23/09/2024
Fast Fashion Fuels Mental Health Struggles Among Gen Z
According to a recent study by secondhand wholesaler Garson & Shaw, half of Gen Z feel that fashion is contributing to their mental health issues. Intriguingly, despite being aware of the environmental and psychological harm induced by fast fashion, Gen Z continues to actively participate in it.
In the United States, more than 10 billion garments are thrown away annually, and 65% of Gen Z shoppers dispose of at least one top per month, surpassing other generations.
While 55% of millennials, 36% of Gen X, and 25% of Boomers do the same, Gen Z’s “eco-anxiety” is currently at its peak. Many of them are troubled by the environmental impact but still feel compelled to keep up with the fast fashion trend.
The report, titled “Promoting the Circular Textile Industry: A call for strategic policy action in the Americas,” identifies this pressure to frequently replace clothing as a significant driver of anxiety.
Half of Gen Z admits to buying fast fashion simply to fit in, with 43% avoiding outfit repeats after they’ve been seen both online and in person.
Despite this overconsumption, secondhand clothing offers a potential solution. According to Lisa Jepsen, CEO of Garson & Shaw, “The secondhand clothing sector can make young people feel good about buying clothes again,” while also helping the environment and the U.S economy by creating jobs and driving investments.
The report emphasizes the crucial role of the secondhand clothing industry in the U.S. in addressing these issues. The sector has saved an estimated 20 trillion gallons of water over the past decade and generated $25.6 billion in retail sales last year, with projections to reach $75.5 billion by 2033, as a 2016 report commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Additionally, it has created 342,000 jobs and generated $2.5 billion in tax revenues in 2023, a figure that could rise to $8.8 billion within the next decade.
“The message is clear: reuse clothing to help the environment and tackle climate change,” said Jepsen in a blog post.
“This message is especially important for young people who generally care about tackling climate change, but whose overconsumption of fast fashion is having the biggest impact here in the USA.”
Garson & Shaw is advocating for strategic government intervention to support the growth of the secondhand sector. Nearly 70% of respondents agree that the government should back the industry, with 53% calling for more direct investment.
The report urges policymakers to seize this “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to shift from disposable fashion to a circular economy, where reuse is prioritized.
To accomplish this, the company proposes several key actions, including channeling extended producer responsibility (EPR) funds towards reuse businesses, not just recyclers, and ensuring regulatory frameworks support the secondhand sector.
“An urgent shift is required from disposable fashion to a model where reuse is prioritized, aligning with global sustainability goals. Transitioning to a circular economy can dramatically reduce waste and environmental degradation, with the secondhand sector at the forefront of this transformation,” said the report.
“However, this can only happen if governments adopt supportive policies and incentivize innovation and scalability across the clothing value chain.”
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