It is very clear that fast fashion is terrible for the planet, however many people don’t know the differences between fast fashion and slow fashion. As well as the differences in the amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases they emit.
Fast fashion is where clothes are made as cheaply and as quickly as possible in order to get them into shops. This means that sustainable practices are not normally used, creating a larger carbon footprint for these pieces of clothing. These clothes, as they are made cheaply, are not made to last, meaning you end up throwing it away and buying a new one more often.
Slow fashion is much more sustainable, as it is basically the reverse of fast fashion. Instead of getting clothes into shops as quickly as possible, these clothes are made in a much slower, more sustainable way. This is because the materials used are sourced from eco-friendly and natural materials, they tend to be made to last and, in many cases, they can be returned to the seller to be recycled. Therefore, the clothing does not become waste, like many fast fashion pieces.
Overall, the fashion industry releases 10% of our annual CO2e emissions. In regards to fast fashion and slow fashion’s emissions, fast fashion has a significantly higher CO2e than slow fashion, for example:
A pair of jeans produced by a fast fashion company creates around 20 to 33 kilograms of CO2e. A pair of slow fashion jeans, that have been made with ethically sourced materials, less water and where the company is offering repair and recycle services, has up to a 46% reduction in its effects on global warming, meaning that its CO2e is significantly lower.
To make sure you are making sustainable choices when you shop, make sure you do some research before you buy. When choosing a sustainable item, it is also important to check if a company is greenwashing before you commit to your purchase.
