At a time when environmental advocates are calling the entire industry into question, fast fashion’s popular appeal appears unstoppable, judging by Shein’s annual revenue in its third-largest market. According to a public filing of the company, ReutersShein saw a 38% increase in revenue in the UK last year.

What’s going on?

Chinese fast fashion giant Shein generated £1.55 billion ($2 billion) in revenue from its operations in Britain in 2023. Bloombergcould value the firm at £50bn ($64.9bn); This figure creates more than one confusion.

“Is this the price we are willing to pay for disposable clothing?” Maxine Bédat, president of the New Standard Institute, which is pushing for fashion to develop more sustainably, asked: LinkedIn. “Or will each of us working in this industry start to be realistic and work towards collective action to demand that we, as an industry, operate within the limits of the planet?”

The global fashion industry is a significant contributor to the changing climate, which is particularly disruptive in countries on which the industry is heavily dependent for primary production, such as Bangladesh, China and Vietnam.

And Shein has become what Bédat describes as “the leading trash fashion player,” shipping ultra-cheap packages to customers around the world.

Why is it important to oppose fast fashion?

Fast fashion groups like Shein are now recording pollution levels rivaling major airlines, Bédat said. In numbers, the industry accounts for 3% to 8% of total heat-trapping pollution, and this figure could increase by around 30% by 2030. McKinsey’s estimates.

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Fast fashion also increases waste and pollution by producing massive amounts of clothing from low-quality materials (polyester is a thread made from plastic, itself made from oil and gas) that requires dirty energy sources. Research shows that many people throw away their clothes within a year, so it’s no surprise that at least 100 million tons of clothing ends up in landfills every year. earth.org.

Like Eliot Pryor, Greenpeace’s Digital Engagement Expert wrote last March: “Today’s trends are tomorrow’s garbage.”

Leaving the ecological perspective aside, the fashion industry relies on affordable labor. Shein in the past denied the accusations cheap or forced labor; but the company accepted Last year, it detected two cases of child labor at its suppliers.

What should the government do about the fast fashion industry?

Set strict regulations

Promote sustainable options

Use both regulations and incentives

Nothing

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What can be done to combat its effects?

Between There is a boom in the second-hand clothing trade, new european rules The industry is not short of solutions to reduce its environmental impact, with fashion manufacturers paying to recycle textiles and develop chemical-free fibers and biomaterials.

“California has set the rules for the automotive industry. We can do the same, we can pass Fashion Lawbut we must all come forward together and demand it,” Bédat said concluded. “I ask, I plead for courage and moral leadership.”

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