Why Fast Fashion Is Costing the World More Than You Think

1. Environmental Pollution from Textile Production

1. Environmental Pollution from Textile Production
A polluted river flows past a textile factory, its water streaked with vivid colors from industrial dye runoff. | Generated by Google Gemini

Fast fashion’s textile production is notoriously resource-intensive, consuming vast amounts of water and energy while releasing harmful chemicals. Toxic dyes and finishing treatments pollute rivers, with the fashion industry responsible for 20% of global wastewater, according to the UN Environment Programme. Synthetic fabrics shed microplastics, contaminating oceans and food chains. Shockingly, fashion’s carbon emissions rival those of the aviation and shipping industries combined, as highlighted by BBC Future.