Environmental Problems Caused by Fashion

The fashion industry is one of the world’s biggest contributors to environmental pollution. From the rapid production of clothing to the use of unsustainable materials, the impact is staggering. In Episode 1 of Smoke and Mirrors: Let’s Make it Clear with Laura Young, we take a closer look at the environmental problems caused by fashion and explore how we can make more sustainable choices.

Fashion: The Overproduction Problem

One of the primary issues with fashion is overproduction. Many fashion brands produce millions of garments every year, most of which are worn only a handful of times before they are discarded. This cycle of buying and throwing away is incredibly wasteful, as cheap, low-quality clothing is often made from synthetic fibers that don’t break down easily in landfills.

As Laura Young explains, the speed at which fashion operates drives enormous waste. Many items are poorly made and fall apart quickly, while trends encourage consumers to buy more. Unfortunately, most of these garments end up in landfills, where they contribute to long-term environmental degradation.

Plastic in Fashion: A Hidden Problem

A key material used in fashion is polyester—a type of plastic. Polyester is derived from fossil fuels and is one of the most commonly used fabrics in the industry. While it’s cheap and versatile, it has a devastating environmental footprint. Polyester doesn’t decompose for hundreds of years and sheds microplastics when washed, which end up polluting our oceans and entering the food chain.

Microplastics have been found in the air we breathe and even in our bodies. The more we rely on plastic-based fabrics, the more we contribute to this growing environmental crisis. Conventional fashion brands' dependence on polyester highlights the urgent need to shift toward sustainable materials.

Solutions: Moving Towards Sustainable Fashion

To address the environmental problems caused by the fashion industry, we need to change our consumption habits and look for sustainable alternatives. This means choosing natural fibers like cotton, wool, and hemp, which are biodegradable and less harmful to the environment. Additionally, buying fewer, higher-quality items and taking care of them by mending and reusing clothes can significantly reduce fashion’s impact.