Problem
As fast fashion consumption and waste increases, there is a growing need to inform and educate consumers about its environmental impact, while offering sustainable alternatives for more responsible choices.
The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater, with over 85% of textiles ending up in landfills each year. Many consumers are unaware of these impacts or find it difficult to access information about the sustainability of the products they purchase. Growing consumer demand for transparency and sustainability is pressuring the industry to adopt more ethical and eco-friendly practices.
The challenge was to address this information gap and empower consumers to make more sustainable choices, reducing their contribution to waste and emissions.
$142 Billion
Market Size of Fast Fashion in US
62 Million Tons
Global Annual Fast Fashion Consumption
97 Percent (%)
import of clothing sold in US
In 2022, only 12% of textile waste was recycled globally and only 1% of discarded textiles were turned into new fabrics.
We mapped the entire range of activities that are required to bring fast fashion clothing items from conception through different stages of production, logistics and delivery, consumers and disposal. We then mapped the flow of petroleum, capital, chemicals and waste in each step of the process and the points of intersection and how those points are affecting the whole system.
The fast fashion market size has grown from $122.98 billion in 2023 to $142.06 billion in 2024 at a CAGR* of 15.5%.
*compound annual growth rate
Studied the global supply chain to understand the drivers and obstructors of these problems.
If you’re in the United States, your T-shirt travels an average of 6850 miles to get to you
Consumer awareness
Educating consumers about the environmental impact of their fashion choices can influence more responsible purchasing and disposal behaviors.
Policy level changes
Implementing regulations and policies that promote sustainable practices within the fashion industry can drive systemic change across production, logistics, and disposal stages.
We began by focusing on raising consumer awareness, with policy implementation and execution planned as part of the future scope.
Consumer awareness
Opportunities for Consumer Engagement in Sustainability
A Browser Plugin for Sustainable Choices
A browser plugin that informs users about the environmental impact of the products they are viewing, providing real-time alerts and suggesting more sustainable alternatives for better eco-friendly choices.
Smart system for awareness
The smart system diagram intricately maps out the journey of consumers navigating eCommerce platforms, tracing their interactions from website visits to purchase decisions, all while incorporating the pivotal role of a sustainability-focused plugin.
Sustainability Info Tags: Guiding Easy Recycling and Disposal
To empower consumers, we propose clear product labeling, carbon offset options, biodegradability information, and recycling instructions.
Design for disassembly
Designing for modularity and standardization of products and parts promotes mono-materials and modular components for efficient disassembly and recycling.
Ways of easy disassembly
01
Standard cutting patterns to reduce waste
02
Dissolvable stitching thread and rivets
03
Detachable buttons for easy disassembly
We created a comprehensive poster summarizing our research on sustainability in fast fashion, which was showcased at SF Climate Week 2024. Additionally, at San Francisco Design Week, I participated in a panel, sharing insights about the project and answering questions on the fast fashion system.
