The Impact of Ultra-Fast Fashion on Finland’s Environmental Sustainability Goals : Temu and Shein in Finland: Environmental and Social Impacts
Eklöf, Elina (2026)
2026
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202603104071
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202603104071
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this thesis is to examine how the rise of ultra-fast fashion challenges Finland’s environmental sustainability goals. Ultra-fast fashion platforms such as Temu and Shein have rapidly increased low-cost online consumption, leading to higher volumes of imports, short product lifecycles, and growing environmental impacts. While the environmental effects of fast fashion have been widely studied, less attention has been given to the specific impacts of ultra-fast fashion on national sustainability targets in Finland.
The study applies a qualitative, literature-based research approach. The analysis is based on academic articles, institutional reports, and Finnish governmental and media sources. The material is examined thematically, focusing on how ultra-fast fashion affects waste generation, transport-related emissions, and Finland’s efforts to promote the circular economy and sustainable consumption.
The findings indicate that ultra-fast fashion reinforces high-volume consumption patterns that conflict with Finland’s environmental objectives. Although production takes place mainly outside Finland, the environmental consequences are experienced domestically through increased packaging waste, logistics emissions, and pressure on waste management systems. The thesis concludes that addressing these challenges requires stronger policy measures, increased consumer awareness, and further research on consumption-based environmental impacts.
The study applies a qualitative, literature-based research approach. The analysis is based on academic articles, institutional reports, and Finnish governmental and media sources. The material is examined thematically, focusing on how ultra-fast fashion affects waste generation, transport-related emissions, and Finland’s efforts to promote the circular economy and sustainable consumption.
The findings indicate that ultra-fast fashion reinforces high-volume consumption patterns that conflict with Finland’s environmental objectives. Although production takes place mainly outside Finland, the environmental consequences are experienced domestically through increased packaging waste, logistics emissions, and pressure on waste management systems. The thesis concludes that addressing these challenges requires stronger policy measures, increased consumer awareness, and further research on consumption-based environmental impacts.