Welcome to Ignorance is My Privilege, the column dedicated to breaking down the ignorant bubble we live in, separating us from the very real issues in our world. Today’s topic addresses fast fashion and how it affects us as students in New Brunswick.
It is safe to assume that if you’re reading this, you are at least familiar with the term “fast fashion” and have heard of companies such as Shein, Romwe, etc. You also have the basic understanding that fast fashion is mass-produced, usually in developing countries, with questionable (usually negligent) ethical practices. This is all true; however, there is more that you may not know that can be incredibly eye-opening.
Firstly, though the more globally recognized and ridiculed brands such as Shein, FashionNova, and Romwe lie at the forefront of the discussion regarding fast fashion, it is very likely that many of your favorite brands that you weren’t even aware of fit under this category as well. Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, Old Navy, American Eagle, Banana Republic, and many more. They cracked the code, figured out the algorithm for profit maximization, disregarding the social or environmental costs, and started the classic pump and dump. But again, why should this matter to you? Now I’m telling you that almost every brand is considered fast fashion, so how does it matter where you buy from?
Let me put it into perspective. It takes 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt. It takes 2,000 gallons of water to produce one pair of jeans. Now multiply this by the thousands that are produced daily for one company. Multiply this across every company you can think of. The image is harrowing. Not only is water used in the production of clothing, but it is also polluted in the aftermath of production because all the dyes and chemicals used in the process end up being dumped into nearby streams and rivers and harming or reducing freshwater resources. Additionally, even washing clothes releases five hundred thousand microfibres into the ocean each year and slowly deteriorates the delicate, beautiful ecosystem that exists within it.
Now, we are privileged because we only hear about such impacts but don’t have to bear witness to it and be in that developing country with the polluted (or exhausted) water source, with pounds of textile dumps in disarray, and as a victim of unethical practices.
You may be wondering, though, how you as one person make an impact and help break down these billion-dollar industries? The unfortunate truth is, you alone cannot dismantle the web of consumerism and mass production that has become cyclical to the global fashion industry. However, you can be educated about the impact that fast fashion makes, and of the waste that you as an individual may create, and buy more sustainable fashion if you can do so.
Specifically, as college students, living in the United States, being cognizant of what you buy and from where can make a big difference to your waste at the end of the year. Research shows that the average American generates 82 pounds of textile waste a year. This all stems from consumerism, buying items in bulk because they are available cheaply, but not thinking intuitively about what you will wear and what clothing items you need. I’m guilty of this as well, but together, by remembering that true sustainable fashion emphasizes “less is more” and being more mindful of the purchases you make to avoid more wastage, can help so much.
Additionally, while you alone cannot dismantle a fast fashion brand, instead of continuing to give them a profit, you can buy clothes second-hand! This means thrifting, supporting your local businesses, or even shopping online on websites like ThredUp, Poshmark, and Depop. Or even investing in sustainably produced clothing, though I know that as students, the steeper price of such items may be a bit of a roadblock. But remember, even on these websites or in thrift stores, buy intuitively! At the end of the day, I believe that as long as we are educating ourselves and trying to eliminate our waste, that is a good start.
The reality is that this global, billion-dollar industry is not going to go away overnight, but by being ignorant about it, we are not helping anyone, so please continue to educate yourself and educate others.
If you are looking to get involved on campus in organizations already working to address the impacts of fast fashion or promote sustainability, I suggest taking a look at: RU Thrifty, Students for Environmental Awareness, and Climate Reality. I would love to highlight local and Jersey-based efforts for sustainable fashion as well in the future, so let me know if there are any places or organizations on campus that I missed mentioning!
Ignorance is our privilege; let’s work to be less ignorant about the fast fashion industry.