Fashion has become a form of personal expression. Low-cost brands have crowded city streets for years, and wardrobes grow without restrictions. A full outfit today can cost about the same as a single pair of trousers did in 1990. Social networks amplify consumerism, making fashion a rapid, impulse-driven pursuit.
Open Instagram or TikTok and you’ll see a flood of unboxing videos. Young people, especially women, reveal boxes from fast fashion giants like Shein, Zara, and Mango. The goal is simple: trigger a need that can be satisfied with a quick click, so fast that many shoppers don’t have time to pause and think.
The consequence is stark: racks and drawers overflow with clothes worn once or twice, often still new. Many end up in landfills. The environmental toll is hard to ignore: excessive water use, toxic substances in fabrics, emissions from distribution, and microplastics released during washing all contribute to pollution and waste.
Data show the scale of the issue. A United Nations report reveals that global clothing production doubled between 2000 and 2015. Today, the average person buys 60 percent more clothing than 15 years ago. Much of this low-quality, inexpensive apparel is discarded within a year, contributing to mounting waste.
Clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2015, according to a United Nations report
Fast fashion promotes multiple short-lived collections each year, shrinking the window of quality and increasing consumer turnover. As Greenpeace notes, many garments are so inexpensive they feel almost disposable.
10,000 liters for jeans
The excessive water used in factories making these clothes marks the first major ecological impact of this model. While estimates vary, manufacturing a cotton T-shirt can use about 3,000 liters of water, and jeans can require up to 10,000 liters.
Textile production is among the most demanding users of water and is responsible for a significant share of wastewater release. It accounts for a substantial portion of global water pollution and waste.
According to a ChangeMarkets Foundation report on synthetic fibers, synthetic textiles still dominate fast fashion. The report notes that 69 percent of textiles are synthetic, with projections suggesting this could rise to about 75 percent by 2030. Polyester remains a leading material, and synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels are a major climate challenge.
Fashion industry accounts for about 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions
Microplastics from washed fabrics enter waterways because treatment plants often fail to filter them out. Greenpeace estimates that hundreds of thousands of tons of waste enter the environment each year as a result of this flow.
Also worrisome are substances used in fabric finishes. Many cheap garments contain chemicals like formaldehyde, antimony, silver nanoparticles, plasticizers, flame retardants, and perfluorinated compounds. While there is no foolproof way to remove all particles, pre-wearing washing can reduce exposure somewhat.
Labor practices and global supply chains
A large share of low-cost fashion is produced in Asian countries, including China, Turkey, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, and Bangladesh, where production costs are very low. Transporting goods over long distances adds to pollution, and growing online shopping fuels more shipments and returns.
Recent estimates indicate that millions of people are employed in the fashion industry. Some workers endure long hours for minimal pay, and in certain cases child labor has been reported. This has led to warnings about the social costs of fast fashion and calls for responsible consumer choices.
Is there a path forward?
Experts from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which advocates for a circular economy, emphasize four core pillars: remove toxic fabrics and materials that shed microplastics, extend garment durability, use resources more efficiently, and enhance textile recycling. Producing garments from single materials can simplify recycling and reduce waste, though this requires rethinking design and production processes.
Spain is moving toward a more circular textile system, guided by updated waste laws that promote textile collection and prohibit simple disposal of surpluses. In early 2023, several multinational brands began collaborating to push recycling programs, marking a first step in transforming the industry toward sustainability.
A forward-looking voice in this space highlights practical strategies for ongoing change. The emphasis is on producing durable items, reducing returns, and guiding consumers toward thoughtful purchases rather than impulsive buys. Transparency about processes and certifications helps shoppers understand the true cost of sustainable fashion.
The supply chain can shrink its footprint by delivering directly from origin to consumer whenever possible and partnering with shipping firms that share environmental values. Reducing return rates by offering high-quality products and educating consumers about the impact of free returns is also part of the solution. End-of-life design, using single-material options, recycled or organic inputs, and avoiding mixed materials are pivotal steps toward true recyclability. A shift toward vegan fabrics and future innovations like fabric derived from plant fibers further supports sustainable aims.
The ongoing effort to promote responsible fashion includes industry-wide collaboration and clear, measurable targets. As the dialogue continues, the focus remains on practical changes that can be adopted by brands, retailers, and shoppers alike to reduce environmental impact while preserving style and accessibility.