UPCYCLE BEFORE YOU RECYCLE

The fast fashion industry has a number of environmental impacts that are cause for concern. Here are some of the harsh environmental facts of fast fashion in the clothing industry:

1. Water Consumption: It takes an enormous amount of water to produce clothing, particularly cotton. According to the World Wildlife Fund, it takes 2,700 liters of water to produce one cotton shirt – that's enough water for one person to drink for 2.5 years!

2. Chemical Pollution: Textile production involves the use of a number of hazardous chemicals, including pesticides, dyes, and finishing agents. These chemicals can be harmful to both the environment and human health.

3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, and the majority of those emissions come from textile production and transportation.

4. Waste Generation: Fast fashion encourages a throwaway culture, leading to large amounts of textile waste. In the US alone, 21 billion pounds of textile waste is generated each year, much of which ends up in landfills.

5. Labor Exploitation: Fast fashion is often produced in countries with lax labor laws and low wages, leading to worker exploitation and unsafe working conditions.

Overall, the environmental impact of fast fashion is significant and widespread. It is important to consider these facts and take action to reduce our individual consumption and support more sustainable practices in the fashion industry.