As the number of deaths among these factory workers rises, the profits of the fast fashion industry also increase. This is the most profitable part of the industry, generating an annual revenue of nearly 3 trillion US dollars. This industry disregards the lives of others. This huge and greedy industry has huge profits. For us ordinary people, this is about basic human rights.

Out of every six people, one earns the minimum wage of less than three dollars per day. This is their income.

Water pollution. These chemical substances such as dyes may cause water pollution during the processing. The harmful substances contained in the wastewater can affect the water quality and cause harm to aquatic organisms and ecosystems.

Energy consumption. The textile manufacturing process requires a large amount of energy, including electricity and fuel. This will lead to the consumption of fossil fuels and an increase in carbon emissions, exacerbating the problem of climate change.

Waste is generated. In textile production, a large amount of waste is produced, including cutting waste, packaging materials, wastewater, etc. Improper handling and disposal may have an impact on the environment.

Microplastic pollution. During the washing of synthetic clothing, a large amount of microplastics are released into the water body. These microplastics are difficult to degrade and pose a serious threat to the aquatic ecosystem and human health.

Land resource consumption. The fashion industry consumes a large amount of land and energy during the collection and production of raw materials.

(No date a) Google search. Available at: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=c9756f8c3ded8c64&lns_surface=44&udm=48&si=AMgyJEsGPqeW4zTZjfRWbQ4XCIh5PT3CEHIDs3zpLkYs5XhscXakrYj6hW3KiAAihY7C0SQDM7LNgd1gHDgZH6DKhuU6c9BiTh1v4K481slrd3i8dbJIkE26WCH7ZzGQ0qXpm_FBPOZluK_aEv1-NtbMGbCkNq7wQLy4B28Sx3Ha9lwM4PENH1lt5CuASiOhBQw1Mm987VsZ&vsint=CAIqDAoCCAcSAggiGAAgATojChYNAAAAPxUAAAA_HQAAgD8lAACAPzABEIgIGIYGJQAAgD8&vsrid=CLeX5bn7wc2B6QEQAhgBIiRiODVhYzNmYy05MmE2LTQwNzEtYWI3MS04NWU2ZGZmMzc5OGYyBiICd2UoATjBudnCnt6OA1AA&lns_mode=un&source=lns.web.iosbntp&vsdim=1032%2C774&gsessionid=SHtFaK8VJ5Xc6ceGjT0sPm6IbY5lJU983re9oikAL30Pq85ZOCq7iQ&lsessionid=sKbU3-6EHftYp3GJvmRpX50uGdaHC_DpXXuDG7fPfSsrlDkagbxK8A&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiE1NzCnt6OAxV9Q6QEHXR-CmUQpOwNegQIXxAA&biw=393&bih=665&dpr=3 (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

(No date b) Google search. Available at: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=c9756f8c3ded8c64&lns_surface=44&udm=48&si=AMgyJEsGPqeW4zTZjfRWbQ4XCIh5PT3CEHIDs3zpLkYs5XhscXakrYj6hW3KiAAihY7C0SQIqMvvujhRLmuRgI-vwp5dZWBy12JnP7jaWcplLobY21Gq5dWOoCeLOpoataZ9zieAGeRMDkRzrQJdJ2vuMTPw3531Cu0KQdQ78l84bpVQ3hP-IJqh-1-cCkihOLlLQTrJ2EE6&vsint=CAIqDAoCCAcSAggiGAAgATojChYNAAAAPxUAAAA_HQAAgD8lAACAPzABEMcIGNoFJQAAgD8&vsrid=CLuJudLo7dDU-QEQAhgBIiQ3ZGM1OGM0Ni0xYTg3LTQzNzgtYTkwYy00NGY1NzU3NjRlNTgyBiICZW4oAzjV7rjAnN6OA1AA&lns_mode=un&source=lns.web.iosbwsb&vsdim=1095%2C730&gsessionid=ketaR6XOxiBoYNQIpky9HrZCCpydoCTriblDm6h0gVvceuD6AXAmHA&lsessionid=eeHMdVvEI0K4pklMhoe8s8YTEqHFPw_UuQsYga30OXEQDMeJXfGufQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1wr3AnN6OAxWNiP0HHfNpEj4QpOwNegQIaxAA&biw=393&bih=773&dpr=3 (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

Life is my movie entertainment (no date) YouTube. Available at: https://m.youtube.com/@lifeismymovie (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

Garment Workers Going Hungry as fallout from cancelled orders takes Toll – Report (2020) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/03/garment-workers-going-hungry-as-fallout-from-cancelled-orders-takes-toll-report (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

Top fashion brands face legal challenge over garment workers’ rights in Asia (2021) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jul/09/top-fashion-brands-face-legal-challenge-over-garment-workers-rights-in-asia (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

‘worst fashion wage theft’: Workers go hungry as Indian suppliers to top UK brands refuse to pay minimum wage (2021) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/dec/16/worst-fashion-wage-theft-workers-go-hungry-as-indian-suppliers-to-top-uk-brands-refuse-to-pay-minimum-wage (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

Say YES to second hand

SAY NO TO FAST FASHION

(No date a) Google search. Available at: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=c9756f8c3ded8c64&lns_surface=44&udm=48&si=AMgyJEsGPqeW4zTZjfRWbQ4XCIh5PT3CEHIDs3zpLkYs5XhscXakrYj6hW3KiAAihY7C0SQDM7LNgd1gHDgZH6DKhuU6c9BiTh1v4K481slrd3i8dbJIkE26WCH7ZzGQ0qXpm_FBPOZluK_aEv1-NtbMGbCkNq7wQLy4B28Sx3Ha9lwM4PENH1lt5CuASiOhBQw1Mm987VsZ&vsint=CAIqDAoCCAcSAggiGAAgATojChYNAAAAPxUAAAA_HQAAgD8lAACAPzABEIgIGIYGJQAAgD8&vsrid=CLeX5bn7wc2B6QEQAhgBIiRiODVhYzNmYy05MmE2LTQwNzEtYWI3MS04NWU2ZGZmMzc5OGYyBiICd2UoATjBudnCnt6OA1AA&lns_mode=un&source=lns.web.iosbntp&vsdim=1032%2C774&gsessionid=SHtFaK8VJ5Xc6ceGjT0sPm6IbY5lJU983re9oikAL30Pq85ZOCq7iQ&lsessionid=sKbU3-6EHftYp3GJvmRpX50uGdaHC_DpXXuDG7fPfSsrlDkagbxK8A&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiE1NzCnt6OAxV9Q6QEHXR-CmUQpOwNegQIXxAA&biw=393&bih=665&dpr=3 (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

(No date b) Google search. Available at: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=c9756f8c3ded8c64&lns_surface=44&udm=48&si=AMgyJEsGPqeW4zTZjfRWbQ4XCIh5PT3CEHIDs3zpLkYs5XhscXakrYj6hW3KiAAihY7C0SQIqMvvujhRLmuRgI-vwp5dZWBy12JnP7jaWcplLobY21Gq5dWOoCeLOpoataZ9zieAGeRMDkRzrQJdJ2vuMTPw3531Cu0KQdQ78l84bpVQ3hP-IJqh-1-cCkihOLlLQTrJ2EE6&vsint=CAIqDAoCCAcSAggiGAAgATojChYNAAAAPxUAAAA_HQAAgD8lAACAPzABEMcIGNoFJQAAgD8&vsrid=CLuJudLo7dDU-QEQAhgBIiQ3ZGM1OGM0Ni0xYTg3LTQzNzgtYTkwYy00NGY1NzU3NjRlNTgyBiICZW4oAzjV7rjAnN6OA1AA&lns_mode=un&source=lns.web.iosbwsb&vsdim=1095%2C730&gsessionid=ketaR6XOxiBoYNQIpky9HrZCCpydoCTriblDm6h0gVvceuD6AXAmHA&lsessionid=eeHMdVvEI0K4pklMhoe8s8YTEqHFPw_UuQsYga30OXEQDMeJXfGufQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1wr3AnN6OAxWNiP0HHfNpEj4QpOwNegQIaxAA&biw=393&bih=773&dpr=3 (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

Life is my movie entertainment (no date) YouTube. Available at: https://m.youtube.com/@lifeismymovie (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

Garment Workers Going Hungry as fallout from cancelled orders takes Toll – Report (2020) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/03/garment-workers-going-hungry-as-fallout-from-cancelled-orders-takes-toll-report (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

Top fashion brands face legal challenge over garment workers’ rights in Asia (2021) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jul/09/top-fashion-brands-face-legal-challenge-over-garment-workers-rights-in-asia (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

‘worst fashion wage theft’: Workers go hungry as Indian suppliers to top UK brands refuse to pay minimum wage (2021) The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/dec/16/worst-fashion-wage-theft-workers-go-hungry-as-indian-suppliers-to-top-uk-brands-refuse-to-pay-minimum-wage (Accessed: 28 July 2025).

(No date c) Google search. Available at: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=c5b7f7ac965d1172&lns_surface=44&sxsrf=AE3TifNdmh3jPF97YXXbeFg4V-QLFY4N2Q%3A1755477958901&udm=48&si=AMgyJEsemUcRejRlV9YTOUWMAoPFqvIOlyD5CB_0xjECS34WScIYhhhWG_8oa19Xl0nRcVIGzv6KhI_eTpNaELTwfnOwQoHlZpW7KFXpjambNP5EKqd3X_zOyCiQvS9AEfXujMfaUfpCTfTFU5Cl9_Mh2UAyZmPU74pFB2LtDuykalK0oMvYLMlJUXBxmFMJh7yUcRCU5lAt&vsint=CAIqDAoCCAcSAggiGAAgATojChYNAAAAPxUAAAA_HQAAgD8lAACAPzABEKgJGJ4FJQAAgD8&vsrid=CPqA6fC38vHyngEQAhgBIiQwM2RlNzc0MC1kZjVjLTQyN2EtYmUxYy0xYTFkNGMzYWU5NzkyBiICd2UoEzjmnJaBkZOPA1AA&lns_mode=un&source=lns.web.iosbntp&vsdim=1192%2C670&gsessionid=1ZWFLuom4TGqVfTpo2__j6ntbmqPwM-cuBU2QJRS6x2A0b6-PgmHaw&lsessionid=zNEqSVna_nBAKLPdk8ZgXBAnoLoWsCnOXYl-6lNlrnFknO9xD0ZqEA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwju45qBkZOPAxUYU6QEHf16EUwQpOwNegQIXRAA&biw=393&bih=773&dpr=3 (Accessed: 18 August 2025).

We’ll be back soon! (no date) We’ll Be Back Soon. Available at: https://toistudent.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/lifestyle/ditch-fast-fashion-embrace-sustainability/82621.html (Accessed: 18 August 2025).

This documentary uncovers the harsh truth behind the global supply chain: women workers in Bangladesh and Cambodia toil in dangerous factories to meet the insatiable demand for cheap fashion.

Highlights: Real factory scenes and discussions on brand responsibility, with a powerful visual impact.

There is an "invisible blue river of blood" behind the jeans.

This documentary takes you to India and Bangladesh, showing how the dyes discharged by fashion factories turn the rivers deep blue and cause diseases among the children in the villages.

Highlights: Shocking aerial shots & Interviews with environmental experts, calling for reduction of water pollution.

This film is not specifically about fashion, but it profoundly discusses consumerism: Does constantly buying things really make people happy?

If you want to try Capsule Wardrobe (cabinet-style wardrobe) or decluttering, this documentary is perfect for beginners.

Highlights: The road speeches of two minimalist enthusiasts and the stories of ordinary people.

Following in the footsteps of Mother of Pearl's creative director Amy Powney, she has shifted from the concept of "just looking good" to a brand philosophy of "sustainability from the source to the closet".

Highlights: Rebuilding the brand supply chain and creating an eco-friendly fashion collection.

Produced by Alex James (bassist of Blur band), this documentary explores how to "slow down fashion" based on his personal experience.

From recycled fibers to second-hand markets, it presents a series of greener options.

Highlights: Light-hearted and humorous style, igniting enthusiasm for "second-hand treasures"

So what is the solution? The industry needs to reduce the production volume of new products and achieve a circular model by extending the lifespan of clothing and raw materials. To this end, clothing manufacturers can design more durable clothing, use sustainable fabrics, and make clothing more recyclable.

As the industry and consumers shift to a circular business model, from fast fashion to durable products and sustainable consumption, while supporting the producing countries to ensure they do not fall behind during the transformation process.

To increase the recycling rate, it is suggested to invest in the construction of textile waste collection facilities, such as clothing recycling bins, to make it convenient for the public to drop off their used clothes. At the same time, the fabric recycling program can be expanded. Additionally, an extended producer responsibility program can be implemented, requiring manufacturers to be responsible for the final disposal of the clothing. Many countries have already begun to take these measures.

Fashion brands can design more recyclable clothing, including using reusable fabrics and gradually phasing out harmful chemicals.

Therefore, it is necessary to implement regulations and promote safety management for harmful chemicals in textile production. At the same time, clothing brands should ensure that their products use environmentally friendly substances and adopt the "green and sustainable chemistry" concept.

According to a study in the Microplastics journal, synthetic clothing releases plastic microfibers during washing and wearing, and some of these microfibers contain harmful chemicals.

This is another important reason why brands should remove harmful chemicals from their products.

Textile manufacturers, washing machine manufacturers, and municipal wastewater treatment plants need to collect and share more data on microfiber shedding and effective filtering solutions, while brands need to provide consumers with correct product care instructions.

The recent United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations Climate Change report calls on insiders in the fashion industry (including brand marketers, magazine editors, and social media influencers) to jointly combat the trend of "new is good". The report suggests achieving this goal by promoting sustainable lifestyles, encouraging clothing brands to reduce production, and eliminating information that encourages excessive consumption.

Brands can create marketing messages and products with emotionally lasting value, inspiring customers to wear and cherish the products for a longer time. Everyone can encourage their friends to make good use of and creatively combine existing clothes instead of blindly purchasing more.

To support this concept, companies can be required to disclose the environmental impact of their clothing production, helping consumers make more informed and sustainable choices.

If it is necessary to purchase new items, it is recommended to prioritize sustainable brands and materials, and focus on selecting high-quality clothing that can stand the test of time.

Consumers have significant influence. By choosing more circular consumption methods, they can send important signals to those decision-makers who have the ability to promote the sustainability of the fashion industry.

Fast fashion refers to shortening the production cycle and rapidly updating styles to

stimulate consumers' frequent purchases.

2 Water resource pollution and shortage

The wastewater discharged during the printing and dyeing process of clothes contains toxic

substances.

3 Waste and carbon emissions

Fast fashion garments have a short lifespan and 85% of them are ultimately landfilled or

incinerated, generating greenhouse gases. Data shows that the carbon emissions of the

textile industry account for 10% of the global total.

4 Ecological system damage

To meet raw material demands, a large amount of land is used for cotton cultivation or

livestock farming, resulting in deforestation and loss of biodiversity.

5 Microplastic pollution

Synthetic fibers (such as polyester) release microplastics during washing, which eventually

enter the marine food chain. Relevant studies show that each time clothes are washed, tens

of thousands of microplastic particles may be released.

As the number of deaths among these factory workers rises, the profits of the fast fashion industry also increase. This is the most profitable part of the industry, generating an annual revenue of nearly 3 trillion US dollars. This industry disregards the lives of others. This huge and greedy industry has huge profits. For us ordinary people, this is about basic human rights.