Chemical waste, mass production and
The fashion industry is no different. Technology has helped the industry meet growing demand by making production more efficient. But vast overproduction – propelled by fast fashion’s demands for new styles – has led to a host of additional problems: increased chemical waste during production, along with thousands of tons of waste from worn, discarded or donated clothes.
Clothing retail giant H&M has a global garment collection initiative – receiving used clothes and offering discounts in exchange for donations – but there are signs that even clothing recycling efforts cannot keep up with garment production. And while many companies use biodegradable materials, the costs of recycling such a large volume may tip the balance back toward using cheaper, synthetic fabric alternatives that are bad for the environment.
