EU should Charge Tax on Fast Fashion

The development of globalization has introduced a new business model to society known as fast fashion. Defined as a system that promotes new designs in stores every few weeks instead of following traditional fashion seasons (Okonkwo, 2016, p. 229), fast fashion has rapidly gained prominence. Originating in Europe, its key characteristics include low prices, a vast array of clothing options, and frequent style variations (Wilkinson, 2018). Prominent brands such as Zara and H&M exemplify this model by dispatching young designers to major fashion events regularly, allowing them to quickly replicate the latest trends.

Consequently, the time from design conception to retail shelf can be reduced to as little as two weeks, transforming the fashion industry's traditional two-season calendar into 52 mini-seasons annually (Wilkinson, 2018). While this approach has spurred economic growth, particularly in the European Union (EU), it is crucial to recognize the pressing need to slow down the fast fashion industry due to its detrimental impacts on the environment and society.

As the fast fashion industry burgeons, so does its environmental footprint. The EU should impose a tax on fast fashion to combat the significant textile pollution, waste, and unethical labor practices it perpetuates. While fast fashion undeniably stimulates economic growth, the environmental costs are substantial. In 2014, the average rate of clothing purchases surged by 60% compared to 2000, despite consumers retaining these garments for shorter periods (Singh, 2017). The fashion industry is now the second-largest polluter globally, trailing only behind the oil industry (Lupica, 2017). The rapid pace of fashion production has led to increased cotton demand, prompting extensive use of industrial pesticides and fertilizers that severely pollute soil and contribute to salinization (UN Environment, 2018). Furthermore, the Copenhagen Fashion Summit reports that an astounding 92 million tons of clothing waste are dumped into landfills annually (Dory, 2018). In the UK alone, a mere 1% of clothing is recycled yearly, while 300,000 tons of textiles are discarded (Retail Detail, 2019). Most of these garments comprise petroleum-based textiles, like polyester, which take decades to decompose, releasing microplastic fibers into water bodies and threatening aquatic life. Additionally, the fashion industry ranks as the second-largest water consumer, responsible for 20% of global wastewater and generating more greenhouse gas emissions than all international flights and shipping combined (UN Environment, 2018).

The production of one kilogram of cotton consumes up to 20,000 liters of water, while manufacturing a single garment can involve up to 8,000 different chemicals, resulting in significant waste and pollution (Reichart, 2019). Therefore, imposing a fast fashion tax is imperative to curb consumer overindulgence in cheap fashion, subsequently reducing environmental pollution, textile waste, and overconsumption. Moreover, this tax could mitigate the exploitation of child labor, a pervasive issue fueled by the fast fashion sector. Many garment manufacturers operate in low-wage regions, primarily in Asia, where approximately 260 million children are employed globally, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO) (Moulds, n.d.).

The fast fashion industry's insatiable demand for cheap labor often leads to the employment of children under hazardous conditions to meet consumer demands in Europe, the United States, and beyond. For instance, a 2011 investigation by Brazilian authorities uncovered that Zara's suppliers employed illegal migrant workers who endured 14-hour workdays for a meager monthly salary of 20 to 200 euros, sometimes involving underage workers as young as 14 (Govan, 2011). In Cambodian garment factories, workers were paid only $3 for 18-hour shifts (Govan, 2011). These exploitative practices are exacerbated by the use of harmful chemicals in garment production, exposing frontline workers to toxic substances and increasing cancer rates in their communities (Lupica, 2017). Despite these dire conditions, workers have little choice but to endure such environments for survival, sacrificing their health for inadequate wages.

By increasing the tax rate on fast fashion, the EU can help alleviate the demand for illegal labor, enabling apparel brands to raise production costs and establish fair market prices. This tax would support sustainable fashion practices and fair trade brands while addressing the harsh working conditions and inadequate compensation prevalent in the industry. Although introducing such a tax may temporarily slow market growth, the long-term benefits to the environment and society far outweigh the short-term economic impacts. As the fashion market expands, so do the associated waste and pollution, with an estimated $400 billion worth of clothing discarded annually (Reichart, 2019). Consumers, attracted by affordable and trendy clothing, often overlook the environmental consequences of their purchasing habits, discarding garments without a second thought once they go out of style (Dory, 2018).

To promote a sustainable textile industry, the EU should advocate for a circular economy in fashion by taxing fast fashion to reduce waste, prevent pollution, and minimize energy consumption. Though this may initially lead to reduced sales, it serves a greater purpose in fostering sustainable industry growth. Ultimately, we have only one planet to protect. In conclusion, imposing a fast fashion tax is crucial for the EU's development. Firstly, it would help decrease resource waste and environmental pollution caused by discarded clothing, while curbing consumer over-purchasing and excessive waste (Wilkinson, 2018). Secondly, the tax could significantly reduce child and slave labor, as international fast fashion brands predominantly operate in less developed countries (O'Grady, 2019). This would, in turn, lower the demand for exploitative labor practices.

Despite the rapid growth of the fashion industry and its contribution to economic expansion, the environmental degradation, resource depletion, and rampant child labor it fosters cannot be ignored. Taxing the fast fashion industry represents a practical solution to control these adverse effects and promote a sustainable future for the textile industry. Therefore, the EU should implement a fast fashion tax, considering the grading comments and addressing the structural, grammatical, and stylistic improvements outlined.

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