Fast fashion and environment

The fashion industry significantly impacts the environment, with global clothing production reaching 100 billion items annually. Consumers buy 60% more clothing than 15 years ago and keep each item for only half as long. Despite owning plenty of clothes, many still feel they have "nothing to wear," leading to excessive purchasing. Sustainable practices like repairing or upcycling can reduce waste; for instance, Eileen Fisher offers upcycling services and incentives. Buying used clothing can also help, as it could save around 2.2 million metric tons of CO2 emissions annually in Europe alone. Fast fashion brands like Zara, H&M, and online retailers such as Amazon and Temu release new collections almost weekly, contributing to significant environmental harm. Producing one cotton t-shirt uses 2700 liters of fresh water.  Textile purchases in the EU generate substantial CO2 emissions per person. Textile waste is projected to increase by 60% between 2015 and 2030, with vast amounts ending up in landfills or being incinerated. The industry also uses 43 million tons of chemicals and dyes yearly, often polluting water sources. Synthetic fibers release microplastics into the oceans. Garment workers, especially in countries like Bangladesh, often earn meager wages under poor conditions. Consumers are encouraged to consider these impacts and make more sustainable choices.