The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion: Why Australians Need Better Solutions for the Clothes we Discard
A recent study conducted by RMIT University has revealed that Australians are confused about how to responsibly dispose of their unwanted clothing. This confusion has led about a third of respondents to throw their clothes directly into the rubbish, contributing to the country’s growing textile waste problem. The study, which surveyed 3,080 Australians, found that 84% owned clothes they hadn’t worn in the past year, and a third had never worn more than half of their wardrobe.
Dr. Alice Payne, a professor at RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles and lead author of the study, highlighted the issue: Australians want to make responsible choices but lack clear guidance on what to do with old garments. Payne encourages people to extend the life of their clothes by repairing, maintaining, donating, or repurposing them before considering recycling. However, she acknowledges that existing textile recycling systems in Australia are still limited, leaving few options for those trying to avoid sending clothes to landfill.
Australians consume a huge amount of clothing, importing 1.4 billion units or 380,000 tonnes a year. But with more than 200,000 tonnes of clothing sent to landfill each year, the study stresses the urgent need for a national textile recycling scheme. Such a system could help address the significant amount of fashion waste while encouraging a shift toward more sustainable consumption. The industry-led initiative Seamless, launched by the Australian government, is working to create a national collection and recycling scheme, but much more work is needed, including stronger ties with fashion retailers.
The survey also provided insights into the types of clothing most frequently discarded, with T-shirts, shirts, and long-sleeved tops topping the list. Often cheap and mass-produced, these items tend to wear out quickly and end up in the trash. What’s more, these items are highly likely to be made of synthetic fabrics containing plastic fibres which end up in the environment. To combat this, the fashion industry should focus on creating durable, high-quality garments from natural materials that last longer, are more easily repaired and, if all else fails, can be easily recycled.
Interestingly, the survey also found that age plays a major role in Australians’ clothing habits. Younger people aged 18-34 are more likely to buy secondhand, repair, or resell their clothes but tend to accumulate a large collection of unworn items. In contrast, older Australians are more likely to donate unwanted clothes and are less likely to buy secondhand. Furthermore, many respondents reported that they care for their clothes by reading labels, washing in cold water, and drying items in the sun, which helps extend the lifespan of their garments.
Payne notes that younger Australians are increasingly mending clothes not just for practical reasons but also as a form of creative expression. Workshops teaching mending and repurposing techniques are helping people reconnect with their clothing, making them more aware of the value of quality garments and the environmental cost of fast fashion.
In a world where textile waste is growing, initiatives like Seamless and a focus on durable clothing and accessible recycling are essential for reducing Australia’s fashion footprint. Sustainable fashion practices— repairing, maintaining, donating, or repurposing —are key to curbing the cycle of waste and protecting the environment.
Do you know your fashion footprint? Take our Trashion – Plastics in Fashion survey and find out. The survey takes just 10 minutes and will help Take 3 for the Sea understand how much plastic is in our fashion.
