The Impact of Fast Fashion

A Final Learning Evidence Presented to the Department of Philosophy

University of St. La Salle

Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement in Ethics

Submitted to:

Sir Dexter Gerasmia

Submitted by:

Carl Lucky Masbaño

December 15, 2023

 The phrase "fast fashion" has gained prominence in discussions about sustainability,

environmental conscience, and fashion. "Cheaply produced and priced garments that copy the

latest catwalk styles and get pumped through stores in order to maximize on current trends" are

the words used to describe the phenomenon. The fast fashion model gets its name from the speed

at which clothes are designed, produced, distributed, and marketed. This allows retailers to pull

large quantities of a wider range of products, giving customers more fashion and product

differentiation at a lower cost. The term was first used at the beginning of the 1990s, when Zara

landed in New York. “Fast fashion” was coined by the New York Times to describe Zara’s

mission to take only 15 days for a garment to go from the design stage to being sold in stores.

The biggest players in the fast fashion world include Zara, UNIQLO, Forever 21 and H&M.

Then why fast fashion? Because knowing it enables us to make more informed decisions. We

hope to gain knowledge about how to choose clothes that not only fit well but also reflect our

values and make the world a better place by delving into the ins and outs of fast fashion.

A Business Insider analysis claims that the production of fashion accounts for 10% of all

carbon emissions worldwide—more than the European Union does. While 85% of all textiles

end up in landfills each year, it dries up water sources and pollutes rivers and streams. An annual

total of 500,000 tons of microfibres, or 50 billion plastic bottles, are released into the ocean by

the simple act of washing clothes. There are 3 environmental impacts that are caused by fast

fashion. Water, Microplastics, and Energy are among the three. First is water, fast fashion has an

adverse effect on the environment due to its massive water and energy consumption, greenhouse

gas emissions, and depletion of non-renewable resources. With approximately 700 gallons

needed to produce a single cotton shirt and 2000 gallons needed to produce a pair of jeans, the
fashion industry is the second largest consumer of water. Because the leftover dyeing water is

frequently poured into ditches, streams, or rivers, Business Insider further warns that textile

dyeing is the second-largest water polluter in the world. Next is microplastics, according to a

2017 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the laundering of

synthetic textiles like polyester is responsible for approximately 35% of all microplastics in the

ocean. Microplastics are tiny, non-biodegradable pieces of plastic. Approximately 80 billion new

garments are consumed worldwide annually, a 400% increase from 20 years prior. Nowadays,

the typical American produces 82 pounds of textile waste annually. Large amounts of feed,

water, land, and fossil fuels are needed to raise cattle for the purpose of producing leather.

Additionally, the tanning process is one of the most toxic parts of the whole fashion supply chain

because the chemicals used to tan leather are not biodegradable and contaminate water sources.

These chemicals include formaldehyde, mineral salts, derivatives of coal tar, various oils, and

dyes. Lastly is energy, the energy-intensive process of turning plastic fibers into textiles uses a

lot of petroleum, produces volatile particulate matter, and releases acids like hydrogen chloride.

Furthermore, the production of cotton, a material used extensively in fast fashion items, is not

environmentally friendly. Farmers use pesticides that are thought to be essential for cotton

growth at their own health risk. But there are ways to counter these by using sustainable fabrics

such as wild silk, organic cotton, linen, hemp, and lyocell.

Fast fashion does not only have a huge environmental impact, In actuality, the sector

causes social issues as well, particularly in emerging nations. Eighty percent of clothing is made

by young women in the 18–24 age range, according to the nonprofit organization Remake.

Evidence of forced and child labor in the fashion industry was discovered in 2018 by the US
Department of Labor in a number of countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, China,

India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey, Vietnam, and others. Sales and profits are prioritized

over the welfare of people due to rapid production. According to the World Resources Institute,

businesses should develop, test, and finance business plans that maximize clothing's useful life

through reuse. To combat the harm that fast fashion causes, the UN established the Alliance for

Sustainable Fashion. "Halt the environmentally and socially destructive practices of fashion" is

what it aims to achieve. Personalized clothing is being tested by other retailers, such as Adidas,

in an effort to decrease returns, boost customer satisfaction, and lower inventory. By 2025, Ralph

Lauren plans to source all of its essential materials sustainably.

In the vast landscape of fashion, the term "fast fashion" unravels a narrative that extends

beyond the quick turnover of styles—it exposes systemic challenges that beckon our attention

and thoughtful responses. Understanding fast fashion isn't just about recognizing trends; it's

about acknowledging the environmental toll it takes. This industry contributes significantly to

pollution, water scarcity, and the release of microplastics into our oceans. Simultaneously, it

peels back the layers of the social fabric, revealing the exploitation of young women and labor

abuses in the relentless pursuit of profit. Yet, within these challenges lies an opportunity for

change. As consumers, our choices wield significant influence. Opting for clothes made from

sustainable materials and embracing a "less is more" mindset can propel us toward a future

where fashion aligns with ethical values and environmental well-being. Recognizing the impact

of fast fashion beckons a collective responsibility—a call to prioritize our planet and its

inhabitants over fleeting trends. In the wise words of Patsy Perry, "Less is always more." By

fostering awareness, making mindful choices, and advocating for change, we embark on a
journey to reshape the fashion landscape—one that not only dresses us in style but also uplifts

the world we live in. Together, let's choose better, not just for our closets but for the future of our

shared home. As we navigate towards this future, may our fashion choices reflect not only our

style but also our commitment to a more thoughtful and responsible world.
Sources:

https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/#:~:text=The%20Dark%20

Side%20of%20Fast%20Fashion&text=It%20dries%20up%20water%20sources,of%2050%20bill

ion%20plastic%20bottles.

https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-

water-2019-10#fashion-causes-water-pollution-problems-too-textile-dyeing-is-the-worlds-secon

d-largest-polluter-of-water-since-the-water-leftover-from-the-dyeing-process-is-often-dumped-in

to-ditches-streams-or-rivers-19

https://www.wri.org/insights/numbers-economic-social-and-environmental-impacts-fast-fashion

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-11-03/fast-fashion-sustainable