The fast fashion industry has faced growing criticism for years—and for good reason. The scale of its waste problem is staggering. Clothing production doubled between 2000 and 2015, yet 92 million tonnes of textile waste are discarded globally each year. That’s a garbage truck full of clothing dumped or burned every single second.

Meanwhile, the industry’s demand for cheap materials continues to drain natural resources, pollute waterways, and exploit labor. Cotton farming devours water, dyeing processes release toxic chemicals, and garment workers endure poor wages and unsafe conditions—all so consumers can buy t-shirt that's cheaper than a cup of coffee.

And despite all the backlash, fast fashion isn’t slowing down. The market is projected to grow from $141 billion in 2024 to over $163 billion in 2025, and could reach $309 billion by 2033, if current trends continue.

The traditional fashion calendar is long gone. Today’s fast fashion giants drop up to 50 new collections a year, responding to constant trend cycles and unpredictable demand. To stay competitive, brands often overproduce inventory, hoping to meet potential spikes in sales. But more often than not, this leads to massive surplus stock.

At the same time, consumers are buying 60% more clothing than they did 15 years ago, yet keeping each item for only half as long (UNEP). It’s a cycle of excess—driven by low prices and fleeting trends—leaving behind unsold inventory, overflowing landfills, and rising emissions.

One of the fashion industry’s biggest hurdles is recycling. Most modern clothing is made from blended fabrics, like polyester-cotton mixes, which are notoriously difficult to break down or reuse. But new AI-driven sorting systems are starting to solve this.

Using infrared scanning and machine learning, these technologies can instantly identify fabric compositions—sorting cotton, polyester, and wool correctly for recycling. Companies like Resortecs and Worn Again Technologies are even using heat-dissolvable stitching, making garments easier to disassemble.

These innovations could make large-scale textile recycling a reality, keeping millions of tonnes of clothing out of landfills.

AI is also reshaping how we shop—and how brands produce. Platforms like ThredUp and The RealReal use AI-powered engines to match shoppers with the perfect second-hand items, making resale shopping feel just as seamless as fast fashion.

At the production level, AI is helping brands like H&M and Unspun predict demand with incredible accuracy. This means fewer unsold garments, less markdown waste, and better inventory control. On-demand manufacturing and smart pattern cutting powered by AI are also helping reduce material waste before the garments even hit the shelves.