The world is paying a high price for cheap clothes

[Mike 03]

CNN
By Isabelle Gerretsen and Ivana Kottasová, CNN Business
Updated 3:32 AM ET, Sun May 3, 2020

Excerpt:

Like its other fast fashion rivals, H&M's core business model is fueled by low prices, rapid consumption and fast-changing trends — all of which are in direct tension with its sustainability mission. The global fashion industry generates a huge amount of waste - one full garbage truck of clothes is burned or sent to a landfill every second, according to the a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a leading non-profit working to improve the industry's sustainability record.

When a shirt costs $5, it's quickly seen as disposable. We are more likely to dispose of cheaper, mass-produced clothes than more expensive items, according to a 2009 study into consumer habits.

H&M is well aware of the problem. The company's Sustainability Engagement Manager Hendrik Alpen admitted the fast fashion industry is struggling to balance its climate commitment with its desire to meet consumer demands.
"It's not exactly rocket science, if you look at how the global population will develop, by 2040, we might be 9 billion people. That is of course great from the perspective of having more potential customers," Alpen told CNN Business. "But if we look at the planetary boundaries ... the equation is not working out."

How clothes are harming the planet

Collectively, the global fashion industry produces nearly 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, or 8.1% of the world total, according to Quantis, a climate consultancy that analyzes the fashion industry's environmental impact. That calculation includes the seven life stages of a garment, beginning with creating the fibers used to make it — by growing cotton, for example — to assembling the clothing and eventually, transporting and selling it. The calculations consider both apparel and footwear.

Read the report: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/03/business/cheap-clothing-fast-fashion-climate-change-intl/index.html

[CatMor]

1. One thing I found out while in quarantine .....

I have way too many clothes. I don't get rid of most things because they are still good but I don't wear them and buy more. After reading this I'll try to change my ways.

[Finishline42]

6. I keep a lot of clothes

that i have out grown. LOL Keep them because any day now I'm going to lose 10-15 lbs... and that was 2 sizes ago!

[CatMor]

7. I've been known to use that excuse myself.

[napi21]

2. I'm hoping that this pandemic teaches many purchasers to bring many mfg. lines back to the US.

Especially items needed for survival, like masks, PPE, many meds, etc. I also believe there's a market for reasonably priced clothing made in the US. Most people can't afford the designer ones, but would love US made clothing that would be a better quality than that currently made in Bangladesh & Vietnam, but priced so the average family can buy them.

I've been buying most of my clothes at consignment shops because I can find nice quality clothing at an affordable price. It's much nicer to wash a pair of Liz jeans & have then look & fit as when they were new!

[mountain grammy]

3. So true about consignment and thrift stores..

one of the few places you can find items with "made in USA" on them.

[spinbaby]

4. I love consignment and thrift stores

A problem I’ve found in recent years, though, is that they’re more and more dominated by crappy fast fashion. Much of my wardrobe consists of thrift finds and it’s getting harder to find quality clothes in thrift stores.

[mountain grammy]

5. That's true and often the prices are shocking! It's used for heaven's sake..

luckily I need nothing. About the only thing I buy new is underwear and walking shoes. I just love to browse the thift stores and find a designer something or a collectable, once in a while.