The Story Behind What You Are Wearing
Look at what you are wearing right now. Do you know where it was made? Do you know who made it? If you are like the majority of shoppers, you do not know. You are most likely contributing to fast fashion which is defined as inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends.
You are probably throwing away or donating these clothes after a short period of time. Did you know that 85% of textile waste ends up in our landfills, even if it is donated? Also, 60% of these clothes in the landfills will never decay because they are made out of synthetic fabric fibers, derived from fossil fuels.
Microfibers from these fabrics also end up in the ocean, freshwater, and elsewhere. Not only is the environment affected by this industry, but so are the lives of people. For example, in 2013 there was a factory collapse at Rana Plaza in Bangladesh which killed 1,132 people and injured another 2,500. In 2013, the same year of the incident, Americans spent $340 billion on fashion, some of which was made at Rana Plaza just days before the collapse. Before the collapse workers were also pleading their employers to fix the hazardous conditions of the building. This collapse is not the only horrific incident that has happened to the people making your clothes.
Clearly, the people making your clothes are working in horrible conditions but that is not all. They are getting paid extremely low wages, making it difficult to live enjoyable lives. Also, most of the workers are women and young girls. There is also suspicion that children work in these factories making your clothes.
Now that you know more about what you are wearing, let's discuss what you can do to stop fast fashion.
Here is a list of how you can help:
You can stop shopping at fast fashion retailers like Forever 21, ZARA, H&M, and more.
Instead, you can shop at thrift stores or sustainable retailers like Reformation.
As for the clothes you have now, keep them for as long as possible.
When disposing of clothes, give them to a friend, sell them, reuse them (ex: old socks can be used as rags to clean), or donate them (to the homeless, thrift store, etc.)
Stop (or reduce how much you are) buying clothes with synthetic fibers (ex: clothes with polyester)
In general, buy fewer clothes and help make it trendy to rewear clothing.
The environment and the people making your clothes will thank you for your part in trying to prevent this huge issue. For more information see this website.
