The Rapid Fast Fashion Epidemic
By Betilehem Mehari & Urja Khanal
What is Fast Fashion?
Fast fashion can be described as a business model that aims to produce trendy clothing items at both high speeds and low prices. Since 2000, clothing production has nearly doubled globally as a direct consequence of this model.
Fast fashion has risen in popularity due to its affordability and accessibility. The clothes are cheap and mass-produced. Unfortunately, the reasons behind this are cheap labor, mass production, and various ecological consequences. These clothes are meant to be bought and discarded quickly, so that the consumer can move on to the next big trend.
Environmental Impacts
It is estimated that more than 92 million tons of textile waste are generated annually. Unsurprisingly, most of this waste stems from the fast fashion industry. Since the garments are only meant to be worn a few times and thrown out, they often end up in landfills.
Creating textiles through an incredibly water-intensive process: Processes such as cotton cultivation and dyeing require a lot of water. In 2015, the fast fashion industry used 79 million liters of water alone. For reference, creating one cotton t-shirt requires 2,700 liters of water.
The use of harsh chemicals for the production of textiles: Found in dyes and finishing agents, these chemicals eventually reach nearby waterways, contaminating local aquatic ecosystems. This problem is amplified by the fast fashion industry because it tends to occur in countries with weaker regulations, which just so happen to be the countries where labor is cheap and where manufacturing is outsourced.
The overproduction of CO2 emissions: It is estimated that the fast fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of all CO2 emissions. That’s more than international flights and maritime shipping combined! Most fast fashion textiles are made from synthetic materials, which require the use of fossil fuels. Undoubtedly, fast fashion significantly contributes to climate change.
What does fast fashion do to humans?
As the popularity of micro-trends continues to rise, clothing appears to be increasingly cheaper and releases new selections on an almost weekly basis. As fashion trends are rapidly changing, clothing prices are also plummeting. With that, many of us tend to accidentally absorb 60% of toxic chemicals from fabrics like nylon and polyester through our skin barrier. Without us noticing, factories can fit 8,000 unwanted chemicals into a single clothing item. This natural process allows these chemicals to be easily absorbed into the bloodstream within 26 seconds. For instance, triclosan is a common toxic chemical that helps with sweat absorption or ‘stench-reducing’ athletic wear, which can be quickly absorbed when heat is exposed on the skin, the sweat that is worked up from exercise. Acting as estrogen, this chemical can increase the risk for breast cancer, cause hormone imbalances, and be resistant to certain bacteria.
If that doesn’t convince you of how harmful fast fashion is, its production enables child labor and lower-developed countries to exhaust their workers with unethical wages. In addition, many employees of these immoral factories experience multiple accidental injuries or deaths, chronic life-threatening illnesses such as cancers and lung disease, and reproductive risks.
What can you do?
1. Consume Less, Choose wisely
Prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to clothes. Choose timeless and durable pieces that you know will last. Avoid impulse buying and following trends.
2. Buy Second-hand
Buy clothing from secondhand sources, such as thrift stores, online resale platforms, etc.
Use nontoxic detergent:
Washing your clothes less or with natural detergent is also helpful. Through these choices may seem tedious, you’re not putting your body in jeopardy with endocrine disrupting chemicals. Nontoxic detergent brands including Dropps, Puracy, and Dedcool are great starters into making a change for your health.
References
Elaina Simonsen. “The Fast Fashion Epidemic | UCLA Sustainability.” UCLA Sustainability, 16 Feb. 2024, sustain.ucla.edu/2024/02/16/the-fast-fashion-epidemic/.
Niinimäki, K., Peters, G., Dahlbo, H., Perry, P., Rissanen, T., & Gwilt, A. (2020). The Environmental Price of Fast Fashion. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 1(1), 189–200. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-020-0054-x
Pharmacy Journal | Pharmaceutical Journal | The Pharma Innovation Journal. (2025). Doi.org. https://www.doi.org/10.22271/tpi
Wu, Tiffany. “Fast Fashion - a Danger to Health | New Roots Institute.” Www.newrootsinstitute.org, 8 Dec. 2020, www.newrootsinstitute.org/articles/fast-fashion-environment-health.
