In this article we will be discussing fast fashion, its deadly consequences on our environment, and most importantly methods that will help you move away from fast fashion and towards sustainable life choices.
Let's start by discussing the need behind ditching fast fashion once and for all!
The importance of quitting fast fashion
Why is it so important to stop buying fast fashion? The answer to this lies in one simple statement. Fast fashion is extremely dangerous for our environment and is greatly endangering the sustainability of our planet. From its insanely high-water requirements that are contributing to water shortage to the release of toxins, greenhouse gases, and human right violation- practically everything is having devastating consequences on our environment.
The pollution problem caused by fast fashion is yet another dilemma. This is because most of the time polluted Wastewater from clothes factories gets dumped directly into rivers. This wastewater also contains untreated toxic substances like lead, mercury, and other arsenic materials that are extremely harmful to aquatic and human life. Important facts and figures
In countries for example Bangladesh, around 22,000 tons of toxic waste from tanneries goes straight into the waterways each year. This greatly disturbs the marine life there and creates an imbalance in its ecosystem.
The fashion industry is accountable for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Three out of five fast fashion garments end up in a landfill within hardly a year of usage Help Make A Difference Tags: Sustainable lifestyle, Fairtrade, Sustainable practices
I am sure by now you must be willing to make sustainable choices. I have mentioned below some small practices that you can adopt in your daily life that will assist you in this journey from fast fashion to sustainability.
1. Do not buy cheap products
No matter how appealing these deals may appear to be, avoid them. Most of the time when you see seemingly “high quality” goods at cheap prices, it is not really high quality but something that might not even last you a week.
Extremely low prices usually indicate either poor quality or low ethical standards that are made affordable by using unsustainable materials and unregulated human labor.
So the next time you see something suspiciously cheap, just walk away! 2. Investigate where products are made before making any purchase
Investigating where your product was made is also essential. Countries like New Zealand, Australia, Scandinavia, and Canada are among the most fashion-conscious who have ethical and sustainable work practices. While many others are notorious for the opposite, especially Asian Countries where child labor and other violations of human right is frightfully common. You can also easily track down which countries encourage sustainable practices like the Fairtrade system and make your purchases accordingly.
3. Do your research
Once you have limited yourself to buying only from those countries that follow sustainable practices, narrow down your research to companies and decide what works best for you. This task would be very convenient especially if you shop at major clothing retailers, you can find plenty of online resources on each company’s ethical track record. You can also keep a watch out for recommendations from trusted fashion blogs.
However, you must be mindful while doing your research. Always verify what you see online. Many companies like to boast about their certifications but it is important to look for independent sources of information to verify any such claims.
Learning to investigate the company's fashion practices may take a little bit of time but the work you put in will pay off. Conclusion:
Hence, it can be evaluated that fast fashion is highly unsustainable and is plaguing our planet which makes it incredibly important that all of us join hands and stand together to combat this global crisis.
Pledge today to make responsible choices. Take it one step at a time and switch to a sustainable lifestyle and play your role in ensuring that our planet survives a little longer.
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