In recent years, fashion has become more popular than ever. Short-form videos on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram constantly promote new styles and clothes, encouraging viewers to expand their closets in order to keep up with the latest fashion trends.
The constant demand for trendy clothes in recent years has led to the rise of “fast fashion” companies such as Shein and Temu, known for their extremely large catalogues and ultra-cheap price points. They take advantage of the micro-trends promoted on social media to sell as many clothes as possible. This strategy has worked extremely well, as both Shein and Temu have surpassed brands such as H&M and Zara in terms of annual revenue.
Though these fast fashion companies allow customers to participate in fashion trends at affordable prices, serious environmental and ethical downsides surround them. In order to keep prices down, these companies focus on a high-volume, low-quality production model in which clothes are often thrown away after just a few uses. The disposed clothes are then sent to landfills, which are major sources of carbon emissions.
Mass-market fashion manufacturers produce most of their products in China, where fossil fuels are commonly used to power factories, further contributing to air pollution. To keep up with consumer demands, the fast fashion industry also heavily relies on air freight rather than using sea freight, which is much more emissions-intensive.
All of these factors contribute to Shein being the largest polluter in the fashion industry.
All of these factors contribute to Shein being the largest polluter in the fashion industry, emitting 16.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2024, almost triple H&M’s number, according to Forbes. Shein’s carbon emissions are only expected to rise in the coming years, signifying a major problem with the fast fashion business model.
The issues with these companies don’t stop at environmental threats. The factories have been accused of serious ethical issues. According to the BBC, employees reportedly work 75-hour workweeks with minimal days off, in unsafe facilities. Investigations from the U.S. have also revealed a high chance that both Temu and Shein use forced labor and child labor as a way to maintain their low prices.
As a response to their criticism, Shein recently announced that it is currently trying to be more sustainable through their evoluSHEIN program that aims to use more recycled materials and waste. However, this initiative is unlikely to do much if Shein wants to maintain their low-cost business model.
Our responsibility as consumers is to ensure that fashion does not come at the expense of our planet.
Since climate change is one of society’s most pressing issues, consumers must choose environmentally friendly clothing. Though fast fashion might seem appealing due to its large selection and affordability, we must factor in its negative effects on the environment.
Our responsibility as consumers is to ensure that fashion does not come at the expense of our planet.
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