The True Cost: A Grim Reality of Fast Fashion
While shopping, consumers are immediately drawn to outfit essentials that are affordable, trendy, and convenient at the same time. Although we may be cognizant of fast fashion's impact on the environment and economy, how often do we consider the conditions under which our clothing is made?
Step into the average American’s closet: out of ten pieces of clothing, roughly eight are produced in a sweatshop. And no, a sweatshop isn’t just a factory in which clothes are manufactured. Behind every small price tag hides a much larger cost: exploited employees, grueling labor, and high-risk environments.
The 2015 documentary, “The True Cost”, highlights this harsh reality that is faced by thousands of employees. According to director Andrew Morgan, garment workers are the lowest paid in the world, with some earning nearly a dollar each day. The film illustrates employees in Bangladesh protesting for better working conditions and increased minimum wages, only to be severely reprimanded by their manager for advocating against this cycle of poverty that sweatshops cause. The extreme lack of regulations that protect employees led to the collapse of Rana Plaza, an eight-story sweatshop that was poorly constructed. This was the worst-ever incident in the garment industry, killing more than 1,138 workers in 2013.
Since this tragedy, an effort called the International Safety Accord was put in place to improve the conditions of sweatshops across Pakistan and Bangladesh. Numerous brands and retailers joined to repair factories and renovate buildings to ensure employee safety.
However, nearly twelve years later, sweatshops still exist. Why? Consumer demand.
So, as consumers, what can we do to shop sustainably?
Look at your labels! While it can be difficult to identify what companies are more trustworthy than others, labels, such as “Cruelty-free” or “FairTrade” signify that these brands offer protection to employees, animals, and the environment.
Boycott companies that aren’t behaving ethically. Although brands such as Shein and Temu sell clothing at such a low cost, both of these companies have admitted to instances of child labor and excessively demanding work weeks for their employees.
Shop secondhand. Shopping at thrift or consignment stores or at flea markets is a great way to still find clothing at affordable prices while helping the environment.
Less is more. Do you really need those new shoes? You might want to think again. While advertisements stress that new possessions are necessary in order for us to be happy, “The True Cost” argues that materialistic values actually contribute to anxiety and decrease satisfaction.
Fast fashion thrives off of consumer decisions, but by understanding where our clothing comes from and by shopping mindfully, we can help shift the industry.
Contacts:
https://dol.ny.gov/how-identify-garment-sweatshops
https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/how-to-shop-ethically
https://cleanclothes.org/campaigns/the-accord/deaths-and-injuries-in-the-global-garment-industry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwp0Bx0awoE--True Cost Documentary, directed by Andrew Morgan
