The fashion business does have big and complicated effects on the environment and society, and they need to be fixed right away. The industry leaves behind a huge carbon footprint, bigger than some countries and industries that put out a lot of pollution. Its actions also add to many other environmental problems. For example, textile production pollutes water a lot. Toxic chemicals from dyeing and finishing processes often end up in rivers and other waterways, where they harm environments and put people’s health at risk.
On a social level, the fashion industry’s global supply lines are full of abuses of human rights and forced labor. In many countries that make clothes, garment workers, who are mostly women and immigrants, have to deal with dangerous working conditions, low pay, and limited rights as workers. This kind of exploitation happens in workplaces, at home, and in farms, keeping some of the world’s most vulnerable communities stuck in cycles of poverty and inequality.
Because of these important problems, more and more people want the fashion business to use more environmentally friendly and moral methods. Transformative action is needed to lessen the industry’s bad effects and make sure a more fair and environmentally responsible future. This includes investing in circular economy models and promoting openness and accountability throughout the supply chain.
The amount of textile trash in the US is also scary: about 16 million tons are made every year, and almost two-thirds of that ends up in landfills. A big chunk of this trash comes from just New York City; each year, its people throw away 200,000 tons. This shocking number shows how much we have and how quickly we can get rid of clothes. It shows how badly we need to change the way we make, wear, and throw away clothes. As the world’s fashion capital, New York has a unique chance to lead the way in supporting circular and sustainable fashion, cutting down on waste, and making the fashion industry less harmful to society and the environment.