As college students, many of us are finding new ways to identify ourselves. One of the ways I've noticed that college students first start to express themselves is by experimenting with fashion. Figuring out what makes you feel comfortable and confident through fashion is a great way to learn more about yourself; however, we may be paying the price for this form of expression. 

The fashion industry has a detrimental impact on the environment. [1] It seems strange that the fashion industry and the environment would have any connection at all; nonetheless, they are completely intertwined. What happens to the clothing we’re told to buy this season that goes out of style next month? Do they end up back on the rack, or in the landfill? Here is a quick look at the impact this industry and over-consumption have on our planet. 

•  The fashion industry is the 3rd largest contributor to climate change, making up about 10% of all CO2 emissions. Per year, this looks like about 1.2 billion tons of CO2 released into our atmosphere. [2] 
• About 85% of the clothing consumed in the U.S. alone is sent to landfills as solid waste. This translates to 3.8 billion pounds per year; 80 pounds per American. [3] 
• To produce a single cotton shirt, over 2,000 liters of water is consumed, which is enough water for someone to drink for 2 1/2 years. [4] In relation, the amount of water consumed by this industry per year amounts to 1.3 trillion gallons of water used for fabric dying alone. [5] 
• Between the years 2000 and 2014, the average consumer bought 60% more clothing but threw away that clothing twice as fast. [6] 

It may be disheartening to see these statistics, but there are ways to enjoy fashion sustainably. If you’re interested in fashion, but unsure how to participate without contributing to the issues at hand, here are some helpful tips. 

• Purchasing second-hand can reduce the environmental impact of textile waste. Some resources include: thrift stores, garage sales, and online second-hand stores. [7] 
• Participating less in trend cycles and buying clothes that will last can decrease the growing need for wasteful, unethical fast fashion companies. This action can also lead to companies recognizing the urgency for slower fashion production. [8] 
• Reusing and recycling clothes has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 52%, reduce water consumption by 95% and reduce overall chemical pollution by 45%. [9] 

Consumerism and fast fashion have turned the fashion industry into an unsustainable waste generator. As the buyer, you have the ability to choose a sustainable path. Creating a plan to participate sustainably is just the first step in fighting this problem. The real solution lies in the hands of industrial fast-fashion companies, who desperately need to reevaluate their environmental impacts. [10] I highly encourage you to take responsibility as the consumer to stop buying from unsustainable sources, and do research before making a first-hand purchase.  It’s time to start holding the leaders of this industry accountable for their wasteful, unethical actions.   

References 

1. Bick, R., Halsey, E. & Ekenga, C.C. (2018). The global environmental injustice of fast fashion. Environ Health 17, 92. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-018-0433-7  
2. Ibid. 
3. Whalen, V. (2022). Fast fashion and climate change 101. Action for the Climate Emergency. https://acespace.org/2022/06/17/fast-fashion-101/  
4. Bick, R., Halsey, E. & Ekenga, C.C. (2018). The global environmental injustice of fast fashion. Environ Health 17, 92. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-018-0433-7  
5. Drew, D., & Yehounme, G. (2017). The apparel industry's environmental impact in 6 graphics. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/apparel-industrys-environmental-impact-6-graphics  
6. Ibid. 
7. Farrant, L., Olsen, S.I. & Wangel, A. (2010) Environmental benefits from reusing clothes. Int J Life Cycle Assess 15, 726–736. 10.1007/s11367-010-0197-y 
8. Drew, D., & Yehounme, G. (2017). The apparel industry's environmental impact in 6 graphics. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/apparel-industrys-environmental-impact-6-graphics 
9. Leal Filho, W., Ellams, D., Han, S., Tyler, D., Boiten, V. J., Paço, A., Moora, H., & Balogun, A.-L. (2019). A review of the socio-economic advantages of textile recycling. Journal of Cleaner Production, 218, 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.210 
10. Bick, R., Halsey, E. & Ekenga, C.C. (2018). The global environmental injustice of fast fashion. Environ Health 17, 92. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-018-0433-7