The fashion industry might have changed massively over the last century, but some of those changes haven’t been for the better. The practices used in supply chains, material sourcing, shipping and creating collections can be harmful to our oceans and marine life.
But luckily, we can all make practical, sustainable changes and fashion-conscious choices to help our oceans and marine life thrive. Here, we’ll be explaining the fast fashion movement, how it’s damaging our planet and what can be done to reverse these negative effects.
What is fast fashion?
Fast fashion refers to the low-cost, high-volume production of garments modelled on the latest catwalk styles and current trends. Materials used are often unsustainable, cheap and low quality, meaning the clothing isn’t made to last.
The practice mainly benefits fashion brands since it means they can keep profit margins high while churning out many garments, but it can also be appealing to consumers looking for a bargain.
When did fast fashion start?
Fast fashion has been around for a while, although the term was first used at the beginning of the 1990s when Zara revealed their mission to shorten the design-to-sale pipeline to just 15 days. Since then, many other brands have followed in their footsteps with shorter timescales and a constant stream of newly released collections.
Recently, there has been more discussion about the negative impact of fast fashion and the need for improved sustainability in the fashion industry. Changes have been called for by numerous charities and sustainability organisations worldwide.
Negative impacts of fast fashion
With fast fashion practices now commonplace all over the world, what impact is this having on our ecosystems, habitats and oceans? We’ve listed some of the biggest impacts that conservationists and world-leaders alike are raising as issues.
Using more water
The fashion industry is the second-largest consumer of water in the world, contributing to increased carbon emissions and affecting ecosystems, habitats and communities.
Habitat loss
The materials used in fast fashion are often sourced unethically and with cheap labour, not to mention the fact that habitats are being cut down. And with around 35% of materials in the supply chain ending up as waste, this needless destruction is further damaging our planet.
Mass pollution in oceans
Fast fashion is to blame for 20 to 35% of all the microplastics flowing into the ocean and around a fifth of global freshwater pollution. Undoubtedly, this is impacting marine life such as coral reefs, marine ecosystems and the species living within these.
Importance of sustainable fashion
Sustainable fashion is timeless rather than trendy, sold in smaller and less frequently released collections, locally sourced, and can even be made-to-order to minimise unnecessary production.
The ‘slow’ fashion movement is essentially the opposite of fast fashion. It aims to slow down the negative effects of fast fashion by making consumers more aware of how clothing is made. Instead of churning out the latest trends with cheap fabrics, slow fashion encourages people to purchase better-quality fashion garments made with sustainable materials and fair practices.
Benefits of sustainable shopping
How can sustainable shopping benefit you and the planet? We’ve listed some of the positives, showing why it’s a good idea to switch your shopping habits:
- Lower carbon footprint: Sustainable practices like local manufacturing mean the carbon footprint of each garment is lower since it doesn’t need to be packaged, shipped and delivered.
- Reduced waste: Buying less reduces demand and forces brands to slim down production, which in turn keeps waste low.
- Lower costs: While sustainable materials might cost more, the cost per wear is lower for consumers. Plus, brands will be creating fewer garments and saving money on their number of collections.
- Save habitats: When materials are sourced with sustainability in mind, we can help protect habitats by not destroying them for clothing production.
- Lower pollution: Pollution from all aspects of fast fashion practices can be reduced by simply purchasing local, ethically made clothing with sustainable materials.
How to shop sustainably
While you might think you can’t influence the damage that large businesses are doing to our planet with fast fashion, there are still ways you can have a positive impact.
Shopping sustainably doesn’t need to be complicated or more expensive – here are our top tips and ideas for what you can do:
- Shop locally: Shopping locally lowers your carbon footprint from overseas shipping and delivery.
- Go into thrift or charity shops: Buying second-hand items is a great way to give fashion pieces a longer life.
- Shop at a local market: Whether it be clothes or fruit and veg, fresh, locally grown produce is not only more sustainable, but it can also help you save on the weekly food shop.
- Look for sustainability certifications on websites and in-store: Be more conscious of the sustainability policies wherever you shop.
At Bristol Aquarium, we’re dedicated to ocean conservation and educating our visitors on its effects. To see our wonderful marine creatures and learn more about conservation and its role in preserving the oceans, come and visit us soon!