The ecological footprint of fast fashion in a few words
🌏 Today, we hear more and more about the excesses of fast fashion , this fast fashion model that constantly renews its collections at low prices. But what are its real impacts on the environment ? Why is it a problem? And above all, what can we do on our scale?
Here is a simple and clear explanation to understand the ecological footprint of fast fashion.
🌊 1. An ultra-polluting industry
Fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world , just after oil.
📈 Some figures that speak for themselves:
Around 100 billion items of clothing are produced worldwide each year.
It takes up to 10,000 liters of water to make a single pair of jeans (the equivalent of 70 bathtubs!).
The textile industry is responsible for 10% of global CO₂ emissions .
It produces 20% of the world's wastewater , due to chemical dyes.
In short, fast fashion produces a lot, very quickly, and at the expense of the environment.
👣 2. A footprint that begins long before the garment arrives in store
The making of a t-shirt often begins with the cultivation of cotton , a plant that requires a lot of water and pesticides. Then, the fabric is:
Transformed in another country
Dyed with chemicals
Sewn in a workshop that is often poorly paid
Then transported to the other side of the world by plane or cargo
Each step consumes energy, water, and releases CO₂.
🗑️ 3. Disposable consumption
Fast fashion encourages people to buy often and throw away quickly .
An item of clothing is worn on average 7 times before being thrown away.
Every French person throws away around 12 kg of clothes per year
Only 1% of textiles are actually recycled into new clothing
Many of these clothes end up in landfills or are incinerated, which causes even more pollution.
🌍 4. Alternatives exist: second-hand is one of them
Faced with this observation, more sustainable alternatives are emerging:
Buy less , but better
Promote second-hand clothing
Recycle, donate or resell rather than throw away
By choosing clothes that have already had a first life , you reduce their carbon footprint, save resources, and participate in more responsible fashion .
💚 Conclusion: everyone can make a difference
We don't need to be perfect. But choosing to consume differently is already a powerful step.
👉 By buying second-hand, you contribute to circular fashion , which is more respectful of the planet and the people who make our clothes.
And the good news is: it’s often more stylish, more original… and much more human!