truths about the fast fashion industry and why it’s become such a dangerous and toxic part of our society.
1. They Use Non-Biodegradable Materials
Sadly, most people roll their eyes when someone comes along and claims that fast fashion companies are toxic to our environment. However, the proof is in the pudding!
Look no further than the materials that they use to sell their products. They often use plastic wherever they can, which is a non-biodegradable (can’t be decomposed by living organisms) product.
Why do they insist on using plastic? Because plastic has a very low cost, can be manipulated into any figure they’d like and tends to last a while. In other words: so they can expand their wallets, spend less, and enhance their own company’s reputation.
Fortunately, there are companies out there that are actively trying to create earth conscious shoes for consumers. As a customer, it’s our job to broaden our minds to clothing options that surpass the eye test.
Contrary to what fast fashion companies would like you to believe, apparel isn’t always about aesthetics. If we fill our world with non-biodegradable products while trying to please others with our clothing choices, is that something we should feel good about?
Learn more about biodegradable products on the market. Spread the word about what you find. Make this world a better place to live.
2. Inhumane Working Conditions
The working conditions that stem from the demand for fast fashion business would disgust you.
Here’s the way that it works: factories are forced to react to demand. It’s sink or swims in this industry. Essentially, brands and fashion stores have all the control over the factories that they subcontract to produce their products at the lowest cost.
Let’s say that red Kangol-style hats were to explode in the fashion world. Suddenly, everyone is interested in getting their hands on one. As soon as this trend is realized, brands will go out and have facilities compete for their business.
Companies are only looking for two things during this search: low costs and quick turnaround times. Neither of which bode well for the factories that win their business. These factories push their workers beyond humane working limits to meet the fast fashion industry’s demands.
These factories don’t have working conditions. The workers don’t have anyone looking out for them. They’re literally forced to choose between working in tough conditions or not providing for their families. Don’t turn a blind eye to your brothers and sisters who are suffering.
3. They’ve Tricked Society
So how did we get to this point? Where along the line did we become blinded to the fast fashion industry’s poor priority choices? Why does society constantly give them a free pass after countless signs of a flawed system?
The short answer is: they’ve tricked us. They’ve found ways of appealing to the masses to get their way by lowering the prices of their materials.
Wait until the next time that a fast-fashion company receives bad press for their business operations. What’s the first thing they do? Drop the prices of their items. Just significantly enough for people to drop their better judgment and purchase the apparel anyway.
But here’s the catch: when the prices of the items fall, so too does the quality. Think of all the items that you’ve purchased for cheap. How long did they last? What return did you get on your investment?
4. They’re Leveraging Against US Workers
A few years ago, the hot topic was that American fast fashion companies were willingly taking their business overseas to exploit the low costs. So what did most companies do in reply? Brought jobs back to America.
As it turns out, that might not be much better. Rather than moving the production needs back to America and charging their workers a fair rate, they’ve brought the sweatshop conditions into the Land of the Free.
Many companies, such as Forever 21, have been sued on several occasions for forcing their workers to work long into the night without even earning minimum wage. The system isn’t fixed, it’s just made its way into our land.
5. Toxic Gases
Of course, the most well-documented aspect of fast fashion and “big business” is the harmful gases that these factories shoot into our atmosphere.
Almost all of the fibers that our clothes are made of are comprised of fossil fuels, which are a detrimental threat to both our water supply and air supply.
Fast fashion comes at a cost. Look no further than China’s poor air quality and an increasing amount of respiratory diseases as proof.
Why Is Fast Fashion Bad? It’s Killing Our Planet and Humanity
Now that you’ve seen the answer to your question of “why is fast fashion bad?”, be sure to apply this knowledge to your own life and, more importantly, spread it around.
Take a hard look in the mirror. Are you willing to sacrifice the well-being of future generations just so you can get shoes at a lower price?
Be sure to browse our website for more articles on fast fashion, as well as many other topics that you’ll find insightful and helpful!
