The Plastic Problem in Fast Fashion: Unpacking an Overlooked Crisis
How many pieces of clothing have you worn throughout your life? Of those, how many can you currently account for?
Today, the average American is estimated to own approximately 165 pieces of clothing based on self-reported survey data. Across the globe, those survey results suggest an average of 148 pairs of clothing owned per respondent, typically including 62 tops, 25 pairs of pants, 25 dresses or skirts, 17 outerwear items, and 20 pairs of shoes. This represents a significant increase from historical trends. In the 1930s, American women were estimated to have owned about 60 items of clothing, with only 5 new items purchased annually, and these garments were worn for years, often repaired or repurposed when damaged. Today, the average piece of clothing is estimated to be worn only 7-10 times before being discarded, and the number of uses prior to disposal has declined over time. The modern consumer appears to have an insatiable appetite for new and novel clothes and fast fashion brands like H&M, Zara, Shein, Uniqlo and others have seemed happy to meet the demand, flooding the market with attractive styles and ever-more-affordable items available at the click of a button.
While fast fashion offers an endless cycle of new trends at affordable prices, this convenience comes at a hidden cost to our planet—one steeped in plastic waste, harmful chemicals, and a staggering lack of biodegradability.
Polyester and Plastic in Fast Fashion
Even as people are tending to have more clothes in their closet, a given article of clothing on average has gotten worse for the environment than it was 100 years ago. The global fashion industry churns out 80-100 billion garments annually, with 60% of of new clothing materials being comprised of polyester and plastic. Unlike natural fibers, polyester is derived from petroleum and is non-biodegradable. Each year, an estimated 342 million barrels of oil are used to produce polyester for textiles and textile production accounts for 42 million tons of plastic waste entering the environment. Once discarded, polyester garments can take up to 200 years to decompose in landfills. This is a sobering statistic when considered alongside the fact that 11.3 million tons of textile waste ends up in landfills annually in America, which is roughly equal to 85% of all textiles produced and the equivalent of 2,150 pieces of clothing being placed in a landfill per second. Globally, there is 92 million tons of textile waste every year
Moreover, the rise of synthetic blends, such as polyester-cotton or nylon, complicates recycling efforts. These hybrid fabrics are difficult to separate and often end up incinerated or landfilled. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), only 1% of clothing worldwide is effectively recycled into new garments.
Fast fashion's reliance on synthetic materials exacerbates the issue of non-biodegradability. Unlike cotton or wool, synthetic fibers such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon do not break down naturally. Instead, they shed microplastics—tiny plastic fibers less than 5mm in size—each time they are washed. According to a study by a team at Plymouth University, a single load of laundry can release up to 700,000 microplastic fibers into wastewater. These particles eventually make their way into oceans, where they are ingested by marine life and enter the food chain. In 2021, polyester fiber made up approximately three-fourths of the microplastics found in water from the Arctic Ocean.
This persistent problem adds a silent but devastating impact to an already unsustainable industry, emphasizing the urgency of addressing fast fashion’s environmental toll.
The Toxic Trail of Textile Dyes
The vibrant colors of fast fashion come at a significant environmental cost as well. Synthetic dyes used in clothing production are often made with toxic chemicals, including heavy metals like lead. In fact, textile dyeing is reportedly the second largest water pollutant. Approximately 20% of global wastewater pollution is linked to dyeing and textile treatment processes. Fast fashion wastes and pollutes an incredible amount of water throughout production with 2 billion pairs of jeans produced annually each requiring 7,000 liters of water to produce and a single T-shirt requiring 2,700 liters of water. Factories in developing countries frequently discharge untreated dye wastewater into rivers, harming aquatic ecosystems and local communities. These chemicals persist in the environment, posing long-term health risks to humans and wildlife alike. Despite growing awareness, the enforcement of stringent wastewater treatment remains inconsistent across many regions.
Steps to Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint
Addressing the environmental impact of fast fashion requires both systemic change and individual responsibility. While governments and corporations must adopt sustainable practices, individuals can also play a crucial role in driving change. Here are some steps you can take to minimize your footprint:
Choose Natural Fibers: Opt for clothing made from organic cotton, bamboo, or wool, which decompose naturally and have a smaller ecological footprint.
Support Sustainable Brands: Look for certifications like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or Fair Trade, which prioritize ethical and eco-friendly practices.
Buy Secondhand: Shop at thrift stores, consignment shops, or online resale platforms to give pre-loved clothing a second life.
Extend the Life of Clothing: Repair, upcycle, and donate clothes instead of discarding them. Acquire basic sewing skills to mend garments and make them last longer.
Host Clothing Swaps: Organize events in your community to exchange clothes you no longer wear.
Wash Smart: Use a microfiber filter bag or washing machine attachment to capture microplastics during laundry cycles.
Purchase Less, Choose Well: Focus on quality over quantity and invest in timeless, durable pieces.
Dispose Responsibly: Donate unwanted clothes to local charities or textile recycling programs instead of throwing them in the trash.
Advocate for Policy Change: Push for stricter regulations on textile production, wastewater treatment, and the use of synthetic fibers.
Educate and Raise Awareness: Share the environmental impact of fast fashion (such as by sharing this article) with others to inspire collective action.
Fast fashion’s convenience and affordability are no excuse for the environmental harm it perpetuates. By shifting consumer behavior and holding industries accountable, we can mitigate the damage caused by this unsustainable model. Let’s work together to eliminate plastic in the clothes we wear to create a cleaner, healthier future for all.
Sources: Capsule Wardrobe Data, Fabrickated, Economic Times, Greenpeace, Earth.org, UN Environment Programme, The Roundup.org, Cottonique, Ellen Macarthur Foundation, European Environment Agency, The Guardian, Ecocult, Phys.org, Ecotextile News
