New Era of Fashion! When Style Becomes a Burden on the World—How Can We Adapt?
- Mar 31, 2025
- 3 min read
We live in a fast-changing era, and the fashion industry has become one of the key drivers adding to the burden on our planet. The world is facing an increasing amount of textile waste due to the rise of fast fashion, which is fueled by ever-changing consumer demands and endless seasonal promotions designed to entice shoppers.
"Fashion! A Must-Have, Flash Sale, Buy 2 Get 1 Free, 50% Off, Hurry Before It's Gone!"
An enormous amount of clothing is produced to meet demand—often exceeding necessity. As trends shift rapidly, these clothes are discarded just as quickly. It’s safe to say: "In fast, out faster!"
Data reveals that the textile industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes massive amounts of water. For example, producing just one pair of jeans requires 7,500 liters of water.
On top of that, discarded clothing takes decades to decompose, potentially releasing toxins into the soil and water. These issues can no longer be ignored, as they contribute directly to global warming.
When Clothing... Becomes a Burden
If we take a look at the clothes in our closets, many may not realize that behind those garments, massive amounts of resources and energy are used—such as cotton production, dyeing, and transportation. The unfortunate result is that many clothes are discarded before they are even fully used, turning into waste that is difficult to decompose.
This change is not solely dependent on the fashion industry; every consumer plays a crucial role in creating choices that can help solve this problem. For example, buying second-hand clothes, choosing brands that care about the environment, or reducing the amount of clothing purchased and making it last longer. Every small change can make a big impact, so that fashion is not just about style, but also about taking care of our planet.
Fast Fashion: The Villain Behind Beautiful Clothes
The rise of fast fashion has caused severe environmental problems. Massive amounts of clothing are discarded every year, especially in the U.S., where around 85% of textile waste is landfilled or incinerated. This is equivalent to a full garbage truck being dumped into a landfill every second. Given this, do you still think these issues are small?
Only 12% of the materials used in clothing worldwide are recycled. The main reason is the complexity of fabric composition and material blending. For example, a t-shirt made from 100% cotton may have labels and threads made from polyester. Separating these materials before recycling requires significant manual labor and time.
Vivienne Westwood, the legendary fashion designer and queen of punk fashion, once said briefly but meaningfully, "Buy less, choose better, and wear longer." This advice reflects the idea of addressing the issue of excessive consumption, which is a major cause of environmental impact in the rapidly growing era of fast fashion.
What to do? Use things, but still care for the planet.
For us, small changes in daily life, like choosing second-hand clothes for sustainable fashion, can be a great option for long-term use. This choice helps reduce the environmental impact caused by the fashion industry. However, we must also choose clothes that are of good quality and hygienic.
Another option, for those who prefer new clothes, is to choose high-quality garments that last longer and support brands with eco-friendly initiatives. This is a great solution and promotes sustainable fashion, which will have a positive long-term impact. Together, we can all be part of creating a better future by starting with small changes today. If anyone has ideas or interesting thoughts, feel free to share and exchange opinions!
อ้างอิง : Earth, Waste Managed, Sustainable Discovery, BBC
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