Fashion - Yes. But at what cost?

After food and construction, fashion ranks as the third-largest polluter globally. It's responsible for 10% of total emissions, unleashing 1.2 billion tons of CO2 into the air, according to Earth.org, more than aviation and shipping combined. But that's not all. Around 85% of textiles end up discarded each year, equivalent to 17 million tons. Even washing clothes consumes vast amounts of water and releases microplastics into our waterways.

The Fast Fashion dilemma

The 'fast fashion' culture fuels this environmental crisis. Low-quality materials result in shorter clothing lifespans, and ever-changing trends drive higher consumption and more waste. This approach profoundly impacts the planet. Leather production relies on excessive chemicals, and polyester, a common fabric, comes from fossil fuels, releasing harmful microplastics into the oceans. More precisely, for 3 parts of leather, you need 1 of chemicals to process it. Even traditional cotton production uses pesticides and water in staggering amounts, posing risks of drought and water stress, especially in warmer climates like India and China.

The Human Cost

The industry's dark side also affects people. Fast fashion is notorious for unsafe and unethical working conditions, harming workers' physical and mental well-being as they endure forced labor and exposure to hazardous chemicals during clothing production.

Greenwashing in Fashion

The industry often practices greenwashing, introducing initiatives like recycled materials and take-back programs to improve their public image. Unfortunately, the actual impact remains minimal, with only 0.1% of collected clothing truly recycled. Some items advertised as made from recycled materials contain insignificant proportions of reused materials.

"Buy less, choose well, make it last"

Wellknown British designer Vivienne Westwood's wisdom resonates with us. Changing our consumption habits is the first step. Rekindle your love for existing clothes through upcycling, donate or share clothing with friends, and when clothing is truly unwearable, explore innovative ways to extend textile use on Iknyte.com. Old fabric can find new life in cleaning, cushion stuffing, or even as material for a laptop cover, inspired by 16-year-old Hope in Nigeria. Discover these and more sustainable solutions for your everyday life on Iknyte.

Join!

Do you have practical, sustainable solutions for the fast fashion issue? We'd love to share them on Iknyte and help others embrace a more sustainable fashion journey. Add your solution here or reach out to us directly at [email protected] or [email protected].