Sustainability has become a major concern as an alternative to fast fashion. Several media reports have focused on the negative impact fast fashion has on the environment. includes large amounts of unwanted clothing shipped into the country for sale.
Fast fashion refers to inexpensive, stylish clothing mass-produced for commercial purposes. The clothes produced usually appeal to shoppers because they are affordable and trendy. When discarded, old clothes usually end up in landfills and gutters, harming the environment.
For more than a decade, Ghana has been the largest dumping ground for used clothing. According to available data, the value of used clothing shipped to Ghana has tripled from $65 million in 2010 to more than $180 million in 2020. increase. imports of that country.
Against this backdrop, some Ghanaian creators are striving for sustainable fashion and zero waste. Joyce Ababio is the founder of the Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design (JACCD). According to her, sustainable clothing is a priority for her company. “We buy some of these used clothes and recycle them into other things,” she said.
And Clara Pinkra-Sam, creative director and founder of Ghanaian fashion brand Clatural, said her company produces fashionable clothes while being respectful of the planet. “Being a unique and signature design, the mesh is sustainable in its production. With fresh fabrics, there is literally no waste,” says Clara.
Clatural also uses waste from other fashion houses in its production.
According to a United Nations (UN) report, the global fashion industry accounts for about 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions and uses more energy than the international aviation and shipping industries. One way carbon emissions occur is during transportation from fashion factories to retail stores. Another way is when the product is discarded by the consumer and taken to a landfill or incinerated.
Studies show that approximately 63% of textiles are derived from petrochemicals. This means that a significant amount of CO2 is emitted during the extraction and production of such non-renewable materials for fashion purposes. Some researchers predict that by 2050, a quarter of the world’s carbon budget will be spent on the fashion industry if things remain the same.
Also, fashion products made from synthetic fibers may contain microplastics. Although advertised as environmentally friendly, clothing made from recycled plastic can also pose a threat to the ecosystem. This is because it eventually flows into the sea.
Additionally, most dyes and chemicals used to color fabrics are highly toxic and unsustainable. This poses risks to workers and the natural environment. Many factories in developing countries lack proper equipment and control mechanisms. Because of this, wastewater is flushed into bodies of water and is unsafe for humans and animals.
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From https://www.treehugger.com/fast-fashion-environmental-ethical-issues-4869800 and https://citinewsroom.com/2022/10/how-used-clothing-from-the-uk-is- Info This story used fueling-ghanas-environmental-crisis