Fast Fashion and Biodiversity Loss:
 A Growing Threat to Wildlife and Ecosystems

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Every May 22, as we celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity, it is essential to reflect on the profound and often overlooked effects of fast fashion on the natural world. Fast fashion, known for its cheap, mass-produced clothing, is a major driver of environmental degradation, particularly in terms of biodiversity loss. Through habitat destruction, pollution, and unsustainable resource exploitation, the fashion industry is accelerating the extinction of many species. This article explores how fast fashion contributes to the loss of biodiversity, backed by scientific studies, news reports, and current legislation.

The Major Ways Fast Fashion Endangers Vulnerable Species

Deforestation due to textile material extraction

One of the most devastating consequences of fast fashion is the destruction of forests to source materials like viscose, a fiber commonly found in affordable clothing. The production of viscose alone leads to the deforestation of 200 million trees every year, particularly in forests critical to endangered species [1]. In Indonesia, Canada, and the Amazon, this deforestation displaces species such as orangutans, jaguars, and endemic birds [2,3].

For example, in the Amazon, large areas of forest are cleared for eucalyptus plantations, which are used to make viscose. This results in the displacement of species like the giant anteater and jaguar, both of which rely on the Amazon’s rich ecosystems [2,4].

Deforestation of forests in the USA due to eucalyptus planting. Picture by: Marizilda Cruppe/Greenpeace

Cotton Farming and Pesticide Use

The cultivation of conventional cotton, a primary material for fast fashion, uses large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers that contaminate the soil and water, affecting local ecosystems [5]. Pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are vital for food production, suffer dramatically in cotton-growing areas. In regions such as India and the United States, pesticide use has led to a 40% decrease in pollinator populations [6,7].

Fields covered in pesticides in Indonesia. Picture by: B. Udaykiran

Microplastics in Oceans

The fashion industry contributes significantly to ocean pollution. A staggering 35% of marine microplastics come from synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon, which are commonly used in fast fashion [8,9]. These tiny fibers enter the food chain, affecting marine life, particularly turtles, whales, and seabirds. The ingestion of microplastics has been linked to digestive issues and even death in marine species [8].

In the Atacama Desert (Chile), the vast amounts of discarded fast fashion clothing release toxins that contaminate the soil and underground water [10], threatening endemic species like the guanaco.

Pacific water sample with visible microplastic residue. Picture by: Marg Johnson. 

Toxic Chemical Discharges

The textile dyeing process is another major source of environmental damage. Toxic chemicals such as lead and cadmium are used in dyes, and when discharged into rivers in countries like India, Bangladesh, and China, they poison fish and amphibians [11,12]. For instance, the Citarum River in Indonesia has lost 60% of its fish species due to the toxic runoff from textile factories [13,14], while in Bangladesh, amphibians near textile factories show genetic mutations caused by chemical exposure [15].

Wastewater from the textile industry dyed red in Colombia. Picture by: Unimedios.

Unsustainable Exploitation of Animal Resources: Leather, Wool & Water

The demand for cheap leather and wool for fast fashion contributes to deforestation and habitat destruction. In Brazil and Argentina, large-scale cattle ranching for leather leads to the destruction of forests such as the Amazon and Gran Chaco, home to endangered species like the jaguar and giant armadillo [16,17]. The expansion of grazing lands is a significant driver of biodiversity loss in these regions.

In Australia, the overgrazing caused by merino sheep farming for wool is damaging the land and threatening species such as the koala and kangaroo [18,19]. Overgrazing depletes the soil, reduces plant diversity, and forces these species to compete for diminishing resources.

On the other hand, the fashion industry is also a major water guzzler. To produce just one conventional cotton T-shirt, approximately 2,700 liters of water are needed [20]—the equivalent of one person’s water usage over 2.5 years. This unsustainable water consumption has led to the drying up of critical water sources, such as the Aral Sea, where 24 fish species have been driven to extinction [21].

The Science Behind the Crisis

Scientific studies have increasingly linked the fast fashion industry to the rapid degradation of ecosystems, with dire consequences for biodiversity. A 2021 study conducted by Fordham University examined the significant impact of fast fashion on critical ecosystem services, such as clean water and fertile soil, both of which are essential for the survival of countless species [11,22]. The report highlighted that the depletion of these services, driven by unsustainable production practices, poses a direct threat to ecosystems and the species that rely on them.

Similarly, the United Nations’ 2019 report on biodiversity painted a grim picture, warning that over one million species are now at risk of extinction, with the fashion industry playing a key role [23]. Practices such as monoculture cotton farming and the production of viscose from wood pulp are contributing to this crisis by destroying habitats and polluting the environment, further exacerbating the global biodiversity emergency.

Environmental organizations, including Greenpeace and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, have raised urgent concerns about the role of fast fashion in global pollution. These organizations estimate that the fashion industry is responsible for around 10% of global pollution [24], with microplastics being a major contributor. As synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon shed millions of microplastics into the oceans every year, marine life and coral reefs are increasingly suffering from the toxic effects of these pollutants [8]. Studies have found that microplastics are now present in the digestive systems of 90% of marine birds [25] and 52% of sea turtles [26], causing significant harm to their health and survival. Beyond marine ecosystems, these fibers also end up in rivers and soil, where they continue to disrupt the broader environment.

Further complicating the issue, a 2024 report by Surfrider Foundation revealed that viscose, a common fabric in fast fashion garments, is often produced using wood pulp sourced from primary forests [27]. This practice not only contributes to deforestation but also threatens the survival of species that rely on these forests for food, shelter, and breeding grounds. The report found that 60% of fast fashion garments contain viscose, underscoring the scale of the problem and the urgent need for more sustainable production practices in the fashion industry.

The scientific evidence and reports make it clear that the fashion industry’s current trajectory is incompatible with the preservation of biodiversity. Urgent action is required from both consumers and policymakers to shift the industry toward more sustainable practices that protect ecosystems, reduce pollution, and prioritize the survival of threatened species.

Fast Fashion and the Law: How Lack of Regulations is Contributing to Biodiversity Loss

While certain U.S. states, such as California and New York [28,29], have made strides in addressing environmental issues by passing laws to ban single-use plastics, there is a significant gap at the federal level when it comes to regulating the fashion industry’s impact on biodiversity [29,30,31,32], even more so with the new laws imposed by Trump [33]. This lack of cohesive federal legislation has allowed harmful practices—such as unsustainable resource extraction, deforestation, and chemical pollution—to continue unchecked, further accelerating the loss of biodiversity.

In the European Union, while the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 includes measures to limit materials linked to deforestation, its application to the fashion sector is still in the early stages [34]. Although the EU is taking important steps to address broader environmental concerns, such as climate change and habitat destruction, there is little direct regulation governing the biodiversity impacts of fast fashion. Despite these efforts to promote sustainability, fast fashion continues to exploit loopholes and evade more stringent regulatory measures that could mitigate its impact on biodiversity.

On a global scale, there is a notable absence of international agreements that hold fashion brands accountable for the damage they cause to biodiversity. There are no binding global treaties that require brands to compensate for habitat loss or take responsibility for the species affected by their supply chains. According to the United Nations, only 12% of fashion companies disclose their impact on biodiversity, and an alarmingly small fraction [35]—less than 1%—have set measurable, verifiable targets to reduce their ecological footprint. This regulatory vacuum means that companies can continue to operate without being held accountable for the long-term environmental damage they contribute to, making it incredibly difficult to achieve meaningful progress in halting biodiversity loss.

Orangutans in Borneo are in danger due to deforestation.

Final Thoughts: How Sustainable Fashion Can Protect Biodiversity

Fast fashion is accelerating biodiversity loss through its contributions to habitat destruction, pollution, and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. While some countries have begun to introduce regulations to mitigate these effects, the absence of comprehensive global laws allows harmful practices to continue. The time to act is now—without significant changes, the fashion industry will continue to drive species to extinction at an alarming rate, putting ecosystems and countless species at irreversible risk.

At AYA, we are committed to being part of the solution. As a sustainable fashion brand, we work exclusively with organic Pima cotton, and our sister brand, Arms of Andes, with alpaca wool, sourced directly from Peru. Our entire supply chain is free of synthetic dyes, harmful chemicals, and plastic, ensuring that every garment we produce has minimal environmental impact and is transparently traceable and sustainable.

Can we continue to justify our consumption habits while biodiversity collapses under the weight of our choices?

Authors & Researchers

Jordy Munarriz

Environmental Engineer with a master's degree in renewable energy and a specialization in sustainability. Researcher and writer, he combines his technical knowledge with his passion for environmental communication, addressing topics of ecological impact and sustainable solutions in the textile industry and beyond.