Fast Fashion In Malaysia — A Hidden Crisis Youth Must No Longer Ignore
Malaysia generates over two million kilogrammes of textile waste every single day.
Cover image via The trend and bargain haul culture, as well as viral outfit challenges, have affected and influenced how youth purchase products and clothes in Malaysia
In a world where we are increasingly digital-first, knowing that we can find TikTok hauls or RM10 outfits is just a click away, it's easy to forget that everything that we buy has a cost — not only a monetary cost on our finances, but some serious environmental costs as well.
What we perceive to be an innocent moment of self-indulgence in fast fashion has now blossomed into an environmental and social disaster in Malaysia, based on a cycle of overconsumption, overproduction, and exploitation.
Fast fashion is more easily accessible than ever
A study by Ali et al. (2020) revealed that Malaysia generates over two million kilogrammes of textile waste every single day, much of it composed of unworn or discarded clothes.
Although some global fashion brands such as H&M and local initiatives like Kloth Malaysia have introduced recycling and sustainability efforts, these are still limited in reach and remain far from being the industry norm.
The fashion industry globally accounts for around 10% of carbon emissions, and with the rise of ultra-fast fashion, such as Shein and TikTok Shop vendors, this percentage continues to climb.
In Malaysia, this problem is compounded by weak regulatory enforcement and a lack of environmental accountability, as shown by comparative research from Jimmy et al. (2025).
For many Malaysian youths, it's not uncommon to find themselves endlessly scrolling through cheap and trendy clothing on online marketplaces every day.
But the worst part is they often don't realise that this habit directly contradicts what we are supposed to be advocating for as defined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the values around responsible consumption and climate action.
The rapid cycle of clothing trends has encouraged a throwaway culture that contributes to textile waste and diminishes any chance of sustainability.
Beyond corporate practices, the problem lies in our own habits and choices as consumers
It is a contradiction we must confront. Malaysian youth are one of the most socially conscious and digitally engaged demographics, yet we typically support an industry that goes against the vision for the future we are fighting for.
If we care about fair labour conditions, environmental protection, or sustainable development, the choices we make as consumers need to align with the same ideals.
It is one thing to write about climate justice or ethical fashion on social media, but it counts for nothing if our shopping habits continue to sustain the industries harming people and the planet.
Loi et al. (2016) pointed out that although young people are aware of the positive effects of recycling, many continue to dispose of clothing irresponsibly due to the absence of proper systems and accessible information.
This highlights a major gap between awareness and action. Additionally, Wang and Zakaria (2024) noted that sizing issues are a significant contributor to fashion waste. When clothes don't fit well, they are often returned, neglected, or thrown away, adding to the growing pile of textile waste.
At the same time, we must also critically ask why there has not been more government action
Why is there still no national policy on textile waste? Why do we not in turn subsidise local sustainable brands? Why is sustainability education not even a part of the public curriculum?
These are not rhetorical questions. They are gaps that reveal deeper problems in public policy, political will, and general public opinion.
For young Malaysians to make a difference, they need to lead the way into the future
Young people could lead the future with something as simple as buying less and buying better by shopping at thrift stores, practising slow fashion, and truly thinking about whether we want or need to buy something before just clicking "add to cart".
But we also need to collectively advocate for structural change and advocate for policies that improve waste management, recycling capabilities, and sustainability education at all levels.
Whenever we hear about sustainability, we often talk about what governments do. But sustainability is also about what we choose to wear and what things we choose to stand for.
This story is part of the YouthSAYS initiative and is the personal opinion of the writer.
About the contributor:
Nuzul Fayyadhah Sakina is a second-year Political Science student at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), with a strong passion for public policy, youth empowerment, and community-based initiatives.
Nuzul aspires to become a policy analyst, focusing on solutions that are grounded in both evidence and empathy. She believes in the power of youth engagement and hopes to contribute meaningfully to inclusive, people-centred policy-making in the future.
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