SLOW FASHION
Consider that, according to the United Nations, nearly 20% of the world's wastewater is produced by the fashion industry and it's responsible for around 10% of global emissions.
Meanwhile, in the last 15 years the fashion industry has doubled production, while the time clothing is worn before it is thrown away has fallen by around 40%. When it is thrown away, 73% will be burned or buried in landfill. What does get collected for recycling – around 12% – will likely end up being shredded and used to stuff mattresses, or made into insulation or cleaning cloths. Less than 1% of what is collected will be used to make new clothing.
Fast fashion describes rapidly producing high volumes of cheap, trendy, clothes in low-quality materials (like synthetic fabrics) in order to quickly bring inexpensive styles to the end consumer. Think of the clothing at high volume retailers such as SHEIN, Old Navy, H&M. This production method is often at the expense our environment.
We need to find a way to make the industry more circular as well as encourage consumers to replace today’s throwaway culture with one that values recycling and long-term use.
Superficial Inc. uses only secondhand materials for all of our products because thoughtful design coupled with innovative business models can make the end of one customer’s experience with a garment the start of countless other journeys.
To learn more about circular economy, fast fashion and waste in the fashion industry we recommend reading the articles about fashion at The World Economic Forum website. Or check out these great articles:
How Fast Fashion Is Destroying the Planet
4 Disastrous Ways 'Fast Fashion' Clashes with the Environment