NEWS & CSR

Eco-Friendly Fabrics vs. Fast Fashion: Their Impact on the Environment and Textile Industry

28 Okt 2025 | News Category: -

We are becoming increasingly aware that the clothes we wear are not just about style or trends. Behind affordable prices and attractive designs lies a hidden story—from water consumption and carbon emissions to the mounting waste they leave behind.

Source: UCLA Sustainability

In this article, we invite you to explore two different paths within the textile world: eco-friendly fabrics and the fast fashion production model. Let’s understand how your choices as a consumer or industry player can make a significant difference.

What Are Eco-Friendly Fabrics?

Definition and Characteristics

Eco-friendly fabrics are textile materials produced, processed, and disposed of with minimal environmental impact. These include the use of organic materials, recycling processes, low-toxicity chemicals, and more energy-efficient, low-emission production systems.

Examples of Eco-Friendly Fabrics

Examples include organic cotton, linen, bamboo fiber, and recycled polyester. These materials are typically produced using higher sustainability standards, optimizing energy, water, and chemical usage. Textile industries adopting these materials are becoming the preferred partners for brands aiming to go “green” while maintaining quality.

What Is Fast Fashion?

Concept and Industry Growth

Fast fashion refers to a production model in which trends are rapidly replicated, mass-produced, and sold at highly affordable prices to satisfy ever-changing consumer demand. According to UniformMarket 2025, this model currently accounts for around 10% of global carbon emissions.

Characteristics of Fast Fashion Products

Fast fashion products are typically made from low-cost materials, produced with high speed and minimal quality control, and designed for short-term use — with consumers wearing them only a few times before disposal. Data from Earth.org shows that an average garment is worn just 7–10 times before being thrown away.

Environmental Consequences

Fast fashion has a massive environmental footprint: the fashion industry contributes ± 10% of global carbon emissions (surpassing aviation and maritime shipping) and produces up to 92 million tons of textile waste per year, according to Earth.org. Water consumption is also extremely high — for example, a single cotton T-shirt can require thousands of liters — and microplastic pollution from synthetic fabrics continues to rise.

Read also: Understanding the Spinning Process in the Textile Industry

Environmental Impact Comparison

Carbon Emissions and Energy Consumption

Fast fashion contributes significantly to global emissions, at around 10% of the total. Meanwhile, eco-friendly fabrics have the potential to reduce energy demand and emissions through better material selection, cleaner production, and longer product lifespans.

Textile Waste and Water Pollution

Fast fashion generates enormous textile waste, up to 92 million tons annually. Many synthetic materials are non-biodegradable, posing long-term environmental burdens. In contrast, eco-friendly fabrics can reduce waste through recycling, biodegradability, and extended wear cycles.

Product Life Cycle

Fast fashion is built on short usage cycles: rapid consumption, rapid disposal. Eco-conscious and sustainable textile production encourages longer life cycles—smarter purchasing, reuse, recycling, and designing for durability.

Source: CNN

Impact on the Textile Industry

Opportunities for Innovation and Sustainability

Industries adopting eco-friendly fabrics gain a competitive edge: sustainability becomes a valuable brand proposition, supported by emerging global regulations. Several countries have begun pressuring fast fashion companies to adopt more responsible practices.

Mass Production Challenges and Market Pressure

Fast fashion brands face constant pressure to produce faster and cheaper, often at the cost of sustainability and long-term product quality. Reports show many brands are falling behind in meeting their net-zero targets.

Shifting Consumer Preferences

More consumers, including you, are now aware of the environmental impact of clothing. Demand for sustainable textiles is rising, and brands that fail to adapt risk being left behind. This shift is accelerating the textile industry’s move toward sustainability.

We believe the future of the textile industry depends on the harmony between quality, innovation, and environmental responsibility. Your choice, whether driven by instant trends or long-term sustainability, has a real impact on the planet and future generations.

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