AI Has Aided Shein Pollution

As Shein rises to nearly romantic levels of devotion among the fast fashion crowd, concerned ethical parties are calling out the rapidly increasing Shein pollution statistics.

Founded in Nanjing, China, in 2008 by entrepreneur Chris Xu, Shein is best known for selling on-trend clothing at a reasonable price range. The company is currently headquartered in Singapore for regulatory, international expansion, and financial reasons. Shein is among the most downloaded shopping apps in the United States. In August 2024, the fashion app registered roughly 2.1 million downloads from iPhones and iPads, while Android devices accounted for about 1.2 million downloads that month. 

However, several reports over the last few years also claim Shein to be the biggest fashion polluter, especially due to its rapid adoption of AI. How did Shein get here? And who is responsible when technological advancement contributes to ethical issues?

Shein’s environmental damage rises as they turn to AI

Shein has embraced emerging AI technologies, including machine learning algorithms, to manage data, predict customer preferences, and optimize its supply chain. The company’s proprietary AI software platform provides real-time updates on customer preferences. Based on this information, suppliers then quickly adjust their production to match the demand, and inventory.

In short, AI lets Shein predict exactly what’s trending and produce just enough of it to avoid stockpiling unsold/outdated items. And there’s no shortage of options here. The company boasts a whopping 600,000 items on its site at any given time, adding 10,000 new pieces daily, with prices averaging around $10.

That sounds great, right? But here’s the catch: that speed and efficiency comes with a massive environmental and human cost. Climate advocates and researchers say the company’s lightning-fast manufacturing practices and online-only business model are inherently emissions-heavy — and that the use of AI software to catalyze these operations could be cranking up its emissions. Those concerns were amplified by Shein’s 3^rd annual sustainability report, which showed the company nearly doubled its carbon dioxide emissions between 2022 and 2023.

Likewise, recent audits found that factory workers frequently face intense pressure to keep up with the demand for fast fashion, and the situation is only getting worse due to increased AI-driven demand for cheap, fast fashion microtrends. 

Who’s to blame when ethics are sidelined for progress?

Not exactly. AI itself isn’t inherently bad. The real issue is how companies like Shein are using it. Their model is based on ‘quick turnaround and mass production’—and AI just makes that process even faster, with little regard for the environmental or human costs.

Other fashion brands are using artificial intelligence too. However, their approach differs. Most ship products in bulk, rely on ocean freight—much more sustainable than air freight—and operate warehouses in multiple countries, cutting down on transportation emissions.  On the other hand, Shein pollution also stems from shipping individual packages from China to 150 countries. This ‘on-demand’ model might reduce excess stock, however, it’s far from sustainable. As per reports, about 38 percent of Shein’s climate footprint comes just from transportation—mainly air freight.  In July 2024 alone, the brand provided carriers with about 900,000 packages daily in the U.S., according to ShipMatrix data shared with Supply Chain Dive.

“Shein’s emissions are especially high because of its reliance on air shipping”, said Sheng Lu, a professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware.

“AI has wide applications in the fashion industry. It’s not necessarily that AI is bad,” Lu said. “The problem is the essence of Shein’s particular business model.”

Shein pollution stems from their material of choice: polyester

Adding to the problem is Shein’s material of choice: polyester. A staggering 76% of Shein’s fabrics are made of this synthetic textile, which is notorious for shedding microplastics into the environment. Even worse, only 6% of that polyester is recycled​. This means millions of Shein garments contribute to both landfill overflow and microplastic pollution in oceans.

Environmentalists argue that the sheer volume of items, paired with ultra-fast production and low-quality materials, makes the model unsustainable at its core.

Shein is among the brands under increasing pressure to become more sustainable. The company has pledged to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions no later than 2050. It says it’s working on a ‘decarbonization roadmap’ to address its supply chain emissions and that it’s started to use more cargo ships, which are better for the planet. Moreover, the company says it will work with its suppliers to transition to renewable energy sources and implement carbon reduction plans. 

CTOs need to build a substantial, ethically responsible future

As such, tech leaders need to play their part in building a substantial future. Leaders need to ensure that sustainable practices are scaled across the entire company. This means embedding sustainability into the organization’s DNA, which in turn links closely to both its profitability and ESG performance.

Transitioning to a more sustainable future is going to be challenging — both for tech leaders and for the world at large — and there’s no single playbook for making it happen.  While the scale of change required is daunting, it is certainly doesn’t seem impossible.

For IT leaders, adopting sustainable technology practices is a powerful way to signal their company’s dedication to reducing its environmental impact. Leaders that prioritize sustainability can set themselves apart from competitors and appeal to customers, partners, and investors who value sustainable practices.

This improved reputation has the potential to strengthen business identity, enhance employee satisfaction and boost customer loyalty. As a result, this can lead to increased sales, improved talent retention, and more favorable financing conditions.

Moreover, leaders who proactively embrace sustainable practices are often perceived as front-runners in their field, setting trends and shaping market standards. This kind of leadership can yield positive status, enhanced trust, and an overall stronger leadership image. As reputation becomes more intertwined with sustainability, incorporating sustainable technology is no longer optional, but an essential aspect for all business leaders.

In brief

As Shein pollution stats continue to grow year over year, the fast fashion brand being labeled as one of the biggest polluters in the fashion industry. The use of AI has only exacerbated this issue, as it has led to increased production levels and a higher turnover of clothing.