in the vast Atacama Desert, located in Chilean territory, a worrying scenario is unfolding before our eyes. An alarming amount of clothes used is accumulating in remarkable proportions, being visible even from space, according to information provided by satellite monitoring company SkyFi.
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Disclosure/SkyFi
This chaotic warehouse is the direct result of practices adopted by fast fashion brands, which not only stimulate a excessive consumption, but also discard tons of clothes annually, without considering the disastrous consequences for the environment environment.
Dangers of unbridled consumption and passing trends
The amazing view of the mountain of clothes and the pollution The result is an urgent call for radical change in the fashion industry. After all, it's imperative that we understand that fashion choices have a profound and lasting impact on our planet.
While exploring this particular location in the Atacama Desert, we witnessed the accumulation of over 60,000 tons of discarded clothing. Annually, no less than 59 thousand tons of clothing are sent from Europe, Asia and North America to Northern Chile.
Although a portion of these pieces are redeemed by second-hand stores, the remaining majority attract migrants and women from poor communities, who are looking for clothes for personal use or resale. It is a worrying cycle, in which the eagerness for fast consumption drives an unsustainable industry.
Challenges in proper disposal and environmental impact
Finding a suitable solution for the fate of these garments is quite a challenge. After all, they cannot simply be sent to landfills due to their lack of biodegradability and the presence of toxic chemicals.
Furthermore, the compounds present in discarded clothing not only pollute the air, but also contaminate local waterways. Unfortunately, the lack of regulations and free zone status have made the region near Iquique, Chile, an attractive spot for this worrying practice.
Awareness and necessary changes
Even though the area of this “graveyard” of clothes can already be visualized through Google Earth, it is time to we seek sustainable solutions to promote real changes in this sector, from production to consumption conscious.
The clothing “graveyard” in the Atacama Desert is a wake-up call that resonates not just for consumers, but for the industry as well.