The popular Chinese fast-fashion brand Shein made its return to Montreal as it opened a temporary pop-up store on Thursday. Despite the excitement of bargain-hungry shoppers crowding the storefront on Ste-Catherine Street, the event was met with a stark protest from environmental activists.
Members of Équiterre, an environmental advocacy group, made a statement by arriving at the scene with a garbage truck adorned with a banner that read “No to disposable fashion.” Their aim was to raise awareness about the harmful environmental impacts of the rapid turnover fast-fashion model.
Daniel Rotman, the executive director of Équiterre, emphasized to the media gathered outside the store that the allure of cheap prices should not overshadow the detrimental effects of such practices. He warned that the inexpensive, quickly produced garments not only contribute to environmental damage but also create a significant waste management issue for communities at large.
Addressing the pressing concern, Rotman highlighted the burden that overflowing landfills and associated health hazards place on society, emphasizing that the costs are borne by everyone, not just the fast-fashion companies like Shein.
Recent findings from the Montreal Auditor General revealed that nearly half of the city’s waste is still being sent to already full landfills, further exacerbating the environmental crisis. In Quebec, the amount of clothing discarded and ending up in landfills has more than doubled in the past decade, totaling 344,000 metric tons in 2023. Fast fashion is pinpointed by Recyc-Québec as the primary driver of this alarming trend.
Rotman urged the Canadian government to follow in the footsteps of France, which has taken steps to regulate fast-fashion retail by restricting advertising for brands like Shein and Temu. He stressed the need for Canada to enforce similar measures to combat the escalating environmental impact of the fashion industry.
The Shein pop-up store in Montreal will feature a variety of clothing, accessories, and home items and is scheduled to remain open until Sunday, August 30.
