Need to know

Fast fashion is a form of textile manufacturing that prioritizes speed and profit over environmental responsibility and ethical labor practices. The decisions made within this business model often harm ecosystems through toxic wastewater, microplastic pollution, and excessive energy consumption.

Fast fashion has emerged in response to shorter trend cycles and the pressure to produce and sell clothing as quickly—and cheaply—as possible.

The Environmental Impact

The fashion industry—especially fast fashion—is the second-largest consumer of water and is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions.

• It takes about 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt.

• A single pair of jeans requires around 2,000 gallons of water.

• A 2017 report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated that 35% of all microplastics in the ocean come from washing synthetic textiles like polyester and acrylic.

Fast fashion also influences consumer behavior. The average American now throws away about 82 pounds of textile waste each year. This is due, in part, to rising consumption rates and shorter use periods for each item of clothing.

The Hidden Cost of Cheap Clothing

Fast fashion appeals to consumers by offering trendy items at low prices. However, lower cost often means lower quality. Common fast fashion materials like polyester and nylon are not biodegradable—they can take decades (or longer) to break down in the environment. As a result, many garments end up in landfills, continuing to pollute the planet long after they’re worn.

How to Spot Fast Fashion

Fast fashion brands have become increasingly difficult to identify, often using greenwashing—making misleading claims about sustainability—to appear eco-conscious.

Here are some questions to ask when evaluating a brand:

• Are they transparent about their production process?

• Do the prices reflect ethical sourcing and fair labor?

• How many items are they selling, and how often do they release new collections?

• Are they constantly chasing trends with frequent product drops?

• Do they share information about factory conditions or worker treatment?

• Are most of their items made from synthetic materials?

Consumption

Sustainable fashion isn't always easy. It can feel overwhelming, and it’s often hard to know which brands or items are truly environmentally friendly. But small, intentional choices can make a big difference.

One key thing to remember: Avoid overconsumption whenever possible.

Overconsumption means buying more clothing than you truly need or can regularly use. Clothes are meant to be worn—when we own too much, many items sit unused and eventually end up as waste. Shopping sustainably means purchasing with purpose: only buy what you need and plan to wear for a long time.

 Smart Ways to Shop Sustainably

You can still enjoy fashion while being mindful of the planet. Here are a few ways to make more sustainable clothing choices:

• Upcycle clothing you already own. Refresh older items by adding new elements, tailoring them, or turning them into something completely new.

• Buy from ethical clothing brands. Look for companies that are transparent about their materials, labor practices, and sustainability efforts.

• Shop secondhand. Explore thrift stores, consignment shops, or online resale platforms to give pre-loved clothing a new life.

Sustainable Clothing Disposal

When it's time to part with your clothing, try to avoid simply throwing it away. There are many sustainable disposal options—you just need to know where to look.

Here are some effective ways to dispose of unwanted textiles:

• Repurpose. Give old clothing a second life by turning it into cleaning rags, tote bags, art materials, or even a quilt.

• Pass it on. Share clothing with friends or family members who can continue using it—hand-me-downs never go out of style.

• Host a clothing swap. Organize an event where people in your community can exchange clothing. It’s fun, social, and eco-friendly.

• Recycle. Send items to textile recycling programs or return them to brands that offer recycling services for used garments.

• Donate. Drop off clothing at donation centers, thrift stores, shelters, or organizations that redistribute clothing to those in need.

Events

Fix-it Clinic | June 28 from 11:00am – 2:00pm

• Fashion Industry Presentation

• Clothing Swap

• Bring up to 5 pieces of clean gently used clothing. This can include outerwear, tops, bottoms, bags, and kids clothing.

• Check-in and drop off your clothing.

• Pick out the items you would like to swap for

• Note: you can only take as many pieces as you brought to the clothing swap. (i.e. 5 items brought = up to 5 items can be taken home)

• Make sure to bring a bag to take your items home in!

• Check out your new items and take our anonymous survey.

• Clothing repair areas

Programs

Textile Reuse Project – Thrift Stores and Art Programs

We are developing a plan to partner art programs around the City of Chula Vista with thrift stores, under the goal of diverting textile waste from landfills and into the hands of talented artists. The art schools involved will be able to acquire free used textiles from a thrift store in order to use the materials in innovative mixed media art projects. Textile waste continues to have a large negative impact on our environment, and we aim to reduce that impact with this program. Circularity is the system of minimizing waste and keeping items/materials in use for as long as possible. This program prioritizes circularity and waste reduction.

If you have an art program and are interested in participating, please contact the City of Chula Vista Environmental Services at environmentalservices@chulavistaca.gov.