There is no doubt about it, fast fashion is something that is a huge blight on our environment and on the way of life for those living in developing countries. Our desire to have clothes that match up with the latest trends instantly and cheaply is having an extremely negative impact on the ways that others around the world live, including their climate and the jobs that they do. 

We really need to slow down, to start wearing garments that we don’t consider to be throw-away items and to pay more attention to what we are buying. Have a read through our list of 5 things you need to know about fast fashion, we’re sure we’ll convince you to be more ethical with your purchases.

1. Manufacturers use a lot of chemicals to produce cheap cotton

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Even if you purchase an item that is 100% cotton, you can pretty much guarantee that toxic chemicals will have been used at some stage in its production. There are pesticides used to aid the growth of cotton as well as chemicals to remove those pesticides from your new item of clothing. They are not only bad for you but they can also find their way into the environment, destroying habitats for nature and poisoning water. supplies. Pesticides are extremely dangerous for the environment.

2. We are using up land and resources

It takes up a lot of land to grow natural materials to make garments as well as a lot of natural resources such as water and soil. It would, of course, be much better to put these resources to use in growing food so that we can feed the entire world adequately. It seems extremely unfair that there are people starving in the world, yet we have piles of clothes in our wardrobes.

3. Producing clothing contributes to climate change

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The production of clothing actually contributes to 3% of all the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that is often cited as one of the main causes of climate change. Greenhouse gases are needed in our atmosphere to absorb radiation from the sun to keep the planet warm enough to sustain life. With too much in the atmosphere, however, we are absorbing too much and are literally overheating our planet.

4. Living near a factory is horrendous

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Many of the factories that produce our clothing are in the developing world. Those living near them are lucky to have jobs but they are rarely paid fairly and they have to live among the pollution that the factory produces. Respiratory problems are extremely common among those living near factories and they ruin the lives of locals who are often unable to go outside because of the pollution.

5. Contributing to landfill

The contributions to landfills aren’t just only from us throwing a piece away when we are done with it. The factories and the industry itself are also wasting materials on mass. Mistakes are commonplace within the factories and these just end up on the waste pile. Factories also often overproduce and stores and brands often over order. If you stop and think about the waste that must be created throughout the industry it is extremely scary.