The rapid growth of fast fashion in the Philippines is driving an alarming rise in textile waste and microplastic pollution, contaminating waterways, and harming marine life – a silent environmental crisis hidden behind cheap clothes.
Fast fashion refers to the mass production of inexpensive yet trendy clothing that is rapidly produced and brought to stores to keep up with the latest trends. These collections are often inspired by styles seen on Fashion Week runways or worn by celebrities, enabling shoppers to get fashionable looks at budget-friendly prices.
According to Brittanica, the fast fashion model emerged in the 1970s when retailers began exporting production to countries, particularly in Asia, where they could pay workers lower wages than in Western countries. It took hold in the 1990s as companies accelerated output to keep up with trends.
During the 2025 National Textile Convention, Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) Director Dr. Julius L. Leano Jr said that producing one kilogram of cotton emits more than seven kilograms of carbon dioxide – about the same amount a car emits when driven for 11.3 kilometers.
According to the European Parliament in 2020, global textile production is responsible for about 20% of freshwater pollution and emits 1.7 billion tons of greenhouse gases every year, representing 10% of the global emissions.
Researchers from the Cebu City-based Velez College also found in 2020 that 97% of the fish examined for the study contained microfibers and microplastics in their digestive tract.
Since microfibers and microplastics are tiny plastic particles that come from synthetic fabrics, household items, and other plastic materials, they can enter the ocean. These particles can then be mistaken for food by marine animals.
Despite the growing threat of fast fashion, several local brands are finding ways to fight back by supporting upcycling and promoting sustainable fashion.
Fashion designer Hazel M. Roldan, founder of And Again Clothing, has turned discarded flour sacks into fashionable pieces.m
“Initially, we give life again to textiles meant for landfill, but also encourage slow fashion where you wear your piece again and again, against fast fashion’s disposable single use culture,” Roldan said.
To her, fast fashion means “excessive, exploitation, unnecessary, and clutter” driven by overconsumption and lack of government taxations on the environmental impact of fashion production.
In an effort to tackle textile pollution head-on, the Department of Science and Technology’s PTRI and Bayo Manila Inc launched the TexRev Project, which transforms post-industrial fabric scraps into eco-friendly yarns.
By reusing waste, supporting local weavers, and promoting durable clothing, they reduce environmental harm, preserve cultural traditions, and prove that fashion can be sustainable and community-focused.
Every thread matters. Fixing clothes or recycling helps, but the real impact comes when we do it together.
While fast fashion offers cheap, trendy clothes, it leaves behind a costly trail of pollution.
Without proper intervention, the Philippines may end up drowning in textile waste, harming both the environment and future generations.
Abiñon, B. S. F., Camporedondo, B. S., Mercadal, E. M. B., Olegario, K. M. R., Palapar, E. M. H., Ypil, C. W. R., Tambuli, A. E., Lomboy, C. A. L. M., & Garces, J. J. C. (2020). Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Commercially sold fishes from Cebu Island, Philippines. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 8(6), 424–433. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijab.v8i6.874
DOST-PTRI. (2025, January). 2025 National Textile Convention [Video]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16msj6Va4y/
European Parliament (Dec. 2020), The impact of textile production and waste on the environment (infographics) — News — European Parliament. en. url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20201208STO93327/the-impact-of-textile-production-and-waste-on-the-environment-infographics.
Kelleher, D. (2025, July 11). fast fashion. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/fast-fashion
Philippine Textile Research Institute https://www.ptri.dost.gov.ph
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