Fast fashion: fashion madness or environmental disaster? The debate is boiling!
Fast fashion: fashion madness or environmental disaster? The debate is boiling!
Krone, Österreich - Today is June 2, 2025 and the discussion about the challenges of Fast Fashion is more topical than ever. In the "Krone" forum, the handling of clothing and the responsible reaction to the fast-moving fashion is being discussed vividly. Fast fashion, a trend that means cheap clothing, not only endangers the environment, but also the social conditions for millions of workers in the textile industry. A reader commentary from user "Austrocrates" sees this a social failure and asks the question: Is it because of society or are there other reasons for this problem? Krone reports on the remarkable mountains of garbage that arise from this consumption and the negative effects on environmental awareness.
The fashion industry has changed significantly. Large chains such as Zara, H&M and Bershka are now releasing up to 24 collections per year. The marketing strategies are aimed primarily at young people and young adults, whereby time pressure is generated by limited discounts of 10-20%, which leads to a faster purchase decision. Estimates show that in Germany people buy an average of 60 clothes every year, of which around every fifth is hardly or not worn at all. These practices lead to a dramatic increase in waste and CO2 emissions. According to Fashion Insider , the textile industry causes an estimated 10% of the worldwide CO2 emissions as well as around 20% of global water pollution.
Environmental effects of textile production
A cotton-T-shirt needs about 2,700 liters of fresh water, which is particularly dramatic in a country like China, where 320 million people have no access to clean drinking water. In addition, textile production is responsible for around 20% of water pollution, both through the use of chemicals and through high water withdrawal. Synthetic materials such as polyester also make the situation more difficult because they now release large amounts of microplastics that threatens marine ecosystems. Every week up to 700,000 microplasty fibers can be released in wash loads, which in Germany leads to a release of 80 to 400 tons of microplastics.
The working conditions in textile production are often catastrophic. According to the Fashion Insider Many workers work up to 16 hours a day, receive low wages and have no access to occupational safety. For a T-shirt that only costs 4.99 euros, employees receive only 13 cents. These circumstances make it clear how strong the pressure on the production countries is when you consider that 62 million children have to work in the textile industry in Asia.
political measures and consumer responsibility
The EU has realized that measures are urgently needed. In the 2018 waste guideline, important steps to reduce textile waste were decided. In the future, manufacturers should take responsibility for the entire value chain, even if their products become waste. In March 2024, the European Parliament presented proposals to change the regulations for textile waste. These changes include the introduction of an extended responsibility for manufacturers, whereby manufacturers are responsible for bearing the costs for the separate collection, sorting and recycling of their products. By January 1, 2025, textiles for reuse and recycling must be collected separately in all EU countries.
A rethink is also necessary for consumers. More and more people are ready to switch to sustainable fashion and they often separate themselves from fast fashion to act more environmentally conscious. Conscious consumption, observing eco-seals such as GOTS and fair trade as well as the purchase of second-hand fashion are steps in the right direction. The DetailsOrt Krone, Österreich Quellen
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