It is easy and sometimes refreshing to get rid of clothes but once they are gone where do you think about where it ends up?
Now imagine all the waste that builds up with the copious amounts of clothes being produced in the world of fast fashion, leading to more "spring cleaning" and disposing of clothes. Due to the cheap quality and mass production of fast the products live short-lasted lives they tend to quickly be disposed of and end up in waste. According to Xiaoyang Long and Javad Nasiry’s article, “Currently, nearly three-fifths of all clothing ends up in incinerators or landfills within a year of being produced” (Long and Nasiry, January 2022). There seems to be a continuous constant cycle of infinite amounts of clothes being produced which most end up going to waste.
No one has made efforts to make a drastic change to this production which clearly needs to happen because of the environmental impact it is having on the environment. There needs to be new laws and more regulations on these companies for how much they are producing. Where the unwanted clothes go also should be brought to attention because it does not seem possible to stop the trend of fast fashion due to the various amounts of benefits to consumers and the companies (which I discuss in another one of my blogs). Instead, the answer seems to be to work with the growth of fast fashion and learn how to find a balance, and solution to the waste and its negative environmental impact. Long and Nasiry’s article discuss solutions and efforts made by the government to reduce the waste.
With the increasing environmental impact of the fast fashion industry, a common response by governments is to implement stricter rules on the firm’s waste disposal practices. For example, a recent UK parliament investigation into the sustainability of the fast fashion industry discusses bans on “dumping clothes in landfill” and on “incineration of unsold stock” (Environmental Audit Committee 2019). After drawing public criticism for burning leftover inventory, some fashion firms are abandoning the practice and adopting alternative methods of inventory disposal (Paton 2018a). Imposing a higher cost for leftover disposal is to induce firms to produce less. ” (Long and Nasiry, January 2022).
Implementing regulations for these companies seems absolutely necessary but I also believe that education and more awareness should be brought to the consumers. A solution to the waste of fast fashion can come from both the companies and the consumer. There should be more efforts toward education on the harmful environmental effects of fast fashion shared with consumers. If there was more attention to the issue with campaigns or information around communities or cities people would tend to think twice about the clothes they order. Consumers may be more inclined to think about the quality or how environmentally friendly the clothes they choose to buy are. If there was more awareness in person or in media consumers would most likely not feel so guilt-free or easily buy, then quickly rid of their clothes.
Xiaoyang Long, Javad Nasiry (2022) Sustainability in the Fast Fashion Industry. Manufacturing & Service Operations Management 24(3):1276-1293. https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2021.1054
I completely agree, the answer to making fashion more sustainable and environmentally friendly comes from compromise on both the company and the consumer side of things. While government regulations are helpful, social movements can also be very impactful and I feel as though a campaign similar to the smoking kills/the real cost one that went around as we grew up could be very valuable in helping educate everyone, but especially the next generation, on the impact of their spending sprees. I have never really thought about where my spring cleaning really goes and this was very insightful!