Why we need to rethink our fashion waste

• fashion
• waste
• repair
• reuse

By Ashmeeta Subra 8 November 2024

Let’s look at how so many of our garments end up in landfill, the harm it causes to the environment and actions that can be taken to prevent it.

Adding new items to your wardrobe can be exciting, but how often do you stop to think about the journey our garments take – and how they often end up in rotting away in landfill?

Each year, more than 200,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfill – the equivalent weight of nearly four Sydney Harbour Bridges! Clothes made from organic materials like cotton will release methane as they decompose, while those made from synthetic materials can leach toxic chemicals and dyes into the soil and groundwater nearby. It can also take 200 over years for materials like polyester and other synthetic fibres (which make up 69 per cent of our clothes these days) to decompose in landfill.

According to the World Resources Institute, it takes 2,700 litres of water to make just one cotton shirt. Including processes like packing, manufacturing, and dyeing, approximately seven kilograms of carbon dioxide are generated before we bring a t-shirt home. When these shirts and other garments are binned instead of being reused or repurposed, the valuable resources that went into making them such as water, energy and raw materials go to waste.

While eco-friendly initiatives like innovative fabrics and recycled materials are heading in the right direction, they’re not enough on their own to drive meaningful environmental impact. Alongside buying fewer new garments to prevent unnecessary waste, it’s also important to take steps to restore, care and maintain the clothes you have.

A recent RMIT survey found that most Australians (around 65 per cent) have items in their wardrobe that have not been used in over 12 months. The survey also found that 45 per cent of consumers believe no one would want their old clothes, while nearly 40 per cent have never considered alternatives to throwing them away.

It’s important to consider all options before discarding any piece of clothing, and fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to keep your clothes in circulation and prevent them from going to landfill:

• Take good care of what you already own: learn to properly launder clothes and consider repairing or altering pieces to give them a longer life.

• Donate to charities or op shops: check Recycling Near You for local charities. Only donate items in good condition that you would feel comfortable gifting to a friend.

• Donate to animal shelters: other textiles such as old towels and sheets that aren’t in suitable condition for donating can make great bedding for pets. Your local council may have drop-off points, or a quick online search will help you find nearby shelters or vets that are willing to accept your old textiles.

• Repurpose: turn worn-out garments into cleaning rags for daily use or use them in DIY crafts.

• Sell or swap: list items on online marketplaces, set up a clothing sale at your local market or

  host a clothing swap with your community!

• Recycle your textiles: if they can’t be repurposed or restored, consider recycling with companies like Rcycl, Textile Recyclers Australia or Underwear for Humanity. Some even offer pick-up or postage options for a fee.

By taking a few simple steps, you can not only ensure these clothes find a good home but also help conserve valuable resources and reduce waste. Being mindful of your consumption, caring for what you already own, choosing secondhand and exploring creative ways to extend their life are all powerful actions that can significantly reduce your fashion footprint.

If you’re looking for more ways to get involved, check out National Recycling Week for clothing swaps and repair workshops happening near you.