Fast Fashion Basics
What does fast fashion mean?
Clothes made quickly and sold cheaply to follow trends
When did fast fashion start to grow quickly?
In the 1990s.
What percentage of global carbon emissions comes from fashion?
Up to 10%
How many tons of textiles ended up in U.S. landfills in 2018?
11.3 million tons.
What can we do to reduce fast fashion waste?
Buy less and recycle more.
Why do people like fast fashion?
It’s affordable and trendy.
How many “micro-seasons” do brands like Zara produce in a year?
Up to 52 micro-seasons
What material is made from fossil fuels and used in fast fashion?
Polyester
What happens to many donated clothes?
They are sent to secondhand markets in other countries.
How can we support local communities in fashion?
Support local textile industries.
How much was fast fashion worth in the U.S. in 2023?
$41.15 billion
What technology helped clothes be made faster?
Sewing machines
Why is polyester harmful to the environment?
It doesn’t break down and releases microfibers into water.
Name two countries where secondhand clothes are often sent.
Ghana and Chile
Why is using better-quality materials helpful?
They last longer and are less harmful to the environment.
What problem does fast fashion cause for workers?
Poor working conditions and low wages.
What do we call brands like Shein that create styles in just days?
Ultra-fast fashion.
How long can polyester stay in landfills or oceans?
Hundreds of years.
What problem do unsold clothes cause in local environments?
They harm local environments when dumped.
What does "sustainable fashion" mean?
Fashion that doesn’t harm the environment or people.
Name two popular fast fashion brands.
Zara and Forever 21.
How were fashion seasons organized in the late 1800s?
Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer.
What natural fiber uses lots of water to produce?
Cotton
What are microfibers?
Tiny plastic particles that come from synthetic fabrics like polyester.
How can companies make fashion more sustainable?
By recycling materials and reducing production.