“Please, we must not buy from Shein”

75% of humanity consists of good people. Most want to make the right decisions and contribute to building a happy and healthy community and planet but don't understand how to start or think it's too big of an issue, so why bother? Perfection isn't necessary; it's about most people making an effort, implementing small changes, and learning and growing along the way.

I recently met an incredibly friendly and kind woman; we got along well. She was super interesting and showed genuine interest in others, coming across as very thoughtful. Before she found out what I do for a living, she began sharing a story about a recent purchase from Shein. She talked about how she bought various clothes and items for her family and was thrilled with how much she got for such a great price.

As this lady shared her story, it was evident that she was pleased with the value of what she had purchased, especially since she had just become a new parent. However, there was an underlying feeling that something was amiss. Deep down, she sensed it wasn't right but couldn’t pinpoint why. Being busy, she didn’t have the time to seek out the information she needed, so she went with what was right in front of her and easy.

I tell you this story because this lady would have made very different decisions with more education and awareness. If she had known about all the chemicals used in these clothes, the treatment of the workers who produced her order, and the environmental damage caused by the company, she would have considered other options.

Chinese-based retail giant Shein is an online-only global fashion behemoth. Its environmental and human health impacts are grave.

It’s one of the largest and most popular companies in the world. Its $66 billion valuation represents over one-third of the U.S. fast-fashion market. It’s especially popular with Gen Z because it keeps up with trends—adding 10,000 new items to its inventory daily! 

It connects with youth through strategic influencer marketing campaigns and keeps prices low. Shein’s influence and power are immense — as are its environmental impacts and ethical concerns.

The issue is that we have all been conditioned to believe that textiles should be inexpensive, leading to a normalization of overconsumption. We celebrate a throwaway culture and the constant desire for more and newer items rather than emphasizing the importance of reusing and investing in quality products that are made to last.

Do we really need this? How many times will I wear it? Do I need to drive, or can I walk? Am I going out for tea today, so should I pack my cup? Can I buy that locally? Can I use those old T-shirts as rags? Can I take my child to the thrift store for toys instead of buying them on Amazon? And do I need to waste that food?

Shein emits about 6.3 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide yearly, equivalent to 180 coal-fired power plants. Most of Shein’s products are made of plastic, synthetic fibres, and toxic chemical dyes. Scientists found that a Shein jacket meant for toddlers contained almost 20 times the amount of lead Health Canada considers safe for children.

This company has also been scrutinized and mishandled for terrible working conditions, stealing independent artists’ designs (which resulted in a federal racketeering lawsuit), selling offensive items and mishandling customer data.

They’re not the only offenders. Hundreds of brands and companies contribute to the fast fashion problem. Six others with the worst environmental records are Zara, H&M, Forever 21, Uniqlo, Mango and ASOS.

On average, people wear their clothes about seven times before discarding them. Since 2000, we have purchased approximately 60% more clothing (and we were buying a lot back then). With the rise of fast fashion, we cannot ignore its negative impacts. It's essential to take a moment to ask yourself, "Was that $5 t-shirt really worth it?

I am not here to tell people what to do; instead, I want to encourage everyone to investigate and research the impacts of our decisions and choices. We can all learn and grow together while sharing simple ways to make a positive difference.

Let's work together to uncover facts, research, and share information to unite and support our community and the planet. Please send me links or posts about what’s happening worldwide, particularly regarding companies making an impact slowly. Also, please send me tips and tricks for how we can all do our part.

Thank you so much for reading. Let's spread the word that everyone deserves to be paid and stop normalizing cheap textiles, poor human treatment, and the abuse of this planet. 

Want to read about something a little lighter. It is so important to educate yourself on the dangers of fast fashion, but sometimes you need a break .. I get it. So why not read about what I did before Untamed and why I started the business. Learn More

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