If you go into your closet right now, it's likely that most of your habiliment tags read, "Made in China." This is a result of large retail companies similar H&M and Forever 21 using a technique chosen outsourcing to produce their wearing apparel. Outsourcing occurs when a company hires an outside party to create their products. With large companies, this often occurs in locations outside of the country, in places where there are lower working wages and so the price of making the products is cheaper. This is the reason that H&M and Forever 21 are capable of selling dress for cheap prices. However, this comes at a toll.

These department stores often outsource in Asian countries, such as China, India, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Myanmar. Some of these countries have labor laws that aren't as good as the U.S. For example, in 2017, there was a trigger-happy riot of workers in a Myanmar H&Thousand factory protesting poor labor conditions. The Myanmar minimum monthly wage was simply $63, with six-twenty-four hour period piece of work weeks. Therefore, they only made roughly $2.63 a solar day.

Moreover, the people working in these factories often have to work faster to keep upwardly with the production of new apparel that keep stores in style, which is where the term fast fashion comes from. Since the production is so rapid, the quality of the wearable fabric is likewise quite cheap. This lifetime of a piece of clothing fabricated in fast fashion is brusque, forcing yous to purchase new clothes over and over again. It takes a large amount of free energy and resources to make clothing in fast fashion. For example, 500-1800 gallons of water are needed to produce the cotton in a single pair of jeans.

Fast fashion relies on cheap labor that doesn't back up employees and creates low-quality, non-eco-friendly products. To avoid supporting these companies, here are some things you can do to instead of purchasing fast fashion:


1) Thrifting
 People resell older clothing in thrift shops that accept ordinarily already been worn for cheaper prices. Thrifting has become very popular in recent years and information technology'south also a sustainable option because you're extending the lifetime of a piece of clothing past buying someone else'southward clothes they no longer wear. Also, some places where you lot can buy second-hand clothing around Chapman are Deelux and other antique shops.

two) Online Thrifting
 Besides physical austerity shops, there are many different online thrifting websites such equally Thredup and Depop. Anyone who makes an account on Depop can resell their clothing for free past taking pictures of their clothes and posting them to their business relationship.

iii) Purchase from Sustainable Brands
 Some sustainable brands are Reformation, Everlane, Tradlands, and Patagonia. 72% of the Patagonia clothing line uses recycled materials and besides made a goal for consummate carbon neutrality in 2025. Patagonia besides has their Worn and Wear service, which is where a client resells their used Patagonia vesture dorsum to Patagonia and they receive online/in-store credit in return. Other people can and so buy these used Patagonia products for cheaper prices. They also treat their employees well, granting them paid maternity and paternity exit likewise every bit on-site child care. Patagonia also holds pop-upwardly events at the Seed's People Market in the Anti-Lab Mall in Costa Mesa. Because of the higher quality material and worker benefits, the cost of the clothes is also more expensive, only it's great if you can afford to buy sustainable clothing!

4) Repair your Clothes

If you accidentally rip a hole in your jeans, take out a needle and thread to patch information technology upwards. Also, if you can't repair your clothes on your ain you tin can bring them to a article of clothing repair service that tin do information technology for you!

5) Acquire more about Fast Fashion

You can always larn more about fast fashion. Some interesting documentaries regarding fast fashion and outsourcing are the True Cost on Netflix and River Blue.

6) Become involved
There are some student organizations on campus such equally CU Thrifties and Borough Engagement's Swap Non Shop that promote sustainable way.

Now that you know a chip more about fast mode and outsourcing, we encourage you lot to remember almost your decisions regarding your clothing purchases more!

Thank you to Maya Cheav for writing this guest piece! Subscribe to our Green Panther Newsletter here! Also, make sure to follow us on Instagram @sustainchapman!