Allowing textiles to end up in landfill represents a significant loss of valuable resources, according to the Dean of the RMIT School of Fashion & Textiles Professor Alice Payne.
Her comment comes after the release of a landmark study over the way Australians buy and dispose of clothing. The study was produced by RMIT and funded by the Queensland Government and low-price retailer Kmart.
The study found that while over 90 per cent of the clothes sent to landfill could be reused or recycled, only 7 per cent of discarded textiles are actually recycled, and an estimated 50 per cent of household clothing or textile waste ends up in landfill.
Payne said that the Queensland Government was particularly interested in understanding why clothing ends up in the general waste (red household) bins, prompting a deeper investigation into Australian-specific behaviours regarding clothing use and disposal.
One key finding from the study is that age is the most significant factor influencing consumer behaviour around clothing use and disposal.
“Contrary to our expectations, geographic location did not play as large a role in determining behaviours as we had initially assumed,” Payne said. “Additionally, the study revealed that both older and younger Australians are actively engaging in circular practices, albeit in distinct ways.
“These insights challenge some common assumptions and open up new avenues for targeted interventions across different age groups.”
Older Australians appear to maintain a smaller wardrobe, consuming and discarding clothing less frequently. They’re more likely to donate the clothing they’re no longer wearing.
In contrast, younger consumers are more likely to adopt diverse circular practices, such as creative clothing repairs, re-selling of clothing, etc. However, they’re also more likely to throw clothing into the bin that could continue to be worn.
Another key finding is that Australians are confused about where and how to responsibly discard clothing, with 32 per cent sometimes throwing clothes into the general waste bins and a further 24 per cent into the home recycling bins.
According to Payne, this highlights the need for a nationally scaled collection system for unwearable clothing, alongside appropriate and trusted recycling pathways.
“To achieve material efficiency and sustainability, clothing should remain in use for as long as possible. Once clothing becomes unwearable, it's crucial that the materials are directed toward recycling pathways rather than being discarded as waste,” she said.
Payne said the next step is to encourage further analysis of the data by industry, government, and other interested organisations.
“By fostering collaboration, we hope to leverage these findings to drive systemic change,” she said. “Over time, we aim to track Australia's progress toward a more circular economy by continuing to measure and analyse changes in consumer behaviour. This data will serve as a benchmark for monitoring improvements and identifying areas that require additional focus.”
The published findings will be shared and unpacked by Payne in a panel discussion at the upcoming Global Sourcing Expo, taking place from November 19-21, 2024 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
“Australians are among the world’s biggest consumer of clothing,” International Expo Group CEO Marie Kinsella said. “More than 200,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfill each year. It’s absolutely critical that we reduce waste, and the establishment of an effective circular economy is key.
“Prof. Alice’s panel discussion is essential for any fashion or textile brand that wants to be a part of the solution.”