The Footprint of Fast Fashion

In an era where ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein launch thousands of new styles daily at rock-bottom prices, our wardrobes are overflowing while the planet pays the price. But what exactly is this cost, and how can we make better choices?

The overwhelming impact of the fashion industry

The fashion industry ranks as the second largest industrial polluter worldwide, responsible for 10% of global pollution — surpassing even aviation emissions.

Our relationship with clothing has fundamentally changed. Between 2003 and 2018, clothing usage decreased by 36%, with many young women considering garments "old" after wearing them just once or twice. Meanwhile, fashion brands have gone from launching 2 collections per year to up to 24 annual collections.

The fast fashion waste crisis

Spain presents a particularly alarming case. Each person in Spain discards an average of 20 kilos of clothing every year — nearly three times the European average of just 7 kilos.

Only 12% of used clothing is collected separately in Spain, while a staggering 88% of unwanted garments ends up directly in landfills.

This problem is especially relevant in Spain, home to some of the world's largest fashion companies. Groups like Inditex (Zara), Mango, and Tendam dominate the Spanish market, and the market has one of the lowest price indices in Europe for clothing and footwear — 8.6% cheaper than the EU average.

Ultra-fast fashion companies like Shein have accelerated this crisis. In 2012, Zara was able to design, produce, and deliver a new garment in just two weeks. New players like Shein have shortened this cycle even further, with garments ready for sale in as little as 10 days.

The case for second-hand clothing

One of the most impactful changes we can make is extending the lifecycle of our clothing. Research has shown that extending a garment's lifespan by just 9 months can drastically reduce its carbon footprint.

This is particularly relevant for items like baby clothes, which are often worn just a few times before being outgrown. These nearly new garments represent both waste and opportunity — perfect candidates for second-hand circulation.

Waki: a solution for circular fashion

Through Waki you can:

• Give your clothes in good condition a second life instead of sending them to landfill
• Find quality second-hand items without supporting environmentally harmful production
• Participate in clothing swaps and exchanges within your community
• Discover upcycling ideas to transform outdated pieces into something new

For items like baby clothes, toys, and other needs that are quickly outgrown, Waki creates a perfect circular economy where these items can continue serving families instead of becoming waste.

Making better choices

What can we do to reduce fashion's enormous footprint?

• Buy less: only 20% of the clothing we own is worn regularly
• Choose natural materials that last longer
• Care for clothes properly: washing at 30 degrees reduces energy use and extends garment life
• Research brands before buying