Have you walked past the counters of fast fashion brands? You’ll often see there’s a new or ongoing environmental initiation or programme. Well, there’s a difference between their policies and practices.
How Greenwashing is used to brainwash!?
A fast fashion store started a popular campaign, where you could take your old clothes for recycling and get a discount to buy more clothes. Anyone who feels inclined to protecting the environment sees this as a great opportunity, albeit misguided, to do their part.
Sustainable Clothing+Poor labour practices?
Have you noticed many brands have an ‘eco-friendly collection’? Where they use organic or recycled materials to make their items. Sounds too good to be true? In many cases, it probably is! If the garment is made with better materials but by voiceless women and men (who receive poor wages), is it really green?
Look Closer!
As a consumer, we need to stay informed so we do not fall for such programs. Take for example, a credit card. At first, it seems like a smart idea. You can buy things now and pay later. But in the end, you end up paying back much more!
Similarly, such programs are sugar-coating the reality. The simplest way to be aware is by knowing the core nature of the brands. Fast fashion brands pay their workers lesser wages and have little to no regard for the waste they leave behind (in terms of clothes and pollution).
If you do want to support ethical fashion, look out for a ‘Fair Trade’, Global Organic Textile Standards for the organic fabrics, Lenzing Modal® and Tencel® tag on the inner label of the piece.
Let me know in the comments below how you combat brainwashing by brands!
ZephyrGirlBlog 