Natalia Welzenbach-Marcu | November 13th, 2018

Cheap, mass-produced clothing is an absolutely booming industry, with many significant players in the fast fashion business raking in millions every year. But clothing comes at a cost, and as more brands are making moves towards a sustainable market, these costs become more glaringly obvious.

Fashion produces a lot of waste. About 10% of global carbon emissions come from the fashion industry, and tons of microfibers are released into oceans and other water sources every year from washing clothing made with plastic or otherwise synthetic fibers.

The textile workers that create fast and cheap clothing are almost always underpaid, and frequently work in dangerous conditions.

There are some movements towards more sustainable business models for clothing producers. Everlane’s ReNew, a recently launched clothing line, creates fashionable streetwear, coats, and jackets from recycled plastic. But there’s still a considerable way to go before most companies reach this level of sustainability.

Many sustainable brands are expensive and often inaccessible to many individuals who want to help the environment, but cannot afford anything luxury. For those that wish to do their part in reducing the waste the fashion industry can produce, buying second-hand from consignment or resale shops has always been a great option.