When it comes to sustainable fashion, one of the last things I personally think of is transportation. However, in a time when pollution is at an all-time high, we need to start questioning the ethics of transporting clothing, even when it is thrifted.
Globally, over 90% of clothing is transported by planes each year, accounting for 10% of the overall carbon dioxide output every year. As brands continue to produce massive amounts of clothing with little regard for the planet, and ship it over thousands of kilometres, the problem will continue to grow. There is a dire need for laws to be put on plane deliveries, specifically when it comes to clothing.
The Trip it Takes
The majority of people do not realize just how far the average piece of clothing travels. A study found that the majority of apparel starts in the form of raw cotton, which is produced in countries such as China and the US; it is then usually transported to South East Asia and then transported to a purchaser. Therefore, the average trip for an article of clothing amounts to 32,000 kilometres. If you do the math, your entire closet has most likely travelled the whole circumference of the earth.
Why Should I Care?
The fast fashion industry is the main contributor to the problem of clothing transportation, and almost every brand is to blame. In the current state of the world, as climate change has become a global crisis, it is difficult to ethically justify shipping any clothing. In 2022, SHEIN was named the largest fast-fashion site, doing over $16 billion in sales in the year 2022 alone. The company accounts for the majority of the problem when it comes to fashion transportation, and it is time that it is held accountable.
What Can I do?
For starters, it is important that we think twice before we purchase clothing from cheap stores or even established fashion companies. When it comes to sustainability, I, for one, tend to forget about the harms of transporting clothing across the ocean, as do a lot of people. It is important to realize that thrifting clothing is really only half of the solution if you are purchasing it at online resale stores such as Depop. It is important to remind yourself about the harm that can come from transportation before you purchase a piece of clothing. Think twice and start purchasing from local thrift stores and brands that don’t require shipping.
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