In the Atacama Desert of Chile, where some of the driest land on Earth is found, Atacama Desert clothes dump, the sight of a cluster of abandoned fashion garments lying on the desert sand is a cause for concern regarding the growing environmental issue of fast fashion.
How Did the Apparel Get There?
Mountains of secondhand and surplus clothing from Europe, the U.S. and Asia pile up in the free trade zone of Iquique, with reports estimating the quantity of people throwing out clothes reaching around 59,000 tonnes in a year. Of them, at least 39,000 tonnes end up in the desert each year, according to different sources.
Why It Is Important – Atacama Desert clothes dump
Not biodegradable: The clothes contain chemical compounds that cannot be allowed in municipal landfills.
Fire risks and health issues: The people of the region report the numerous toxic garbage dumps are set on fire and considered significant concerning public health.
Global problem: Around 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced worldwide every year.
Signs of Hope
So far, Chile has been evolving as it attempts to implement various laws regarding textile waste and has brought to life companies like EcoFibra that produce heat insulators from discarded clothes.
What You Can Do
Buy less, repair what you have, resell or donate locally, and choose durable items over trends. Millions of people making small decisions add up.
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