The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion

Americans discard over 34 billion pounds of used textiles annually, averaging over 100 pounds per person.

• Higher-income individuals generate 76% more clothing waste than those with lower incomes.

• 66% of discarded textiles end up in U.S. landfills, posing significant health risks to nearby communities.

• Landfills are disproportionately located in areas with higher BIPOC populations.

• Only 15% of used textiles are recycled, with many being exported to countries in the Global South, exacerbating environmental and health issues due to inadequate waste management systems.

Here is a link to the full article published in 2022:

Americans discard over 34 billion pounds of used textiles annually, averaging over 100 pounds per person.

• Higher-income individuals generate 76% more clothing waste than those with lower incomes.

• 66% of discarded textiles end up in U.S. landfills, posing significant health risks to nearby communities.

• Landfills are disproportionately located in areas with higher BIPOC populations.

• Only 15% of used textiles are recycled, with many being exported to countries in the Global South, exacerbating environmental and health issues due to inadequate waste management systems.

Here is a link to the full article published in 2022: https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2022/the-aftermath-of-fast-fashion-how-discarded-clothes-impact-public-health-and-the-environment/