Is having the latest technology a want or a need?
How often do you get a new cel phone or mp3 player? Did you really need a new model? Do you consider the environmental impact of these purchases? If you are addicted, how can you break your addiction?
Wants or Needs? >
Wants or Needs? Fashion Industry and Clothing Consumption
Clothing is a massive industry in the U.S., grossing over half a trillion dollars in 2022. Big oil drilling companies and the burning of fossil fuels typically come to mind when thinking of climate change, but rarely is the impact of the clothing industry, specifically fast fashion, discussed. 1.92 million metric tons of textile waste are produced each year in the industry, that’s out of 100 billion produced annually. In addition, the production emits 1.2 billion metric tons of green gas each year. I found it really interesting to learn that even though oil is the most polluting industry in the world, fashion is the second. This is because of the rapid demand for the newest clothes, and trends that continue to change every few months. This demand is why companies like SHEIN, who rely on barely paid labor to make clothes, are producing so much waste. A new trend comes in, people want to stay on trend and purchase the clothing, and the next trend comes in and the old one is “out”. When those clothes aren’t worn, they are donated to a thrift store or just thrown out. No matter where they go, about two-thirds of unworn clothing eventually ends up in a landfill. Shopping at thrift stores and trying to buy clothes that would otherwise go to landfill is a great way to limit your carbon footprint in purchases. This constant question of want or need is important because while it’s important to express yourself and feel comfortable in your clothing, there’s a better way for our planet. The reason this cycle continues all comes down to the want of clothing, the desire to have new clothes. We need clothes, but sometimes it’s better to buy a sweatshirt from a thrift store or secondhand than buy it from a fast fashion company. In addition, purchasing clothing from smaller businesses that are more ethical and typically better for the environment as they are not mass produced.
Sources:
https://www.geneco.uk.com/news/fast-fas … s%20sector.