Disposable ‘fast fashion’ in the spotlight
Written by News on 22/06/2018
Disposable “fast fashion” and its effect on our environment will be looked at in a new inquiry.
The environmental audit committee will investigate the social and environment impact of this type of short-lived clothing and the wider industry.
Among the things being looked at are the carbon, resource use and water footprint of clothing during its life cycle.
Ideas for how to recycle clothes and reduce waste and pollution will also be considered.
Mary Creagh, chair of the environmental audit committee, said: “Fashion shouldn’t cost the earth.
“But the way we design, make and discard clothes has a huge environmental impact.
“Producing clothes requires toxic chemicals and produces climate-changing emissions.
“Every time we put on a wash, thousands of plastic fibres wash down the drain and into the oceans.
“We don’t know where or how to recycle end-of-life clothing.
“Our inquiry will look at how the fashion industry can remodel itself to be both thriving and sustainable.”
According to a 2015 report from the British Fashion Council, the UK fashion industry contributed £28.1bn to national GDP, up from £21bn in 2009.
But the globalised market has encouraged a “fast fashion” phenomenon where clothing is cheap and, therefore, easily disposed of and repurchased. Making clothes requires land and water as well as fossil fuels, chemical dyes, finishes and coatings, some of them toxic. Some of the fibres used in clothes can pollute our oceans and rivers, entering the food chain.
There are also environmental issues when clothing is disposed of, with some ending up in landfill or dumped in overseas markets.
The deadline for submissions to the inquiry is 3 September.
:: Sky’s Ocean Rescue campaign encourages people to reduce their single-use plastics. You can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved at www.skyoceanrescue.com
(c) Sky News 2018: Disposable ‘fast fashion’ in the spotlight
