What Are Examples of Unsustainable Fashion Practices?

The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental degradation and social inequities. While sustainability is gaining momentum, many practices still persist that harm the planet and exploit workers. Understanding these unsustainable practices is essential for fostering meaningful change within the industry.

Examples of Unsustainable Fashion Practices

• Fast Fashion Production:
  Fast fashion brands prioritise speed and low costs, producing large quantities of clothing that are often discarded after minimal use. This model contributes to excessive waste, overconsumption, and resource depletion.

• Synthetic Fibre Use:
  Fabrics such as polyester and nylon are made from petroleum-based materials, which are non-biodegradable and emit microplastics into the environment during washing. These fibres account for a significant portion of pollution in oceans and waterways.

• Overproduction and Overstocking:
  Many brands produce surplus inventory, leading to unsold clothing that is often incinerated or sent to landfills. This wasteful cycle consumes resources without serving a purpose.

• Chemical-Intensive Processes:
  The dyeing and finishing processes in fashion use toxic chemicals that pollute water sources, harm aquatic life, and pose risks to workers’ health. Traditional cotton farming also relies heavily on pesticides and fertilisers.

• Poor Labour Practices:
  Unsustainable fashion often exploits workers in low-income countries, subjecting them to unsafe working conditions, low wages, and excessive hours. This unethical treatment prioritises profits over human dignity.

• Excessive Packaging:
  Many fashion items are shipped in single-use plastics or excessive packaging materials, which contribute to environmental waste and pollution.

• Short Product Lifecycles:
  Brands that encourage frequent purchases through constant trend cycles create a culture of disposability, undermining efforts to extend the lifespan of clothing.

Environmental and Social Impacts

The environmental and social costs of unsustainable fashion are vast:

• Environmental Degradation: The fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of wastewater production. Unsustainable practices exacerbate these issues, leading to biodiversity loss and climate change.

• Waste Accumulation: Each year, millions of tonnes of clothing end up in landfills, where synthetic materials can take centuries to decompose.

• Worker Exploitation: Low wages and unsafe conditions in garment factories perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality in many regions.

How to Spot Unsustainable Fashion

• Low Prices with High Volume: Ultra-cheap clothing often indicates unsustainable materials and unethical labour practices.

• Lack of Transparency: Brands that do not disclose information about their supply chain or environmental impact may be engaging in unsustainable practices.

• Short-Lived Trends: Collections that heavily promote fleeting trends encourage overconsumption and waste.

By recognising these unsustainable practices, consumers can make more informed choices and advocate for systemic change. Transitioning towards ethical, transparent, and sustainable fashion models is essential for mitigating the industry's harmful impacts and ensuring a better future for both people and the planet.