What’s the Real Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion?
Published by: Siobhan Ingram
Date: 06-28-2025
Fast fashion makes cheap clothes tempting.
But behind the low prices are devastating costs to the planet.
The apparel industry is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions.
It’s one of the largest consumers of water in the world.
And millions of tons of clothing end up in landfills every year—often after being worn only a handful of times.
At FCE, we believe custom merch should be part of the solution—not the problem.
That means choosing sustainable fabrics, ethical suppliers, and designs that are meant to be worn and loved for years—not tossed after one event.
When brands invest in higher-quality, responsibly-made gear, they extend the life cycle of every piece.
They reduce waste.
They create less pollution.
One nonprofit we partnered with printed a single, high-quality hoodie for their volunteers—rather than handing out multiple cheap shirts for different campaigns.
Volunteers wore those hoodies for years.
And the nonprofit saved money and made a better environmental impact.
Fast fashion is built on speed.
Sustainable merch is built on pride.
And pride lasts longer.