Why is the Atacama Desert in Chile sometimes called a clothing graveyard?

The Atacama Desert in Chile is referred to as a "clothing graveyard" because it has become a major dumping ground for discarded garments produced by the fast fashion industry.1

This phenomenon is a direct consequence of the fast fashion business model, which prioritizes high-volume, low-cost production and encourages consumers to frequently replace inexpensive, often poor-quality items. Because these garments are frequently made from synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic—which are derived from fossil fuels—they are not biodegradable. Consequently, these discarded textiles accumulate in landfills, such as those in the Atacama Desert, where they remain for centuries.1

The accumulation of this waste highlights the severe environmental impact of the fashion industry, which struggles to manage the massive volume of textile waste generated by its rapid production cycles.1