Is Shein good or bad for the environment?

Is Shein good or bad for the environment? To tell the truth, many controversies revolve around this online clothing and accessories store. Starting with the issue of plagiarism. Although also, there has been a lot of recent talk about the damage this online store could be causing to the environment.

 

It´s important to note that this store, born in 2008, promotes itself as an international digital platform leading fast fashion. Therefore, it offers different styles that are in trend for men and women of all ages.

 

But is everything really as perfect as it seems? Let’s see in this post what is the reality of Shein and the environment.

 

How good or bad can Shein be for the environment?

 

Fashion experts have been doing different studies around Shein and the environment. They have discovered that this online store has been receiving meager ratings. And not only for the quality of its clothing and accessories but also for its treatment of the environment.

 

So, to answer this question correctly, we must mention that the materials Shein uses are unsuitable for the environment. Why? Because they make use of many chemicals that generate carbon emissions. Therefore, Shein pollution contributes to climate change or global warming.

 

Let’s look at some factors that make it clear how Shein is bad for the environment:

 

They use chemicals

Chemicals are dangerous for microplastics.

 

And once they are released into the environment, the microfibers attract organic contaminants and other fire-retardant chemicals found in waste systems.

 

These chemicals can then be ingested by marine animals mistaking them for food.

 

And worse yet, humans can then consume these marine animals.

 

They are not flexible with their workers

 

Just as Shein cares for the environment, it is aware of its workers.

 

News has made it known that they did not consider the corresponding protection and hygiene measures during the pandemic.

 

 

 

 

They may not minimize animal suffering

 

Although animals should only be part of nature, they have been part of the fashion industry.

 

However, this online store likely does not use leather or the skin of exotic animals.

 

But if they use wool without explaining where they get it from.

 

Indeed, there is a possibility that they do not have a policy that minimizes animal suffering. Thus, it is likely that they will not be able to trace an animal product until it goes through its first stage of production.

 

Its production is characterized by being cheap clothes

 

Shein produces cheap clothes in quantity. And even many users have thought they are poorly made garments upon receiving their purchase.

 

Therefore, Shein harms the environment by offering poor-quality products.

 

Because it is unknown whether they break any laws or how concerned they are about the environment.

 

 

 

Why is Shein considered bad for the environment?

The institutions and organizations in charge of caring for the environment have obtained several reasons to determine that Shein pollutes the environment. And we will mention them below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For their production, they use harmful chemicals

 

To abide by their fast fashion, Shein is bad because they rely on using harmful chemicals.

 

This set of chemical compounds poisons the soil and water.

 

Consequently, serious harm can occur to marine and human life.

 

It is also worth noting that farmers use pesticides (chemicals) when growing the materials needed to produce fast fashion items.

 

Has few recycling programs

 

Until now, the company has not failed to clarify that they recycle their products. Although apparently, their recycling program is not what they say. And they are not honest with their production process or the number of products they recycle.

 

Most of their products are made of plastic.

 

Plastics are the worst poison for the environment because they do not biodegrade. For this reason, many Shein products will not biodegrade when used and thrown away. As would be the case with cotton or wool clothing. Therefore, these products harm the environment by releasing carbon dioxide.

 

Their products are being considered poor quality

 

Shein’s clothing is cheap, so it is assumed to be of poor quality if we compare it with a designer brand.

 

In fact, the buyers’ opinions ensure that these clothes break quickly.

 

And helping them continue their operations only causes more damage to the environment.

 

 

 

 

Is Shein a sustainable brand?

 

Environmental experts say that this company is not sustainable. This is because they carry out many dangerous practices for humans and the environment.

 

It should also be added that this brand uses animal products. However, they state that they do not use leather or fur in their production.

 

Therefore, fast fashion is not classified as good at all. This is because it is not cruelty-free, and so far, there is no concrete evidence that they have taken significant steps to change their production method and be more empathetic to the environment.