'Second-hand' Culture: Your Most Practical Conscious Consumerism Way
Social media, the youth, and fast fashion are almost like the holy trinity of the current phenomenon. The youth needs the fast fashion industry so they are not left behind by the growing trends of social media. The growing mindset is to keep buying the cheapest goods in the cheapest way to keep with the trend. On the other hand, for the fast fashion industry, social media is the main tool to gain a profuse amount of economic advantage from their main target market; the youth. Unfortunately, this habit of getting everything instantly without thinking of the long-term impact has caused many environmental and social issues around us. How bad is the fast fashion industry impacting the environment? And how can the younger generation break this poor habit and become more aware of consuming clothes?
Recently, the fast fashion trend has been a new phenomenon that is undeniable in today’s society beyond the young generation. The industry is even now referred to as a large-scale manufacturing industry which continuously innovates and is demanded to keep up with the flow of time sold at affordable prices to be accepted in society, resulting in overproduction and overconsumption. Not to mention the existence of social media which nowadays become a weapon for these fast fashion companies or producers to promote their goods. In addition, it has become very familiar for companies to promote their goods through influencers with a large amount of followers. This strategy is frequently used because of the power that these influencers hold to influence people to adopt, even copy the lifestyle that they show in social media.
It is almost an everyday’s view to see public figures promoting fast fashion through social media. As if there isn’t a clear sign that the nonstop consumption of fast fashion items has caused a lot of problems within our surrounding. Let’s take a look at textile waste as the starter where it has become the biggest plastic polluter. The industry’s process of producing an excessive amount of water causes carbon dioxide (CO2) release while also using non-renewable resources. In addition, the fast fashion industry has resulted in the habit of buy - use - throw due to its low quality products which eventually shortened the life of the fashion products itself. Research shows that out of 200 million pieces of clothing produced in the world annually, 85% of it ended up in landfills which eventually will produce methane gas that could pollute the air and threaten the climate. Not only will it contaminate the environment, it will also relieve the meaning and value of clothing and we no longer have attachment to the clothes we wear.
Beyond the environmental impact, it also caused a major social issue where the fast fashion industry more often than not was irresponsible on employment. To be able to produce such fastest and cheapest products, the industry would hire low skilled workers with lowest salary offers and most unsafe working conditions. Worse, we would see many underage workers being exploited in the industry which usually happens in developing countries. Take Bangladesh as an example. The country is the second-largest producer in the garment industry and is home to more than 8,000 garment factories, but unfortunately the workers only earn $25 to $75 a month. This is not only unfair because it doesn’t match the proper living cost, but also it is not worth the risk one has to face everyday. News covered how Bangladesh garment industry had few incidents that eventually injured their underpaid workers whose insurances are not covered. Now it becomes visible how a piece of cloth is possible to cause an impact for other beings. Yes, your cheap shirt might be trendy, but do you know what the actual cost is before it arrives in your hand?
“As a model, I am often required to have a lot of fashion items which sometimes I even have the same items in different colors. My way to reduce my consumption despite the pressure of providing them is to borrow them from someone else so I don’t always have to buy instantly. Even if I have to buy the new ones, I will sell them at a cheap price.”
- Danella Ilene, Winner Indonesia’s Next Top Model Cycle 1
Gladly in the midst of this nightmare, we start to see a shining light. The discourse of slow fashion practices is developed within the generation. Not to mention we begin to see how plenty of influencers have been aware of the impacts of promoting new fashion items everyday so it’s not uncommon for them to take mitigation steps such as selling their preloved goods at a cheaper price with the hopes of these goods can be adopted by other people who are able to provide added-value to it. The clothes they received through endorsements and/or as gifts are often still sold in excellent condition. The culture of buying preloved or secondhand clothes could be categorized as a starting practice of mindful consumption. This culture allows people to get new clothes without having to conduct a non-earth friendly production process. Imagine how many clothes will be saved from the landfills out of this beautiful habit!
With this mission, Pratisara Bumi Foundation along with Tri Cycle organized a garage sale with the title #BukanBajuBaru Market where we collaborated with several influencers and the environmental activist community to take advantage of the Eid momentum and the growing culture of thrifting among the youth to answer environmental issues caused by the fast fashion industry. Making a lot of impacts at one activity is what the garage sale is all about! Through the event, we have successfully handed over 234 pieces of clothing to their new homes and extended their life cycle. 35% of the selling profit will be used to support women who are building sustainable business in Bali, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Kalimantan, and Aceh. So, with just a single amount of preloved clothing, you have contributed to save the world from the fast fashion industry!
References:
https://journal.uny.ac.id/index.php/ptbb/article/download/44683/16689