A committee of MPs is set to look at the effect of fast fashion on the environment through a parliamentary inquiry.

Led by the Environmental Audit Committee, the investigation will focus on the social and environmental impact of the fashion retail and clothing industry.

The inquiry is set to examine the carbon, resource use and water footprint of clothing throughout its life cycle.

It will also explore ideas on how clothes can be recycled, and waste and pollution reduced.

“Fashion shouldn’t cost the earth. But the way we design, make and discard clothes has a huge environmental impact,” committee chair Mary Creagh MP said.

“Producing clothes requires toxic chemicals and produces climate-changing emissions. Every time we put on a wash, thousands of plastic fibres wash down the drain and into the oceans. We don’t know where or how to recycle end of life clothing.

“Our inquiry will look at how the fashion industry can remodel itself to be both thriving and sustainable.”

The committee said the deadline for written submissions for the inquiry is September 3.

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