Part 4/11:
While this adaptive model enhances shareholder profitability and minimizes unsold inventory, it contributes to a culture of disposable fashion, leading consumers to frequently purchase and subsequently discard clothing.
Environmental Consequences of Fast Fashion
The environmental ramifications of Shein’s production cycle are severe. The brand's reliance on inexpensive synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon—derived from fossil fuels—results in significant carbon emissions during extraction and production. Moreover, the fashion industry is known to be the second largest consumer of water globally.