The United States purchases the most fast-fashion products in the world, and are blind to the environmental and human-rights repercussions because manufacturing and sourcing are done in low-income countries — they don't want us to see the truth. Many clothing manufacturers do not care about their workers — they are grossly underpaid, exposed to proven health-harming chemicals, microfibers, and have no support in basic human rights. Often the water and natural environments of low-income countries are sacrificed, so we aren't experiencing the climb in pollution and natural destruction in our own cities. FAST FASHION ACCOUNTS FOR ~10% OF GLOBAL CARBON EMISSIONS Textile production is a major contributor to climate change. It produces an estimated 1.2 billion tons of CO2...
Comparing fast fashion vs slow fashion helps us see some key differences between business as usual fashion and the way we could be doing fashion. One of the problems with globalized “fast” fashion is that it’s so dang complicated. A single garment can pass through hundreds of hands before reaching you, the consumer. A zipper can come from Bangladesh, while a seam can be sewn in Turkey. Our pieces of clothing are like a collage assembled in a global marketplace. The reason? Fast fashion brands scour the earth to find the cheapest source. The race to the bottom is one of the main problems with fast fashion. Tracking down where these sources are located and who did the work is...
Progress over perfection is not only important for making a stronger impact, it’s a way to make sustainability more inclusive. Read how to embrace imperfection in sustainability. “We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” -- Anne Marie Bonneau You may have heard the phrase “progress over perfection” when it’s applied to ideas like climate change action or sustainability. Whether it’s the fly less movement, zero waste, or vegan diets, sustainability messages sometimes sound more like rules and restrictions than a hopeful way to solve problems. Instead, we need everyone to join in with their own diverse, unique perspectives. Until our system catches up and everyone has access, affordability,...
Whenever the seasons change, it’s natural to want to switch up your wardrobe. You may decide to donate your unwanted clothes to charities. We’ve done some research so you know what to expect when you drop off goods at a donation bin and say good bye forever.
