April 21, 2026
By Aryanah Cedeño
Staff Writer
This article is part of a four-part in-depth reporting series in recognition of Earth Month.
In recent years, the harmful environmental effects of fast fashion have become more visible to consumers. However, many people continue to support these brands, often without fully understanding the consequences for the planet.
Science teacher Ms. Manzella, who advises the Environmental Club, said fast fashion’s main environmental impact is the substantial waste it generates.
“Because many of these clothes are made cheaply, [they do] not hold up over time and cannot be reused or given new life,” Manzella said. “There is a major issue of clothes that are thrown away — even an excess of donated clothes — from countries like the U.S. that get shipped to other countries and become a waste issue for them.”
Manzella said clothing is often made of synthetic fibers like acrylic, nylon, polyester and spandex, which are made from petrochemicals. These materials release microplastics when washed, getting into waterways.
“Unfortunately, many of these microfibers are too small to get filtered and trapped by the wastewater treatment plants and wind up getting released into waterways like rivers, lakes and oceans. The microplastics can also end up in the sewage sludge produced by the wastewater treatment plants, where they can still get released into nature, depending on how the sewage sludge is disposed of,” Manzella said.
“They keep it [while] it’s trending, and then once it’s done trending, they stick it in the back of the closet, [and] they don’t use it. Then eventually, those clothes end up in a landfill, and it’s just a waste of clothes and money.“
She said many people are uninformed about the consequences of overconsumption or have not done research into how different brands manufacture clothing.
Manzella said manufacturers can help the environment by using sustainable fabrics.
“Using materials like organic cotton, hemp, linen and wool can break down more naturally, and using recycled fabrics cuts down on energy and water required to create more fabrics,” Manzella said. “However, large amounts of energy, water and land are required to create these natural fibers, which still take a while to break down on their own.”
Manzella said even recycled fabrics can shed microplastics and cannot be recycled infinitely.
“Using more natural and recycled fabrics should be done in tandem with trying to reduce the overproduction of clothing and educate consumers on the negative effects of overconsumption,” Manzella said.
Freshman Lexus Pomberger, public relations officer of the Environmental Club, said she learned about the environmental impacts of fast fashion from online sources, raising awareness.
“On TikTok and YouTube, I normally see videos about clothes just being thrown into a dump, and some of it can’t be processed properly,” Pomberger said.
She said about half of her wardrobe comes from thrift stores.
“I go thrifting because it’s cheap. It’s less money and also because some brands just mass produce,” Pomberger said. “It’s kind of annoying seeing that. I don’t really like mass production.”
Pomberger said she rarely purchases from fast-fashion retailers because their products are poorly made, but she said younger people are drawn to them for their affordability.
“They’re kids who don’t really make money. They probably get money for Christmas, and they’re like, ‘I’m gonna spend this on something cheap,’ like on Shein or on TikTok Shop and stuff like that. And when they keep on scrolling, they just keep on getting stuff that they want,” Pomberger said.
Freshman Angelina Megally, a member of the Environmental Club, said teens are especially drawn to fast fashion because the clothes are trendy and convenient.
“It’s appealing because it’s legit in the name, fast fashion,” Megally said. “They go into these malls, they get it, it’s in and out and they could look like the same people they see on social media. They could be up with the trends, and it makes them feel cool.”
Manzella said that consumers who purchase from fast-fashion retailers often discard clothing while it is still in good condition.
“They keep it [while] it’s trending, and then once it’s done trending, they stick it in the back of the closet, [and] they don’t use it. Then eventually, those clothes end up in a landfill, and it’s just a waste of clothes and money. [There is] also the pollution aspect. When [manufacturers] deliver the clothes, they waste so much gas,” Megally said.
She said even though she mainly shops for clothes at T.J. Maxx, Hollister and H&M, all of which sell fast-fashion apparel, she does not feel the need to change her shopping habits because, rather than following trends, she only purchases clothes she intends to wear for a while.
“The way I’ve shopped has always been efficient,” Megally said. “I wouldn’t buy anything I don’t find nice and usable.”
Megally said it is unfortunate that mass production has become a major part of the fashion industry.
“Any time a trend stops trending, you see all the same clothes end up in a landfill and then a bunch of hand-me-downs in [thrift] shops. So, I think it ultimately is a waste, but also is a part of fashion, because fashion thrives off of getting new things,” said Megally.
