The truth behind fast fashion
Write a summary of issues covered in the documentary in no less than 150 words. Send your text as a comment. Choose 'anonymous' and sign your name at the end of the text.
Do not copy, be creative.
Deadline: September 24
Homework post for C9
So here we go. Your job is to pick a topic (or two) and write your opinion and arguments (+ examples) not more than 120-160 words. Student's book ex. 6 p.7. Deadline: March 4th. Enjoy it!
Comments
1.People are addictive to fashion, which is why fast fashion exists.
2.Many people buy clothes, but they never wear them (about 40% of clothes).
3.Poor people use clothes as a heat fuel by burning them.
4.Many people buy clothes, because of infuencers which are wearing them.
5.Over a 120.000 billion garments are produced in one year.
6.One german buys 42 kilograms of clothes every year.
7.Brands like H&M or Zara lie about their recycled clothes (its just a marketing trick).
8.More clothes were made of recycled plastic bottles than old clothes.
9.New clothes cant be made from textile blends.
10.Companies are selling used clothes to Eastern Europe (30 euros per 1 ton).
11.Many of compounds are released when clothes are burned.
12.These compounds increase air pollution.
13.Second-hand shops are the best way to reuse old clothes.
Bartosz
Burning clothes as a fuel along with emissions from cars is a cause of air pollution. There is a big connection between air pollution and health problems. When the air pollution is very big there are more respiratory or lung infections. There are also other types of stress response, for example increased blood pressure. It all happens in a very short period of time.
In my opinion fast fashion is not a good way to sell clothes. Of course, it has some advantages, but the number of problems is much bigger. If you want to be trendy you have to buy new things very often. It is really expensive and not everyone can afford it. Furthermore, the nice feeling of having new clothes doesn’t really last for long. A good solution is to buy second hand clothes. A lot of young people are doing it these days. It helps the environment, and the prices of clothing are a lot lower then the fast fashion clothes.
In the past I used to buy a lot of clothes from fast fashion industry. It was an easy way to buy good-looking and trendy items. But when I got to know all about the problems and bad influence on the environment, my attitude changed completely. Now I’m trying to buy second hand clothes from local shops. A good way to help the environment is to download fashion apps like Vinted. You can buy things that you like in affordable prices. You can also sell clothes you no longer wear. I’ve been using this app for over year now and it works great. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to buy trendy clothes in a good price.
Antonina
a lot of clothes so they use a lot of water and diffrent materials which pollute nature. The industry has reacted promising recycling but these are false pretenses. A lot of colthes end up in countries like Bulgaria. In these countries poor people burn up yhis clothes because they don' t have enought money to buy firewood. The clothes which they burn pollute the air, this is a big problem. The infuencers purning oil to problem with fast fashion becaouse they promote some sales on they social media. The journalist show us what witch clothes to some people which buys 26kg clothes per year. Some of this clothes were worn only onte time or never. The one man in documentary discovers that in "recycling clothes" there are only a litte bit material from old clothes. Than thrown colthes go to sorting where colthes with best The document tell us about fast fashion. The customers makes angry becaouse producents produce
a lot of clothes so they use a lot of water and diffrent materials which pollute nature. The industry has reacted promising recycling but these are false pretenses. A lot of colthes end up in countries like Bulgaria. In these countries poor people burn up yhis clothes because they don' t have enought money to buy firewood. The clothes which they burn pollute the air, this is a big problem. The infuencers purning oil to problem with fast fashion becaouse they promote some sales on they social media. The journalist show us what witch clothes to some people which buys 26kg clothes per year. Some of this clothes were worn only onte time or never. The one man in documentary discovers that in "recycling clothes" there are only a litte bit material from old clothes.Clothes with best garments are sold as second hand clothes but colthes with bad quality are recycled or use as insulation materials or wash rags. The people in Bulgaria sell whrown colthes to other people to burn this lothes as heating fuel.
The problem with "fast fahion" is very big becaouse the clothes which is thrown is burned. The clothes which is burned give a lot of harmful substances to atmosfere.
Tymek
A lot of teenagers, young people and also adults are buying a lot of stuff they don't actually need just because social media have influence on them. A lot of influencers make advertisement with clothes and when we see this ad many time we think that we must have this thing. But do we know that according to Greenpeace 40% of our clothes are not worn?
Those big brands are making false appearances of recycling. Their tags are confusing and gives us just a small part of realistic informations. On tags we just can find informations that tell us the product is made from recycling but nothing more.
Expert in this video tell us that 70% of newly produced clothes are made of synthetic fibers which are made of oil. Expert also says that we can’t produce new clothes from the old ones because this textiles are made of plastic bottles.
A significant part of these clothes hits to Eastern Europe where people use them as heating fuel and burn them. This behavior is very irresponsible because pollutes our environment what causes more and more chest infections.
Partial solution of this problem can be more second-hand shops where these clothes were thrown away but by selling them again they gain a new life.
A lot of teenagers, young people and also adults are buying a lot of stuff they don't actually need just because social media have influence on them. A lot of influencers make advertisement with clothes and when we see this ad many time we think that we must have this thing. But do we know that according to Greenpeace 40% of our clothes are not worn?
Those big brands are making false appearances of recycling. Their tags are confusing and gives us just a small part of realistic informations. On tags we just can find informations that tell us the product is made from recycling but nothing more.
Expert in this video tell us that 70% of newly produced clothes are made of synthetic fibers which are made of oil. Expert also says that we can’t produce new clothes from the old ones because this textiles are made of plastic bottles.
A significant part of these clothes hits to Eastern Europe where people use them as heating fuel and burn them. This behavior is very irresponsible because pollutes our environment what causes more and more chest infections.
Partial solution of this problem can be more second-hand shops where these clothes were thrown away but by selling them again they gain a new life.
Zuzia
Yes- it’s more clothes than when you were here last time. In last years, the speed of producing new clothing doubled- now it’s 120 billion annually. Sounds impossible, right? But it’s true. And it’s because of FAST FASHION.
Fast fashion is nothing else like producing lots of clothes that are in fashion for a short period of time. They are trendy, good- looking… you can’t just pass them away! The collections changes about 52 times a year… That’s crazy! The biggest clothes brands used to make 4 collections- one for spring, summer, winter and autumn - but now they bring up to 52 micro-collections – a new every week.
Now you can have something fashionable every time.
But you have to be alert- you have to remember to buy new clothes after a week to be in fashion!
Let’s think about why do we are so compliant when talking about fast fashion:
-having a pleasuring feeling of having something new and trendy to wear
-the influence of the influencers on social media platforms.
So, the clothes you have bought last Friday in the gallery are useless now!
Because of the fast fashion, the lifetime of bought clothes is getting shorter and shorter. The researches have shown that even 40% of the clothing is never worn.
So, what do we do with those “useless” clothes? Of course- we throw it away. Why should we keep them if they’re not in fashion now.
But think about the landfills full of clothes… that’s definitely not eco-friendly!
So, the customers became more critical about the sources of the materials for clothes. The industry replied in a big way.
Since 2013 H&M has offered to leave discarded clothes in a special container. After that, clothes will be used to make new textiles to “keep the loop closed”. The campaign is successful- H&M collected almost 30 000 tons of used clothing worldwide.
But did they fulfil the promise?
Unfortunately, it turns out that they did not at all. Because, as experts say, most of the clothes contains a lot of materials that can’t be recycled. It means that “recyclable clothes” do not really exist! Information about the percent of materials made from or clothing is not concrete and difficult to find anywhere. Even the shop’s answer doesn’t show the accurate and verifiable data.
In real, the clothes from the container end up in sorting companies.
There, the clothes with the highest quality are sold as second-hand garment in countries in eastern Europe like Poland, Romania or Bulgaria. There you can buy these clothes in kilos. The poorest part of population uses it to get their house warm, because they don’t have money for central heating or electricity. Unfortunately, the material of this garment is toxic while burning so it pollutes the air which causes for example lung disease. The high level of air pollution worries environmental organisations. It isn’t possible to keep the air clean and stop the global warming when people burn used clothes in their stoves!
But what can we do about that?
Instead of buying new clothes, why don’t we use the second-hand clothing? We should see all this advantages: cheap, eco-friendly and with a vintage style! Swapping clothes is also a good idea- maybe someone would like this blue skirt you bought a month ago and you like her green shirt? Swap!
As we can see, fast fashion isn’t good neither for our pockets nor the environment.
Before you buy another T-shirt which you will throw away after a month, think. Stop the fast fashion!
Lena
Antek
-Many people become addicted to fashion and buy more and more clothes, this is how fast fashion was created
-People buy clothes worn by famous people to feel like them
-Many people buy clothes, but they never wear them
-Brands like H&M or Zara lie about their recycled clothes
-Poor people use leftover clothes to burn and heat their homes
-When we burn clothes, many dangerous compounds that are harmful to our health are released into the environment
-More clothes were made from plastic bottles than from old clothes
-Over a 120.000 billion garments are produced in one year
-On average, one German buys 42 kilograms of clothes a year
-Second-hand clothing stores are a good way to give your clothes a second life
-New clothes cant be made from textile blends
-well-known companies sell used clothes to Eastern Europe at a price of 30 euros per tonne
-Big brands like h&m or zara release 52 micro collections per year the new one each week, It lead to shopping addiction
Maciej
Nowadays, fast fashion is becoming more and more popular, which means that clothing brands such as Primark, Zara and H&M release 52 micro-collections a year, with new items appearing every week. This action causes an increasing addiction to shopping among people. They buy larger and larger quantities of clothes, which end up in the trash after a short time. To prevent this, fashion brands create eco-friendlly clothes by claiming they are made from recycled materials. But is this really happening? Producers inform us on the labels that the clothes come from recycling. But is it possible? Kai Nebel says „ about 70% of newly produced textiles consist of synthetic fibers, which are made from crude oil and are difficult to recycle. So what happens to the clothes we recycle? Most often they go to Eastern European countries, such as Romania, Bulgaria or Poland, where they are mostly used for heating by combustion. This causes high air pollution and, at the same time, the emergence of respiratory diseases that threaten our lives. We are able to prevent this by buying or selling second hand clothing.
This documentary aims to make us aware of how fast fashion affects environment and how we can prevent it from causing more damage.
Ania
hania
The world of fashion has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last few years, giving rise to a phenomenon known as fast fashion. Fast fashion, which is all about making new clothes quickly and following the latest trends, has significant impacts on our environment, society, and health. A documentary highlights the issues with fast fashion, sharing important facts and problems related to this trend.
A big concern with fast fashion is that some people get addicted to it. They keep buying new clothes all the time because they want to stay in style with the latest trends. This addiction not only leads to excessive consumption but also contributes to the environmental and ethical problems caused by this industry.
Wasted clothing is another big issue brought to light. A significant number of people purchase clothes that end up staying in their closets, rarely or never seeing the light of day. This not only results in wasted resources but also highlights the disposability culture that fast fashion promotes.
Szymon
A concerning revelation from the documentary is the alleged misleading by certain well-known brands, such as H&M and Zara, regarding their recycled clothing. The truthfulness of statements about eco-friendly practices is questioned, which makes people wonder if the fashion industry is being open and responsible.
Another shocking aspect is the use of clothing as a source of heat for very poor families. In some cases, people burn leftover clothing to provide warmth in their homes. However, this practice releases harmful compounds into the environment, causing significant health risks.
Many clothes made from plastic bottles rather than old clothes show that the fashion industry depends on synthetic materials, which can harm the environment with microplastic pollution. Furthermore, the astonishing fact that more than 120 trillion clothes are made each year reminds us of the damaging effects of excessive consumption.
In Germany, for instance, the average person buys a staggering 42 kilograms of clothing per year. Such consumption rates contribute to the immense pressure on the fashion industry to continuously make more new collections, further fueling the cycle of fast fashion.
However, the documentary also points towards sustainable solutions. Second-hand clothing stores can help extend the lifespan of clothing items, reducing waste and providing consumers with more environmentally friendly choices.
However, problems continue, especially in reusing mixed fabrics, which are hard to turn into new clothes. Also, it's sad to know that big companies send used clothes to Eastern Europe for only 30 euros per ton, showing economic gaps and moral concerns in the industry.
Perhaps one of the most concerning marketing strategies are those of the big brands like H&M and Zara, which release 52 micro collections per year, effectively fueling shopping addiction with frequent new releases. This approach not only drives the cycle of fast fashion but also has harmful effects on the environment and consumers mental health.
In conclusion, the documentary on the dangers of fast fashion serves as a wake-up call for us all. It highlights the environmental, social, and psychological consequences of this industry's practices and urges viewers to reconsider their consumption habits. Making sustainable choices, like shopping at second-hand stores and pushing for more openness and responsibility in the fashion industry, is vital to reduce the problems of fast fashion and adopt a more responsible way of buying clothes. The documentary highlights the urgent need for change and the power consumers hold in shaping a more sustainable and healthy future for fashion.
The world of fashion has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last few years, giving rise to a phenomenon known as fast fashion. Fast fashion, which is all about making new clothes quickly and following the latest trends, has significant impacts on our environment, society, and health. A documentary highlights the issues with fast fashion, sharing important facts and problems related to this trend.
A big concern with fast fashion is that some people get addicted to it. They keep buying new clothes all the time because they want to stay in style with the latest trends. This addiction not only leads to excessive consumption but also contributes to the environmental and ethical problems caused by this industry.
Wasted clothing is another big issue brought to light. A significant number of people purchase clothes that end up staying in their closets, rarely or never seeing the light of day. This not only results in wasted resources but also highlights the disposability culture that fast fashion promotes.
A concerning revelation from the documentary is the alleged misleading by certain well-known brands, such as H&M and Zara, regarding their recycled clothing. The truthfulness of statements about eco-friendly practices is questioned, which makes people wonder if the fashion industry is being open and responsible.
Another shocking aspect is the use of clothing as a source of heat for very poor families. In some cases, people burn leftover clothing to provide warmth in their homes. However, this practice releases harmful compounds into the environment, causing significant health risks.
Many clothes made from plastic bottles rather than old clothes show that the fashion industry depends on synthetic materials, which can harm the environment with microplastic pollution. Furthermore, the astonishing fact that more than 120 trillion clothes are made each year reminds us of the damaging effects of excessive consumption.
In Germany, for instance, the average person buys a staggering 42 kilograms of clothing per year. Such consumption rates contribute to the immense pressure on the fashion industry to continuously make more new collections, further fueling the cycle of fast fashion.
However, the documentary also points towards sustainable solutions. Second-hand clothing stores can help extend the lifespan of clothing items, reducing waste and providing consumers with more environmentally friendly choices.
However, problems continue, especially in reusing mixed fabrics, which are hard to turn into new clothes. Also, it's sad to know that big companies send used clothes to Eastern Europe for only 30 euros per ton, showing economic gaps and moral concerns in the industry.
Perhaps one of the most concerning marketing strategies are those of the big brands like H&M and Zara, which release 52 micro collections per year, effectively fueling shopping addiction with frequent new releases. This approach not only drives the cycle of fast fashion but also has harmful effects on the environment and consumers mental health.
In conclusion, the documentary on the dangers of fast fashion serves as a wake-up call for us all. It highlights the environmental, social, and psychological consequences of this industry's practices and urges viewers to reconsider their consumption habits. Making sustainable choices, like shopping at second-hand stores and pushing for more openness and responsibility in the fashion industry, is vital to reduce the problems of fast fashion and adopt a more responsible way of buying clothes. The documentary highlights the urgent need for change and the power consumers hold in shaping a more sustainable and healthy future for fashion.
Szymon
Błażej
Companies like ZARA or H&M are providing containers for old clothes with promise of making new ones from the used, in return the customer is rewarded by 15% discount for their next purchase. The campaign is succesful. Unfortunetly, making new clothes with materials recycled from old clothes can not happen in most cases and it hardly ever happens, so in reality the clothing that is suppose to be made, and advertises itself to be made from old scraps is recycled polyester that does not come from the source, we think it does.
The used clothes from previously mentioned containers are mostly recycled and at most used as insulation materials or wash rags, only the best garmets are sold on as second hand goods, some of the recycled clothes are being sold to foreign countries. Large quantitis of textile waste go to eastern europe or other poorer countries where they are commonly used as heating fuel illegaly, otherwise the used clothing is sorted and resold on the second-hand market.
Burning clothes as fuel is very bad for the enviroment, has a huge impact on air polution and contributes to global warning.
To avoid dangerous environmental problems we should swap to second-hand clothes and stop buying from fast fashion designers and in return start to buy from second-hand shops more often.
Adam
Adam
Hubert
Martyna
In the past, we used to make higher quality garments. The collections didn't use to change very often; in fact there were only four collections, each for each season: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Nowdays, we have 52 micro-collections! That means there's different collection each week! It's crazy, isn't it? In reality, we don't need that many clothes, we just buy them because we're persuaded by the social media and influencers. When we see that one piece of clothing on almost every popular person we see on the Internet everyday, we just naturally want the same for ourselves. So, we just go to the shop, buy it and then, guess what? After a few days we see something completely different being worn by one of the important faces of social media. Again, we feel the urge to buy that thing, that's how the circle works.
Maybe you're wondering what happens to the clothes we buy due to overconsumption? Well, the research says that about 40% of clothes we buy are never worn. So, what happens next? Well, due to criticism of environmental organizations, the big fast fashion brands such as H&M came up with an idea of throwing the clothes we don't wear anymore to a special container. They assure us that they will make new clothes from the old ones. But is that really true? The research says it's not. It turns out that most of the materials of which the clothes are made cannot be recycled. So... why on the labels there's information that the product is made from recycling? In reality, it means that it's made out of recycled plastic from plastic bottles, not from the old clothes.
What happens to the stuff we put in the containers? It ends up in sorting companies. The best of the clothes with the highest quality end up in second hand shops. But the rest of them... They're sold to Eastern Europe and most of them are bought by the underprivileged people as a fuel because in some of the houses there is no central heating nor electricity. When clothes are being used as a fuel, it's very bad for the environment and for our health. Toxic chemicals that are released while burning clothes can cause for example lung disease or cancer.
So, what instead of fast fashion? What is the best alternative? The answer is: second hand clothes. They're very eco-friendly, a lot cheaper and when wearing them, your style is most likely to be very unique! Also, when you're buying from the fast fashion brands, choose your clothes wisely, don't buy everything you see on the Internet, you really don't need another pair of jeans just because your favourite celebrity wore them!
Magdalena
Julian Pelc
I will be speaking for another problem with clothes their popularity and overflow in productions now in 1 month there are produced about 12 million cloths and they need to sell or they will end up like clothes in topic above or they will be reproduced for new clothing in much or less Procentage. I want to say that i love fashion and i m interested in it but 1 and only thing about it that i dont like is speed of changing
to new styles by popular brands and thats why there is more and more un used clothing because people want to be dressed up in the best or newest style. thats my opinion about what is happening in the world of fashion and in normal world with too many clothes bye.
I'm sorry for being late i didint remember to post this as a coment
Oliwier