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Why do synthetic fast-fashion garments remain in landfills for centuries?
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fashion industry
A model walking the runway wearing an outfit from Off-White women's spring and summer 2020 collection during Paris Fashion Week, 2019.
Synthetic fast-fashion garments remain in landfills for centuries primarily because they are composed of non-biodegradable materials derived from fossil fuels, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic.1
While these synthetic fibers are inexpensive to produce and highly adaptable to mass manufacturing, they do not break down naturally in the environment. The fashion industry relies heavily on these materials to support a business model based on high volume, low cost, and frequent replacement. Because fast fashion encourages consumers to discard clothing after only a few uses, massive quantities of these non-biodegradable textiles accumulate in landfills globally, creating significant environmental waste.1