什么是快時尚——為什么它是個問題?

什么是快時尚——為什么它是個問題?

Fast fashion describes cheap, stylish, mass-produced clothes that have a huge impact on the environment. These garments appeal to shoppers because they are affordable and trendy. But because they aren’t built to last and quickly go out of style, these clothes are quickly discarded, piling up in landfills.

“快時尚”指的是對環(huán)境產(chǎn)生巨大影響的廉價、時尚、大批量生產(chǎn)的服裝。這些服裝吸引購物者，因為他們負(fù)擔(dān)得起和時尚。但是，因為它們不耐用，不容易過時，這些衣服很快就被丟棄，堆在垃圾填埋場。

In addition to environmental issues, fast fashion garments spark a lot of ethical concerns. They are often made in sweatshops where workers are employed for long hours in unsafe conditions.

除了環(huán)境問題，快時尚服裝還引發(fā)了許多倫理問題。它們通常是在血汗工廠制造的，那里的工人在不安全的條件下工作很長時間。

The average American purchases about 70 pieces of clothing per year.Andrei Stanescu / Getty Images

The Definition of Fast Fashion

快時尚的定義

In 1960, the average American adult bought fewer than 25 items of clothing each year. The average American household spent more than 10 percent of its income on clothing and shoes. And, about 95% of clothes sold in the U.S. were made in the U.S.

1960年，美國成年人平均每年買不到25件衣服。美國家庭平均花費收入的10%以上在服裝和鞋子上。在美國銷售的服裝中，大約95%是在美國制造的。

But things began to change in the ‘70s. Massive factories and textile mills opened in China and other countries throughout Asia and Latin America. With the promise of cheap labor and material, they could mass-produce inexpensive garments quickly. By the ‘80s, a few big American retail stores began outsourcing production.

但到了70年代，情況開始發(fā)生變化。大量的工廠和紡織廠在中國以及亞洲和拉丁美洲的其他國家開業(yè)。有了廉價的勞動力和材料，他們可以迅速大量生產(chǎn)廉價的服裝。到了80年代，美國一些大型零售商店開始外包生產(chǎn)。

The Problems With Fast Fashion

快時尚帶來的問題

Although consumers might enjoy having inexpensive and stylish clothes, fast fashion has been criticized for its environmental and ethical impact.

雖然消費者可能喜歡便宜時髦的衣服，但快時尚一直因其對環(huán)境和道德的影響而受到批評。

Textile Waste

紡織廢料

The average American throws away about 70 pounds of clothing and textiles each year. Srdjanns74 / Getty Images

We’re more likely to throw away cheap, trendy clothes than more expensive, timeless pieces. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 16.91 million tons of textile waste were generated in 2017, of which only 2.6 million tons were recycled.

我們更有可能扔掉便宜時髦的衣服，而不是昂貴的、永恒的衣服。根據(jù)美國環(huán)境保護(hù)署(EPA)的數(shù)據(jù)，2017年產(chǎn)生了1691萬噸紡織廢料，其中只有260萬噸被回收利用。

CO2 Emissions

二氧化碳排放

Besides the sheer bulk of waste in landfills, fast fashion has an impact on the environment through carbon emissions. The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global CO2 emissions each year, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. That’s more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. Researchers project that if things don’t change, by 2050 the fashion industry will use up a quarter of the world’s carbon budget.

除了垃圾填埋場的大量垃圾，快時尚還通過碳排放對環(huán)境產(chǎn)生影響。據(jù)艾倫·麥克阿瑟基金會稱，時尚業(yè)每年的二氧化碳排放量占全球總量的10%。這比所有國際航班和海運加起來還要多。研究人員預(yù)測，如果情況不改變，到2050年，時裝業(yè)將消耗世界碳預(yù)算的四分之一。

Water Pollution

水污染

In addition to CO2 pollution, these clothing items can contribute to marine pollution. Clothes made out of synthetic fabrics can contain microplastics. When they are washed or if they are sitting in a landfill and are subject to rains, these tiny shreds of plastic are flushed into wastewater systems and eventually make their way out into the ocean.

除了二氧化碳污染，這些衣物還會造成海洋污染。合成纖維制成的衣服可能含有微塑料。當(dāng)它們被洗掉，或者被埋在垃圾填埋場，受到雨水的侵蝕時，這些微小的塑料碎片會被沖進(jìn)廢水系統(tǒng)，最終進(jìn)入海洋。

Unsafe Labor Conditions

不安全的勞動條件

In order to mass produce so many inexpensive garments so quickly, items often aren’t ethically made. Factories are often sweatshops where laborers work in unsafe conditions for low wages and long hours. In many cases, children are employed and basic human rights are violated, reports EcoWatch.

為了快速批量生產(chǎn)這么多便宜的衣服，這些衣服的生產(chǎn)往往有違道德。工廠往往是血汗工廠，勞動者在不安全的條件下工作，工資低，工作時間長。據(jù)EcoWatch報道，在許多情況下，兒童被雇傭，基本人權(quán)受到侵犯。

Alternatives to Fast Fashion

快時尚的替代品

The aptly named alternative to fast fashion is slow fashion.

快時尚的另一種選擇是慢時尚。

Coined by eco textiles consultant and author Kate Fletcher, the phrase is about buying ethical, sustainable, quality garments.

這個說法是由環(huán)保紡織品顧問和作家凱特·弗萊徹提出的，指的是購買合乎道德、可持續(xù)、高質(zhì)量的服裝。

“Slow fashion is a glimpse of a different – and more sustainable – future for the textile and clothing sector and an opportunity for business to be done in a way that respects workers, environment and consumers in equal measure,” Fletcher writes. “Such a future is but a garment away.”

弗萊徹寫道:“慢時尚是紡織業(yè)和服裝業(yè)一個不同的、更可持續(xù)的未來的一瞥，也是一個以平等尊重工人、環(huán)境和消費者的方式開展業(yè)務(wù)的機(jī)會。這樣的未來近在咫尺。”

Repairing and Donating

修補(bǔ)和捐贈

There are more steps you can take to make sure the clothes you have last longer or don’t end up in a landfill.

你可以采取更多的步驟來確保你的衣服穿得更久，或者不會被扔進(jìn)垃圾填埋場。

Wash clothes only as necessary, then use a gentle detergent, to extend their life.

只有在必要時才洗衣服，然后使用溫和的洗滌劑，以延長它們的壽命。

Repair rips, broken zippers, and lost buttons instead of tossing damaged items.

修補(bǔ)破損的拉鏈和丟失的紐扣，而不是扔掉損壞的物品。

Donate what you no longer wear. Use this location finder from the Council for Textile Recycling to find a donation/recycling center near you.

捐出你不再穿的衣服。利用這個紡織物回收委員會的定位器可以找到你附近的捐贈/回收中心。

Have a clothing exchange with friends.

和朋友交換衣服。