Last February, I had the opportunity to help host a tote bag screen-printing event through the Plant Blue Ambassador Program, where I serve as a Communications and Outreach Intern at the University of Michigan. What began as a creative crafting session quickly became something much deeper. Surrounded by students printing their tote bags, laughing over paint mishaps, and carefully pressing ink into fabric, I was reminded that sustainability work does not always have to feel overwhelming. Sometimes it looks like art, conversation, and community gathered around a table.
What is Fast Fashion? Why Does It Matter?
Fast fashion refers to the rapid production of inexpensive clothing designed to mimic trends seen on runways and social media (EII). Brands release new collections at an accelerated pace, encouraging consumers to constantly purchase and discard clothing. While this model keeps prices low and styles current, it comes at a high environmental and social cost.
The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to global pollution. It drives excessive water usage, chemical runoff, textile waste, and carbon emissions. In fact, synthetic fabrics shed microplastics into waterways – tiny plastic particles that are consumed by fish and other wildlife, disrupt aquatic ecosystems, and can eventually enter the human food chain. A massive amount of clothing ends up in landfills each year, often worn only a handful of times (Bandera, 24). Beyond environmental harm, fast fashion is tied to exploitative labor practices, where garment workers around the world face unsafe conditions and extremely low wages.
When I explain fast fashion at events, I try to emphasize that the issue is systemic – not about individual blame. It is about recognizing how convenience and trend cycles have reshaped our relationship with clothing. Once we understand that, we can begin to shift toward more intentional choices.
Symbolization of the Tote Bag
At our event, students screen-printed custom designs onto reusable tote bags. The designs were colorful and fun but carried meaning. A tote bag might seem simple, but it represents reusability, creativity, and personal expression. It replaces single-use plastic bags. It becomes something you keep forever.
Working alongside the Planet Blue Student Leaders, a cohort of interns advancing sustainability on campus, made the experience even more meaningful. Many of my peers share a deep passion for environmental justice, and being in a room with students who genuinely care about sustainability was energizing. We weren’t just hosting an event – we were building a small moment of collective awareness.
My Connection to Fast Fashion
Fast fashion matters to me because sustainability has always been rooted in community for me. It is not only about carbon footprints or waste statistics; it is about the kind of culture we want to create. I believe in systems that prioritize people and the planet over speed and profit. When I talk to students about fast fashion, I am really talking about agency – the idea that small shifts in behavior can ripple outward.
Seeing students pause mid-print to ask questions about thrifting or the ethics of fast fashion reminded me why these conversations matter. Change does not happen all at once. It happens when someone rethinks their next purchase. It happens when someone decides to mend instead of discard. It happens when we normalize sustainability in everyday spaces!
The tote bag event reinforced that education does not have to feel like a lecture. It can be an interaction. It can be creative. It can be joyful.
Moving Beyond Fast Fashion: Resources and Alternatives
While fast fashion is deeply embedded in our current system, shifting toward more sustainable habits can start in small, approachable ways. At many of our events, students naturally gravitate toward conversations about thrifting – not just as a budget-friendly option, but as a way to extend the life of clothing and reduce demand for new production. Whether it’s browsing local thrift stores, exploring vintage shops, or using online resale platforms, these choices turn shopping into something more intentional. Clothing swaps, whether among friends or through campus organizations, create similar opportunities – transforming consumption into something communal rather than disposable.
I’ve also noticed how conversations often shift once people realize how simple it can be to care for what they already own. Learning how to mend a torn seam or sew on a button can completely change how we value our clothes. Instead of being temporary, they become worth maintaining. And for those moments when buying something new feels necessary, choosing brands that prioritize ethical labor and environmentally responsible materials offers another way to align purchases with values.
On campus, these ideas come to life through student-led initiatives – clothing drives, upcycling workshops, and sustainability events that make these practices feel accessible rather than overwhelming. Many of the resources and alternatives we share at these events are compiled in the presentation I used during the tote bag workshop, which students can revisit as a starting point for exploring more sustainable choices. What stands out most is that change doesn’t come from one major decision, but from a series of smaller ones: choosing quality over quantity, pausing before a purchase, or asking how often something will actually be worn.
Moving beyond fast fashion isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about building awareness, acting with intention, and recognizing that even small shifts – especially when shared in community – can add up to something larger!
Mischa serves as a Communications and Outreach Intern for the Planet Blue Ambassador Program at UM-Ann Arbor.