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WRITING FOR CHANGE

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What is “Fast Fashion?”

 

Fast fashion is the growing industry of clothes being produced at mass rates for low prices. The fast fashion industry manufactures clothes that are cheap in material, and --in turn-- cheap in quality. You may have encountered fast fashion in your everyday life; popular stores such as Zara, Forever 21, H&M, Uniqlo, Gap, etc. sell millions of clothes annually at incredibly cheap prices. To be able to sell at an affordable price, the big brands of America hire cheap labor in foreign countries. That “Made in China” or “Made in India” tag on your clothes indicate that your clothes were made under unsafe working conditions and a lower-than-minimum-wage salary. Many foreign countries lack labor laws, and the fast fashion industry takes full advantage of this.

 

What is the environmental cost?

 

That’s right! Fast fashion also comes with an environmental cost.

 

For more information about the environmental consequences of fast fashion, check out our 5-minute pamphlet! 

 

 

What is sustainable and ethical shopping?

 

Sustainable shopping is the act of making the conscious decision of avoiding fast fashion. Sustainable clothing is made with fair trade materials, an honest wage, and safe working conditions. As a result, sustainable clothing may be more expensive than your average t-shirt or pair of jeans, but the trade that you support with each purchase is worth the price tag.

 

How can you start making ethical purchases?

 

Start with doing research! Take the initiative to find out if your favorite brands produce ethically. For clothing items, look for keywords such as “fair trade,” “ethical,” and “organic.” For cosmetic items, look for words such as “cruelty-free,” “vegan,” “sustainable,” and “ethical.” If you’re unsure about whether a brand is ethical or not, search to see if the company is socially responsible, or contact the companies! Usually, sustainable companies will have a page on their websites that talk about their commitment to sustainability; you can find information about where they produce, whether their employees make fair wages and the materials that they produce with. Another alternative to sustainable shopping is thrift shopping! Buying second-hand clothes is a great way to start shopping sustainably and ethically. Depending on where you live, thrift shopping might be cheaper than buying from sustainable companies.

 

Sustainable shopping may be hard, especially if you’re a student! It’s important to know that it’s absolutely okay if you slip from the sustainable path. We all make mistakes! Sometimes you may be given false information, or it is difficult to find products that you truly love and support. But, if you stay committed to making conscious decisions, then it all helps with the sustainability movement in the long run! Sustainability is a lifestyle, and it takes time to adjust to! (I remember the first few months of committing to a sustainable lifestyle; It was a tough start to adjust to, especially since most of us grow up shopping at fast fashion retailers.) Remember that sustainability is a choice that you make, and it impacts the world in substantial ways!


 

There are amazing documentaries and articles on the internet that educate on sustainability and fast fashion!

 

Some of our favorites are:

  • The True Cost (Can be found on Netflix)

  • The Machinists (Can be found on YouTube)

  • Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price

June Huang 

June is a passionate advocate for sustainable living! She started her ethical journey two years ago, and hopes to make a difference in the community by educating about the advantages of sustainable living; she is still learning about ways to leave a more healthy footprint on the Earth, and hopes that you can join in the campaign to create a cleaner environment for the future.  

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Director of Community Outreach 
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