[INFORMATIVE] The Impact of Microtrends on the Environment

The Impact of Microtrends on the Environment

By: Lane Allert

What are microtrends and their effect on the environment?
Microtrends are trends, usually clothing items, that rapidly increase and then decrease in popularity in a very short amount of time—from weeks to months. This is mainly due to social media such as Instagram and TikTok and has resulted in the mass disposal of clothing items as well as massively increasing consumerism.

The problem with microtrends is that they are cycling in and out so fast that people sometimes simply throw them away after only wearing them a few times, if at all. Microtrends have also promoted excess purchases, as people are pressured to remain “trendy” and purchase the newest thing instead of wearing the less “fashionable” clothing items that were all the rage only a few weeks earlier. It leads to a never-ending cycle with major environmental consequences.

All of these clothing items end up in landfills and are often fast fashion, so the materials are not biodegradable. As a result, these items will simply sit in those landfills for years to come. In millions, 92 out of 100 tons end up in landfills annually. This is an astonishing statistic and one that should not be taken lightly. Due to the mass production of these clothing items, the textile industry releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide to provide energy to produce these items. With this industry accounting for 10% of all global emissions, it is therefore a contributor to global warming and ultimately climate change.

Microtrends are also shown to be very damaging to the environment due to the brief nature of how long people wear these items. It has been found that in the last 15 years, clothes have been worn around 36% less. This further contributes to the mass disposal of clothes to landfills, as well as displaying just how short-lived these trends sometimes can be and the damage resulting from them.

In addition to this, materials in the clothes, especially microplastics, can end up in the ocean, resulting in negative effects on our ecosystems and organisms. These microplastics accumulate in oceans and can result in organisms swallowing them. This can have damaging effects on the health of organisms but also have a major effect on humans. If an organism near the beginning of the food chain swallows some microplastics, these microplastics can continue up the food chain and into the seafood that humans eat.

In addition to major environmental damages, these items are often being mass produced to meet high demand and are fast fashion companies, so therefore also have a significant impact on workers that are making these clothes. The majority of workers are often paid massively below the minimum wage—in some cases, as low as 2 to 6 cents per item—and are sometimes working in appalling conditions. Hence, another thing to consider when making that next purchase.

How should we approach microtrends in a more sustainable way?
There are numerous different ways to approach these microtrends in a way that does not cause as much harm to the environment.

For example, when you’re wanting to buy something, think, Do I actually like this item and does it fit with my style? If the answer is no, you’re most likely being influenced by the newest and “trendiest” new item. That’s not saying you can’t update your wardrobe, but it’s good to take a second and think, Do I actually need this? Will I actually wear this in the long term?

Furthermore, it always is good to be able to think of at least 3 different outfits you can create with that item of clothing. If it’s something that is a microtrend that you think won’t even last the next few months, unless you really like it, is it really worth spending money on something that you won’t even be able to wear or want to wear that often? Another way to do this is when you see an item you’re considering purchasing, bookmark it and see in 3 weeks if you still want to purchase it. If not, maybe it was never something you never wanted.

If you do really like a microtrend but don’t necessarily want to buy something brand new, you can always look in your closet and see if there’s a way you can use what you already have. Sometimes, all it takes is looking at items in a different way to repurpose them into something you’ll want to wear. Granted, it can be challenging to repurpose something in your closet if it’s a very niche item you’re looking for, but that’s where places like Vinted, Depop, thrift stores, and charity shops come in. All of these places have so many options where you can find affordable items and also allow you the chance to shop more sustainably!

Conclusion
Microtrends are rotating in and out faster than ever, and because of this, we need to be more aware of the adverse effects they result in. While it may seem exciting and fun to buy all the newest items, microtrends encourage overconsumption and result in high carbon emissions. Again, this is not to say that you should never participate in any microtrends, but a reminder to be more conscious when making decisions on your purchases.

We can all work together to recognize that our behavior needs to change and to shift to a more sustainable mindset. We therefore can pave the way for a more sustainable future and a better tomorrow.

So, the next time you’re thinking about making that purchase, think to yourself, do I actually need to buy this.


Works Cited
Igini, M. (2024, May 30). 10 concerning fast fashion waste Statistics. Earth.Org. https://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/ Accessed 31 August 2024.

Levitt, N. (2022, November 28). The impact of fast fashion on workers and the environment - Sizer. Sizer. https://sizer.me/blog/the-impact-of-fast-fashion-on-workers-and-the-environment/ Accessed 1 September 2024.

Zhou, M. (2022, August 5). What are micro trends? How styles change faster than ever before - good on you. Good on You. https://goodonyou.eco/micro-trends/ Accessed 1 September 2024.