The Fast Fashion Footprint: Evaluating Enviro...

The Fast Fashion Footprint: Evaluating Environmental Strain in India’s Textile and Apparel Sector

Author Name : Simranpreet Kaur

Overview of Fast Fashion and Environmental Impact Fast fashion is notorious for its substantial carbon footprint, with the fashion industry annually emitting approximately 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent into the atmosphere. A large portion of these emissions, around two-thirds, stems from the production of fibres used in clothing, including both synthetic fibres derived from fossil fuels and natural fibres requiring intensive farming practices. The rapid turnover of fashion trends has fostered a culture of disposability, where garments are often discarded after minimal use, contrasting sharply with past consumer habits of keeping clothing for longer periods. This shortened lifespan of clothing since 2000 has exacerbated the environmental impact of textile waste.