Fast Fashion Is Ruining Peoples Lives And Our Planet

Picture this, You just got paid and decide to stop by H&M to buy a new t shirt, you enter the store and you are greeted with a smile, the music is welcoming and there is a sale! Everything has a feel good vibe and you don't see any harm in buying this t shirt. Although this purchase may seem harmless, it really isn't. "Fast fashion, which means mass producing clothes that are up to date with the most recent fashion trends for relatively low prices, is an environmental issue. According to a report from 2017 by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the fashion industry is contributing more to climate change than both the aviation and shipping industries combined. Besides the large amount of clothes that are produced annually, the choice of material for these clothes is another issue. Many of our apparels contain plastic material, such as polyester, nylon, and polyamide. Every time these clothes are being washed, plastic microfibers end up in the ocean and consequently enter the food chain." On top of the waste of 20% of global water made to make these cheap, fast fashion items, There is still an annual waste of 26 Billion pounds of clothing waste entering our landfills.

With all of these clothes being massed produced, we have to ask ourselves; "Who the hell makes all of these items of clothing?" The answer is simple and also terrifying. Many people seem to think that slave labor is over with and that it is a thing of the past but slavery is very much a thing of the present. All of your favourite fast fashion brands like ~H&M ~Forever21 ~Nike ~Fashion Nova and many other brands are hiring poor individuals (60% being women) in counties like Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam and places them in factories which forces them to work over 14 hour days for as little as 24 US dollars a month. Bangladesh is one of the most prime examples for the horrendous working conditions in these factories. Bangladeshi factory workers face devastating conditions. "Workers face unsafe, cramped and hazardous conditions which often lead to work injuries and factory fires. Since 1990, more than 400 workers have died and several thousand more have been wounded in 50 major factory fires. Sexual harassment and discrimination is widespread and many women workers have reported that the right to maternity leave is not upheld by employers. Factory management also take steps to prevent the formation of trade unions, a right protected under the Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining ILO Conventions, which Bangladesh ratified in 1972."

On top of sweatshops being a huge human rights issue they are also causes an environmental crisis. Making clothing uses many harsh chemicals. When these chemicals are used in sweatshops the toxic waste is poured into the surrounding area, polluting water and the land. The fashion industry is the second largest clean water polluter in the world , in addition the industry is the second biggest polluter in the world and produces 25% of the worlds chemical waste. Air pollution, acid rain  are also results of the of lack followed regulations. All of this causes ecosystem to become overtaxed and become unsafe, destroying the world we live in. This goes to say that sweatshops are a bigger problem than you or me buying a T shirt made by slave labour. It is an environment hazard that is degrading our people and our world we live in. Next time you want to buy a new dress, T shirt or pants, think again and go to your local thrift store to find a vintage ethical brand or research your favourite stores before paying them a visit. The people behind the clothes just might thank you. Shop lovingly, Lilian XO #zerowaste #slavery #sweatshops #ethical #planet