The dark sides of consumerism
The fast fashion industry is contributing significantly to the climate crisis and leaving a trail of ecological and social damage behind it – this should no longer be news. But what does this mean in numbers? Every year, around 100 billion items of clothing are produced, most of them at extremely low prices. Black Friday only exacerbates this problem by triggering a veritable buying frenzy. Unfortunately, mass production and a throwaway mentality have become the norm in recent years: In keeping with the motto "Buy, Wear, Dispose", enormous quantities of clothing are bought, especially on Black Friday. However, these items are then usually only worn a few times – if at all. After that, they often end up in the back of the closet for a long time or, in the worst case, in the trash after a very short time, either because they are no longer trendy or the quality is so poor that they break after just a few wears.
Every year, millions of short-wear or unworn clothes end up in piles of rubbish.
Black Friday and the environmental costs of the fashion industry
What many people don't realize is that producing a T-shirt requires thousands of liters of water, depending on the material and process, and the resulting CO₂ emissions significantly harm the environment. At the same time, the constant pressure to produce clothing ever more cheaply leads to problematic working conditions in the production countries. Especially on Black Friday, sales figures rise exponentially – and with them, resource consumption. This creates a consumption cycle that is neither sustainable nor far-sighted.
Circular economy instead of throwaway society
But there is hope, as more and more companies and consumers are realizing that the "cheap is cool" philosophy is reaching its limits. The trend is toward recycling, secondhand, and the circular economy, which makes products reusable, not just once. NIKIN has also taken another step toward a circular future with its "Circular Cashback" program : Worn, circular products can be returned and then recycled into new products without any loss of quality. This way, clothing stays in circulation longer and doesn't end up in the gigantic landfills that otherwise feed the fashion industry.
Conscious consumption instead of shopping sprees
Black Friday shows how easily we can get caught up in the shopping frenzy and lose sight of the environment. Many of the offers are also deceptive: The prices are often not cheaper at all, and the goods on offer are often not clearance items, but produced specifically for this special day. Instead of being swayed by short-term bargains, we should think long-term – not only for the sake of our wallets, but above all for the sake of nature.
