Ethical Aspects
Fast Fashion Issue Today
Research shows that in the past few decades, the European Union has seen a 40% increase in the amount of clothing purchased per person. This section discusses the implications in the ethical sides of the clothing rental business that could potentially solve various and enormous issues which have been generated by global fast fashion industry.
Low recycling rates and textile waste in landfills
There are serious concerns in terms of textile waste that is produced by mass production fashion industry on the globe.
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Every year, Europeans utilize around 26 kg of textiles and litter about 11 kg of them.
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Although they can be shipped and transported outside of the EU, the majority of used clothing which accounts for 87% is either burned or discarded on land.
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In Europe, only 1% are recycled into new clothing.
Numerous strategies have been put forth to address the problems, however those approaches have yet to become a mainstream of the fashion industry, therefore the increase in textile waste is believed to be continued for the foreseeable future, which brings harmful impacts on the environment.
Carbon emissions
The rise in carbon emissions on the globe has been incredible.
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Compared to the same period in 2022, greenhouse gas emissions from the EU economy are predicted to have decreased to 787 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents in the third quarter of 2023.
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The fast fashion industry is estimated to have contributed to producing a large proportion of the world greenhouse gas emissions as approximately 850 million tonnes of CO2 are released annually into the environment from the production, transportation, and consumption of clothing, which accounts for around 3% of all CO2 emissions
This indicates that the industry is considered to have expended high levels of energy that directly adulterates the air and harms the planet.
Water over exploitation and pollution
Environmental Consequences
Indeed, the fashion industry is not an exception of complicity in abusing in the use of water.
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The production of one cotton shirt requires approximately 700 gallons of water
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the production of a pair of jeans requires 2000 gallons
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The fashion industry is the second largest consumer of water.
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About 20% of the world's clean water contamination is said to be caused by the production of textiles, specifically by dyeing and finishing processes.
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Human rights
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Labour abuse
Behind the scenes of the growth of the fast fashion industry, the public do not seem to acknowledge that sales and profits in the clothing enterprises are prioritized over the welfare of people due to rapid production.
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80% of clothing is manufactured by young women in the 18 to 24 age range and evidence of forced and child labor in the fashion industry was discovered in 2018.
Unsafe working conditions
It is also important to comprehend that the labours that work in factories for the fashion industry are at risk of working under extremely unsafe conditions.
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In Dhaka, Bangladesh, an eight-story manufacturing building housing multiple textile companies collapsed in 2013, killing 1,134 workers and injured over 2,500 and more
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An expert argues that "the apparel sector has always been a low-capital and labour intensive industry".
Exposure to chemical products
It is vital to learn that the working conditions in the industry also have a negative impact on workers' health.
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8,000 synthetic chemicals are used in the manufacturing of fast-fashion garments where labours in factories are frequently exposed to and breathe in these chemicals, some of which have been found to cause cance.
Therefore, it is critical to have a concrete understanding of the consequences of producing clothes that affect human health, which the authorities should implement certain measures for protecting workers from any harmful substances.