COPYCAT CULTURE: The Environmental and Ethical Costs of Dupes

By: Meagan Florian

The prevalence of consumer culture in our society has hit an all-time high due to the popularity of social media and fast fashion. However, this trend has become socially and environmentally unsustainable. Companies have realized that consumers are more likely to purchase items if provided at a low cost and are capitalizing on it, resulting in the phenomenon of “dupe culture” taking center stage. Influenced heavily by social media (Pravin et al., 2023), consumers are often drawn to imitation products—cheaper alternatives that mimic high-end items faster and often fall victim to dupes to keep up with the ever-changing trends and pressure of social media. Dupe culture represents the pinnacle of living in a society characterized by excessive indulgence, often with little consideration for whether the consumer actually likes the product or if it's simply a passing trend. Many consumers don’t fully realize what clothes should cost, leading them to overlook the value of quality and craftsmanship in favor of these look-alike alternatives. While these dupes may offer a quick financial fix, they come with significant environmental and ethical concerns that we need to consider.

Environmental Impact

One of the most pressing issues associated with dupe culture is its environmental footprint. Fast fashion, a major player in copycat culture, is notorious for its negative impact. Clothes are produced at alarming rates, leading to massive waste generation and water pollution. According to the United Nations, the fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions (United Nations). The rapid turnover of these products often results in them being discarded after only a few wears or even months, contributing to overflowing landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, landfills received 9,070,000 tons of clothing waste in 2018, a significant increase from the 1,310,000 tons received in 1960 (EPA 2018). The increasing amount of textile waste generated by various industries and households is a growing concern worldwide. It is estimated that about 92 million tons of textile waste are produced globally each year (Chen et al. 2021), resulting in landfills, incineration, or other unsuitable locations, such as Ghana and the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile.

Additionally, many dupes are made from low-quality materials that are not biodegradable. This means they remain in landfills for decades, releasing toxic chemicals into the soil and water. Each purchase encourages more production of these items, perpetuating a cycle that is harmful to our planet.

Ethical Concerns

The textile industry not only causes harm to the environment, but it also fails to provide ethical working conditions and livelihoods. Beyond environmental degradation, dupes raise significant ethical questions. Many dupes are produced in countries with lax labor laws, where workers are often subjected to poor working conditions and meager pay. In the rush to deliver affordable products, the high cost of labor rights and fair wages is overlooked.

To maintain low prices, workers in marginalized communities earn minimal wages and often face poor working conditions. In Bangladesh, over 5,000 textile factories employ about 4 million workers, with one in five being under nine years old, constituting child labor. This makes fast fashion one of the most exploitative industries worldwide. Workers earn an average monthly wage of just $68, allowing companies to sell clothing for up to ten times the cost. It's essential to improve these workplaces with fair wages and implement laws to support these communities. (Kates 2019)

Furthermore, the rise of dupe culture diminishes the value of original creators. Artists, designers, and brands invest time and resources into developing unique products. When these creations are replicated without credit, it not only stifles innovation but also undermines the labor and creativity that went into crafting them. This can lead to a culture where originality is devalued, and consumers become less discerning about what they purchase. By choosing dupes, consumers may unwittingly support businesses that exploit workers, prioritizing profit over people. 

Absence of Transparency

When examining dupes, the details reveal the reasons behind their lower price. Take, for instance, Amazon's imitation ($14) of Oddli's boxers ($52). Oddli, as a transparent company, clearly states that their boxers are crafted from “a mix of deadstock fabrics and 100 percent OEKO Tex and BCI certified cotton fabrics.” In contrast, Amazon describes their boxers as being made of “95% polyester 5% cotton.”  

This disparity extends to the location of production as well. Oddli mentions in their FAQs that "All of our clothes are designed and made in downtown Los Angeles, near our studio at a manufacturer we can visit regularly." In contrast, Amazon simply states that the items are "imported," lacking the same level of transparency.

The same goes for the Shein boxer dupe ($15 for 4), which is made of “95% polyester 5% elastane,” with the location of production remaining unknown. These differences highlight the ethical and environmental implications behind choosing dupes over original products. Considering the materials and production practices can lead to more informed and responsible purchasing decisions.

If the product truly resonates with your style, for example, these boxers are designed to endure for years to come, offering both comfort and durability. This is in contrast to many fleeting fashion trends that often end up discarded in landfills after just a short period, like the Amazon or Shein dupes that are poor quality. By investing in quality pieces like these, you not only elevate your wardrobe but also make a more sustainable choice that helps reduce waste in the long run.

Why is polyester bad?

Polyester (Polyethylene terephthalate), an inexpensive synthetic material derived from petroleum (CFDA), is widely used in the fashion industry and has surpassed cotton as the most common fiber, making up 52% of fibers produced globally in 2020 but it raises significant environmental concerns, including

• Fossil Fuel Dependency: Polyester is made from crude oil, making it dependent on non-renewable resources and contributing to their exhaustion. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is shaped into filaments, which are then woven into fabric. (Wicker)

• Highly Polluting: The production process is energy-intensive, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate climate change. In 2015, polyester produced for clothing emitted 282 billion kg of CO2 – nearly three times more than for cotton (Common Objective). Polyester also pollutes our waterways, washing polyester releases microfibers into waterways, harming marine life and potentially entering the food chain.

• Non-Biodegradable Waste: Polyester can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills, contributing to a growing waste crisis.

While polyester is cost-effective, its environmental and social impacts are concerning. Choosing sustainable alternatives can help promote a more responsible fashion industry.

Finding Balance

So, what can we do? Moving away from dupes doesn’t mean giving up on affordability. Here are some alternatives:

• Invest in Quality: Look for pieces that may be more expensive upfront but will last longer. This reduces waste over time. By supporting sustainable brands, you support brands that focus on ethical manufacturing and environmentally friendly practices.

• Second-Hand Shopping: Thrift stores and online resale platforms are abundant with clothing options, providing unique selections without adding to new production concerns.

• Add the product to a wishlist: By placing the original item on a wishlist (ex. Oddli boxers, Frye boots, etc), you allow yourself to reflect on whether it truly aligns with your personal style or if it might end up being donated within a year. Keeping it on the list allows you time to save for a quality investment, refrains you from buying the poor-quality dupe, and confirms that you genuinely want the product.

• Educate Yourself and Others: Understanding the implications of our purchases can empower us to make informed choices.

At first glance, dupe culture might appear harmless, but its environmental and ethical impacts are significant. By being conscious consumers, we can foster a more sustainable and fair marketplace that values creativity and safeguards our planet. Let’s commit to supporting ethical practices and make more deliberate choices about our purchases.

Sources

CFDA. “Polyester.” CFDA, cfda.com/resources/materials/detail/polyester.

Chen X, Memon HA, Wang Y, Marriam I, Tebyetekerwa M. 2021. Circular economy and sustainability of the clothing and textile industry. Materials Circular Economy. 3(1): 1-9.

Common Objective. “Fibre Briefing: Polyester.” Common Objective, Common Objective, 22 Oct. 2021, www.commonobjective.co/article/fibre-briefing-polyester.

EPA. 2018. Textiles: Material-Specific Data. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/textiles-material-specific-data.

“FAQ.” ODDLI INC., 2024, oddli.com/pages/faq. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.

Kates M. 2019. Sweatshops, exploitation, and the case for a fair wage. Journal of Political Philosophy. 27(1):26–47.

Pravin, G., Mahendra More, and Gurpreet Kaur. "ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTION OF GEN Z CONSUMERS TOWARD DUPE SHOPPING Prof. Shatabdi C. Nannaware." International Journal of Engineering, Science 3.8 (2023).

United Nations. “ActNow for Zero-Waste Fashion.” United Nations Sustainable Development, 15 Aug. 2019, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/08/actnow-for-zero-waste-fashion/.

Wicker, Alden. “Why, Exactly, Is Polyester so Bad for the Environment? - Ecocult.” Ecocult, 19 Jan. 2021, ecocult.com/exactly-polyester-bad-environment/.