In 2022, the fashion industry had a global market value of more than $1.7 billion. Much of this revenue comes from “fast fashion,” a term used to describe cheap, on-trend clothing that takes popular ideas from celebrity culture. Fast fashion is far from ethical, and it does more harm to the environment - and to humanity - than you might realize. Fortunately, shopping for ethically manufactured clothing is the best way to reduce this harm.

The Trouble with Fast Fashion

Fast fashion’s impact on the planet is both environmental and personal. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) points out that the fashion industry is the world’s second-largest consumer of water. It is also responsible for an incredible 10% of the carbon emissions around the world, which makes it a leading contributor to global warming and climate change. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change estimates that these emissions will climb 60% by the year 2030 - a dangerous and frightening prospect. 

Fast fashion also negatively impacts people and communities. In 2018, the US Department of Labor linked the fashion industry to child labor in several countries, including Indonesia, China, India, Turkey, and more. In Bangladesh, women earn an average of only $96 a month making garments, which is 3.5 times less than what is required in that nation to live above the poverty 

5 Reasons to Buy Ethically Manufactured Clothing

You can do your part to reduce fast fashion’s social and environmental impact by searching for and buying ethically manufactured clothing. There are five major reasons to say goodbye to fast fashion and hello to garments that are socially and environmentally responsible.

• The workers are fairly compensated. Ethical clothing brands pay the workers fairly and ensure they have access to reasonable benefits. These brands do not engage with manufacturing facilities known for child labor or “sweat shop” conditions. 

• The workers are safe and comfortable. Back in 2013, a garment factory spread over eight floors collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Because the facility prioritized profit over human safety, more than 1100 people were killed and another 2500 were injured. Ethical brands ensure the workers manufacturing their garments are safe and comfortable. 

• It’s better for the environment. Ethical fashion brands maintain a strict set of standards for manufacturing, and the facilities making their products work hard to develop and sustainable bikini brands strategies that produce fewer emissions and use less water. 

• It creates less waste. Ethical garments tend to cost significantly more than their fast fashion counterparts. While part of this has to do with ensuring fair compensation, safe work environments, and environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes, the higher price also discourages consumers from simply throwing things out. Furthermore, because ethical brands use quality materials and craftsmanship, these clothing items last far longer than cheaply-made fast fashion. 

• It improves communities on a global scale. The impacts of ethical manufaturing have a global reach, but communities benefit, as well. The local environment is cleaner and safer for everyone, and because the employees earn more, community fixtures like schools, roads, clean water, and even healthcare become more accessible and affordable. 

Shopping for ethically manufactured clothing is one of the best ways to reduce fast fashion’s global impact. From reducing carbon emissions and water consumption to providing countless thousands of employees with a livable wage, ethical clothing has the power to change the world for the better.