With an estimated 92 million tons of textile waste created every year from the fashion industry it is no mystery why environmental activists and the fashion conscious are calling for an end to the era of fast fashion. Over the past few decades it has become too easy for big brands to benefit off of cheap labour and consequently cheap prices for their customers. This, however appealing it may sound for a prospective buyer when a dress costs only £5, is becoming a huge issue both ethically and environmentally. 

 

The average garment worker in Bangladesh is payed 28 taka an hour which is equivalent to 25p. It is obvious that this is a major human rights violation however this continues to happen on a large scale behind closed doors and is the backbone to keeping the fast fashion industry booming. With information like this being easily accessible to the public through platforms such as google it is a shameful embarrassment that brands are not prosecuted or boycotted by their buyers in order to stop this. Furthermore, a survey conducted by the charity Oxfam found that new clothes bought in the UK produce more carbon emissions per minute than a car driving around the world six times. This analogy puts into perspective the detrimental and damaging effects that the fashion industry, in its current state, has on the climate of our already dying world. With such recent focus on environmental issues such as climate change it is preposterous that changes to the way we, as individuals, shop have not already been made, no matter how minor.

 

With apps such as Depop, Ebay and Asos marketplace easily accessible to us there is no excuse to not shop second hand, especially as many of the items are unused and in perfect condition. These apps also give a platform for small and independent businesses as well as individuals to make a profit while selling recycled clothes either vintage or handmade. Moreover, another sustainable approach to shopping is the charity shop industry with many available on local highstreets as well as some moving online too. They not only give the opportunity to buy second hand and unique clothes for affordable prices, but are also a way to recycle your own unwanted clothes that are taking up space in your wardrobe. So, next time you are shopping for a new dress or pair of trousers attempt to look at alternative methods that do not benefit the fast fashion industry and all that they endorse.