Diving into the Effect of the Fashion Industry on Our Oceans

Our clothes significantly affect how we present ourselves to others. What we wear can communicate our personality, social status, and beliefs. They can also contribute to our self-esteem and mood. 

However, they can also impact the environment, especially our seas. The fashion industry significantly contributes to ocean microplastic pollution and carbon emissions in the atmosphere, harming the freshwater fish populations. 

If you want to stay fashionable and environmentally responsible, this article will dive into the harmful effect of the fashion industry on our oceans. We'll also discuss how to combat fast fashion. 

Why Is the Fast Fashion Industry Problematic?

The fast fashion industry causes overconsumption, cheap and low-quality clothes production, and excessive waste. Clothing production significantly contributes to climate change, and we lose billions of dollars because of the lack of recycling and underutilization. You should also know that a large amount of clothing is in landfills. Moreover, the fashion industry is responsible for 8% of carbon emissions, and 35% of materials in the supply chain become waste.

Do We Eat, Drink, and Breathe Our Clothes?

The fashion industry contributes to 20% of global freshwater pollution and releases plastic microfibers that harm animals and humans. You can find synthetic fibers in the deep sea, Arctic sea ice, fish, and shellfish. You should also know that fashion accounts for 20 to 35% of microplastic in the ocean.

3 Ways to Combat Fast Fashion

After discussing the problematic fast fashion and some disturbing facts, here’s how ordinary citizens can stay environmentally responsible and stylish. 

1. Invest in Slow Fashion 

Unlike fast fashion, slow fashion encourages buying sustainable, high-quality, and timeless garments locally sourced and produced while valuing fair treatment of people, animals, and the planet's resources. It involves releasing a few specific styles per collection and may offer made-to-order options to reduce excessive production. It’s also the best time to buy from a sustainable surf brand.

2. Implement a Circular Business Model

This business model involves a rent-based closed-loop supply system that provides maintenance, recycling, reverse logistics, and waste disposal services. It emphasizes the significance of considering a product’s life cycle and encourages re-purposing and designing out waste and pollution. 

3. Change Your Washing Habits

You can help save our seas by washing your clothes on a shorter cycle, at lower temperatures, and with similar textiles. You should also use liquid detergent, throw lint filters in the trash, and do full loads to reduce friction. Moreover, find products to catch microplastics. 

6 Things Retailers Can Do

After discussing how to combat fast fashion as an ordinary citizen, here’s what retailers can do to help. 

1. Transition from the Fossil-Fashion Business Model

Create a plan to transition from fast fashion and synthetic materials and prioritize phasing out synthetic fibers in children's clothing due to health concerns.

2. Invest in True Circularity

Besides using recycled materials from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles or ocean plastic, you can create more durable garments, offer repairs, promote reuse, use eco-friendly recycling technologies, and avoid toxic chemicals. 

3. Stick to Comprehensive Climate Targets

Scientists urge companies to set targets to reduce supply chain emissions by 2030 by moving away from fossil fuels and fossil fuel-based fabrics. 

4. Ensure All Green Claims Are Legitimate

Companies must provide explicit and substantiated product claims, especially regarding recyclability, and not falsify them.

5. Be Transparent 

Provide complete information on all factories and supply-chain stages from where you sourced the textiles, don’t limit it to 'tier 1' and 'tier 2' factories.

6. Support Progressive Legislation

Support laws that improve recycling and transparency in the industry and encourage others to do the same. Never support initiatives that oppose or delay these laws.

Stay Fashionable and Save Our Seas

Our oceans face a global crisis, and we must act quickly to preserve marine life’s health. You can find excellent clothes and become responsible by buying from a sustainable surf brand, supporting progressive laws, and changing your laundry habits. 

If you need asustainable surf brand in Idaho, check out Salters Surf Shop! We offer eco-friendly apparel to help protect our seas during your salty adventures. Buy our products now!