Projects

I’m passionate about sustainability in the apparel industry, a commitment reflected in the research and papers I’ve written. Through these works, I’ve explored innovative, eco-conscious solutions that address industry challenges and support a sustainable future.

​

Bangladesh and Chile's Environmental Crisis 

 

Bangladesh’s river known as the ‘dead river,’ was once filled with underwater creatures

and has now been replaced with human waste. Although the water is unhealthy, the community

still relies on this water to live. The river smells bad all year long and the water appears pitch

black because of how polluted it is. The waste comes from untreated sewage, and chemical waste

from factories and fabric dyeing. Polythene and plastics appear piled up along the riverbed.

Fishermen in the area have been forced to find new occupations. For some people, their only

option is to bathe in the river which has caused their eyes to be red and swollen. Bangladesh is

the second largest garment exporter, so it makes sense that most pollution comes from textile

waste. There have been laws to combat the problem like in 1995 when they said factories should

have effluent treatment plants. The laws have not worked because there are not enough people to

enforce the rules.

The Atacama Desert in northern Chile has been a geographical landmark despite the

textile waste on the outskirts of the city of Ikikie. Tons and tons of second-hand discarded

clothing second-hand that have been imported to the county in huge bales from Asia, Turkey,

Europe, and the United States. The clothes go through a free trade zone which means no import

duties are paid. A small percentage of clothes are sold in Chile, but the rest is discarded. Chile

does not have many import laws. Since other countries have started to make policies on the

importation of secondhand clothing, more of that clothing goes to Chile. The textile waste

contaminates the soil and produces toxic chemicals into the air from sitting in the hot sun for

extended periods. Some people argue the importation of these clothes has more benefits than

harm because it increases the economic flow. Samet Jose says t Jose says clothing is not the

problem. Important clothing helps the economy and is used in a variety of ways. He says the real

problem is the cheap, excess number of clothes consumers buy. They want the clothing but not in

extremely copious quantities. 

​

The True Cost

​

Fast fashion has developed into a global industry driven by low production costs, rapidly changing trends, and increasing consumer demand. As clothing companies have shifted much of their manufacturing overseas, lower labor and production costs have allowed brands to offer clothing at increasingly affordable prices. While this has made fashion more accessible to consumers, it has also contributed to a culture of overconsumption in which clothing is frequently viewed as disposable rather than something intended to last.

​

The traditional fashion calendar has evolved from a limited number of seasonal collections to a continuous cycle of new trends and product releases. Low-cost manufacturing allows companies to quickly replenish stores with new styles, encouraging consumers to purchase more frequently. As a result, significant amounts of clothing are discarded each year. Even donating unwanted garments does not necessarily eliminate textile waste, as many donated items cannot be resold and may ultimately enter landfills or be exported to developing countries. In some cases, the volume of exported secondhand clothing can overwhelm local waste systems and contribute to environmental pollution.

​

The environmental consequences of the fashion industry extend throughout the supply chain. Textile production, dyeing, leather processing, and agriculture can require significant amounts of water and chemicals and may contribute to pollution when waste is not properly managed. The True Cost highlights examples in India where communities located near textile and leather production have experienced the effects of contaminated water, chemical exposure, and intensive pesticide use. These examples demonstrate that the environmental cost of inexpensive clothing is often experienced most severely by the communities responsible for producing it.

​

Fast fashion also raises significant concerns surrounding labor practices. Garment workers in developing countries may face low wages, unsafe working environments, and limited worker protections. At the same time, factory employment can provide an important source of income in areas with limited economic opportunities. This complexity reinforces the responsibility of global fashion companies to ensure that affordability and profitability do not come at the expense of worker safety, fair labor practices, or environmental well-being.

​

Watching The True Cost changed the way I think about my own relationship with fashion. As both a consumer and someone pursuing a career in the apparel industry, it made me more aware of the decisions that occur throughout a garment's life cycle—from sourcing and manufacturing to purchasing and disposal. It also reinforced the importance of considering not only the price of a garment, but the broader human and environmental costs associated with producing it.

​

While the challenges surrounding fast fashion cannot be solved by one individual, consumers and industry professionals can still make more thoughtful choices. Personally, I want to become more intentional about what I purchase, prioritize secondhand clothing when possible, and extend the life of garments through resale, repair, and upcycling rather than immediately discarding or donating them. Ultimately, The True Cost reinforced my belief that fashion can be creative and accessible while still placing greater value on people, resources, and the longevity of the products we create.

​

The True Cost. Dir. Andrew Morgan. Distributor: Bullfrog Films, 2015. Docuseek2. Web. 1 Mar 2024.