Politics

Negative impacts of fast fashion in South Asia

As fast fashion becomes more and more prevalent in western societies, the environmental, economic, and political repurcussions begin to come to light.

Ashna Akepati | August 17, 2021

Have you ever shopped at H&M, Forever 21, Gap, or at other stores that sell cheap clothing which has been made by mass-market retailers? If that is the case, then you have participated in fast fashion. Fast fashion is the selling and production of cheap, currently trending clothing on a massive scale. Many fast fashion consumers, who often share a concern for environmental issues, continue to buy clothing that negatively impacts the environment and the health of others. While today’s generation is composed of activists who speak up against issues such as climate change and global warming, many fail to abandon fast fashion, even though given the numerous negative environmental impacts of fast fashion. It is imperative for the entire population to understand how fast fashion negatively impacts the environment, and the urgent need for reform. Impacts from the fast fashion industry include over 92 million tons of waste produced per year. With copious amounts of waste being produced, this can negatively impact the environment as it can generate methane gas, which can contribute to the greenhouse effect, thus speeding up global warming.

Global warming has been an issue of importance for decades, with temperatures rising extremely rapidly. While efforts have been made to reduce the impact of and reverse global warming, there has been minimal success. In addition, with the copious amounts of methane gas being generated due to the fast fashion industry, this is negatively contributing to global warming. However, we can all take steps to combat textile waste, such as by donating your clothes that no longer fit, not buying clothes in excess, repairing clothes that have small tears, and swapping your clothes by reselling them.

Just as fast fashion negatively impacts the environment, it also negatively impacts sweatshop workers in South Asia. These workers at the textile factories and sweatshops are underpaid and also face horrible working conditions. For example, in Karnataka, India, a “factory laid off over a thousand garment workers...without full pay.” In addition, workers face strenuous working conditions, where they are forced to work overnight and face sleep deprivation. For example, according to first-hand accounts from BBC, Indian women who are working at a Ralph Lauren supplier “had been forced to stay overnight to complete orders, sometimes requiring them to sleep on the factory floor”.

The injustices of the fast fashion industry have been noticed by many mainstream celebrities, such as Emma Watson, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Olivia Wilde, who advocate for sustainable fashion and educate their fans about the negative impacts of the fast fashion industry. While their efforts certainly don’t go unnoticed, is it enough to end fast fashion? While celebrities advocating for sustainable fashion can lead to fewer people purchasing those goods, it still does not completely stop the abuse and hazards that many textile workers endure.

For example, those who work in or live near textile manufacturing facilities face a serious environmental health hazard. The excess waste that is produced from such factories can radiate their negative health effects, and lead to an environment filled with toxins, due to the production of methane gas in large amounts, which can have a greater impact on those who work and reside near these textile factories. The health effects of methane gas include vision problems, nausea, memory loss, balance problems, and arrhythmia. The textile industry as a whole, including in South Asia and other locations, has also led to enormous amounts of industrial waste, with some estimates suggesting that the industry contributes to about 17–20% of global industrial water pollution. Water pollution can go on to kill a substantial amount of the aquatic life, which can negatively affect the marine wildlife/environment and the ozone layer/global warming inadvertently. Furthermore, water pollution can also spoil local water sources, which can lead to water shortages, and if people drink the polluted water, it can lead to various health conditions, such as cholera, typhoid, and polio. Given the numerous negative effects of the fast fashion industry, it is apparent that reform of the fashion/fast fashion industry is necessary, and consumers must let go of fast fashion and support fashion that is ethical and considers the environment while also giving consumers what they need. However, in order to do this, reform is imperative. Personally, I have participated in fast fashion in the past by shopping at stores such as Forever 21 and H&M. However, I realized how I was inadvertently harming South Asian textile workers by participating in fast fashion, and would like to advocate for reform, so that South Asian workers can face better, more fair working conditions and consumers can attain the goods they desire.