Fast fashion stats, pros and cons: Is it worth the cost?

Workers in countries where clothing is produced are often paid low wages and work in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. The fast fashion industry has been criticised for failing to provide adequate protections for workers, particularly in countries with weaker labour protections [4].

The fast fashion industry has been accused of exploiting child labour, particularly in countries with weak labour protections. Child labour is particularly prevalent in cotton production, with children as young as 10 working in the fields [5].

Workers in the fast fashion industry are often paid very low wages, with some earning less than the minimum wage in their country. This can lead to poverty and poor living conditions for workers and their families [4].

• Around 11.3 million tons of textile waste, which accounts for 85% of all textiles, are disposed of in landfills annually. This is approximately 81.5 pounds (37 kilograms) per person per year and approximately 2,150 pieces per second throughout the country [18].
• The majority of products returned by consumers to retailers end up in landfills since it’s more expensive for the company to recycle them. According to Optoro, a company that specializes in reverse logistics, online returns in the US in 2020 resulted in an estimated 16 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is comparable to the emissions produced by 3.5 million cars driving for a year [18].
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 5% of all landfill space is occupied by textile waste [19].
• On average, Americans dispose of 70 pounds of textile every year [19].

• The value of China’s textile exports in 2021 was approximately $146bn, making it the largest textile and apparel manufacturer in the world [21].
• More than 5bn t-shirts are manufactured in China every year [22].
• According to state news agency Xinhua, the Chinese throw away approximately 26 million tonnes of textiles every year [22].
• Less than 1% of all garments are recycled or reused. This is largely because there is a cultural stigma against second hand clothing, with these being considered unhygienic and even unlucky. Non-charitable sales of used clothing are even banned for health and safety reasons [22].
• The value of the fast fashion industry in China is expected to grow up to over $17bn in 2025 [23].

• Japan’s fast industry annual turnover is $96bn [23]. That is an average expenditure of $763 per person.
• Japanese consumers are the second-largest buyers of fashion in the world, purchasing 9.5 billion garments per year [23].
• A survey by the Ministry of Environment found that 819,000 tonnes of textiles were supplied to the market in 2020. In the same year, 787,000 tonnes were disposed of. From these, 19% were reused, 15% were recycled and the rest thrown away into landfill [24]. On average, the waste per capita was of 6.3kg of textile.
• The annual carbon emissions add up to 95 million tonnes, which is 4.5% of the global market share. From Japan’s fashion industry total emissions, 5.3% are associated with the burning of textile waste [24].
• 98% of textiles are imported from overseas [24].

• The average projected lifetime of a garment is 3.3 years [25].
• British citizens shop more clothing than any other Europeans, with an annual average of 26.7kg per person [26].
• Households produce circa 300,000 tonnes of textile waste every year, and only 1% is recycled [26].
• WRAP estimates the value of UK’s textile waste to be £140mn [27].
• Over two tonnes of clothing are purchased every minute, resulting in nearly 50 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to driving a car for 162,000 miles [28].
• In other words, the average carbon emissions associated with fashion in the UK is 390kg per person yearly.

• In 2020, Germans spent an average of €634 on clothing, which was €68 less than the previous year (Statista, 2021).
• The German fashion industry is responsible for 2.7% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions (Modeklima, 2021).
• In 2018, Germans generated an estimated 1.26 million tons of textile waste, with only 14% being collected for recycling (Bundesumweltamt, 2020).

• French people purchase 60% more clothes than they did 15 years ago, and on average throw away 12 kilograms of clothes per year (France 24, 2019).
• The fashion industry accounts for 10% of France’s carbon emissions (BFMTV, 2019).
• In 2019, the French generated an estimated 715,000 tons of textile waste, with only 29% being collected for recycling (ADEME, 2020).

• In 2019, Italians spent an average of €1,430 on fashion and accessories, making them the top spenders in Europe (Il Sole 24 Ore, 2020).
• The fashion industry is responsible for 4% of Italy’s greenhouse gas emissions (Sustainable Fashion Matterz, 2021).
• In 2019, Italy generated an estimated 235,000 tons of textile waste, with only 29% being collected for recycling (Fondazione Ricerca Sistema Energetico, 2021).

• In 2020, Spaniards spent an average of €619 on clothing, which was €60 less than the previous year (Statista, 2021).
• The Spanish fashion industry is responsible for 2.2% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions (El Pais, 2019).
• In 2019, the Spanish generated an estimated 450,000 tons of textile waste, with only 10% being collected for recycling (El Confidencial, 2020).
• The Spanish fashion industry employs over 125,000 people and generates more than €15 billion in revenue (Modaes, 2021).
• Spanish consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of fashion, with a growing interest in sustainable and secondhand clothing (Modaes, 2021).

• Australians are the world’s second-largest consumers of textiles, with an average of 27 kg of clothing and textiles being disposed of per person per year (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018).
• Fast fashion is responsible for 10% of Australia’s carbon emissions, and the fashion industry is the second-largest water polluter in the world (Sustain Your Style, 2021).
• Only 15% of textiles in Australia are being recycled or donated, with the rest ending up in landfill (ABC News, 2018).

• Canadians spent an average of $1,371 on clothing and accessories in 2018, with a large portion of this spending going towards fast fashion (Statistics Canada, 2019).
• Fast fashion makes up approximately 70% of the clothing sold in Canada (Environmental Defence, 2019).
• In 2019, the Canadian textile industry generated over 35 million tons of textile waste, with only 15% being recycled (National Zero Waste Council, 2019).
• Canadian consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental and social impacts of fashion, with a growing interest in sustainable and ethical clothing options [16].
• The Canadian government has launched various initiatives to promote sustainable fashion and reduce textile waste, including investing in textile recycling infrastructure and supporting the development of eco-friendly materials (Government of Canada, 2021).

The fast fashion industry is a significant contributor to unsustainable consumption and production patterns. Goal 12 aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns by promoting resource and energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and access to basic services.

Fast fashion has led to significant economic growth in countries where clothing is produced, but has also been criticized for poor labour practices. Goal 8 aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

The fast fashion industry is responsible for water pollution, with significant quantities of hazardous chemicals used during the manufacturing process. Goal 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.