From the Archives – Here’s some helpful background for those looking for resources and information on the history of the ethical fashion revolution.
According to 2009-10 ABS statistics, Australians sent 85% of textiles to landfill.
Before we explore solutions, let’s take a look at the problem.
Source: Textile Beat, a social enterprise championing reuse and slow made clothing – textilebeat.com
Australians buy an average of 27 kilograms of new textiles each year and then discard about 23 kilograms* into landfill – and two-thirds of those discards are manmade synthetic/plastic fibres that may never breakdown. ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Sustainability consultant Jane Milburn said Australians are the second-largest consumers of new textiles after north Americans who annually buy 37kg each, and ahead of Western Europeans at 22kg while consumption in Africa, the Middle East and India averages just 5 kg per person. These figures are sourced from north American magazine Textile World. ⠀⠀⠀
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“There’s been a transformational shift in the way we source, use and discard our clothing which has major social and environmental implications. Fast fashion produced from global supply chains is driving purchasing of excessive new clothing, often discarded after a few wears,” Ms Milburn said. ⠀⠀⠀
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Australian Bureau of Statistics figures indicate about 500,000 tonnes of leather and textiles are discarded each year, amounting to 23 kilograms* each, and only a fraction of this appears to be being recovered through recycling. ⠀⠀⠀
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Most of our discards are just buried in landfill, so we can continue consuming without guilt. In a finite world, we can’t keep pretending this doesn’t matter…” Ms Milburn said average global annual consumption of textiles has doubled from 7 to 13 kg per person in two decades – and in Australia is twice that at 27kgs per person – and the majority of new clothing is now made from synthetic fibres derived from petroleum.*Australian Bureau of Statistics [reported] 501,000 tonnes of leather and textiles sent to landfill in 2009-10. Australian population 22 million in 2010, which averages out to 22.7kg per person. This figure may include carpets but that is not specified by the ABS.⠀⠀
Full article: https://textilebeat.com/aussies-send-85-of-textiles-to-landfill/
Where to from here..
The Solution
Whilst the waste is undeniable, there are aspects not captured by the ABS data, for example, textiles and clothing that are diverted prior to becoming “waste” through donations and recycling. There are definite actions we can take as individuals to improve our textile waste performance as a nation.
Vote with your dollar.
Like other industries, a portion of this waste is pre-consumer. As individuals we can take responsibility for our contribution by no longer supporting the businesses or manufacturing processes that create the waste on our behalf.
Recycling
In 2015-16, “Australians donated around 784,000 tonnes of second hand goods to charitable recyclers across the country” according to the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations, but up to 25% of these donations may go straight to landfill.
Therefore, we need to create a sustainable clothing culture through education, reuse & upcycling.
By utilising the fantastic network of non-profit and charity clothing recyclers, reusing, swapping and making conscious purchasing choices, we can dismiss fast fashion as a thing of the past and be well on our way to a low-waste future through sustainable fashion.
At Ethical Fashion Australia (now Ethical Fashion Review™) we’re committed to creating a culture of sustainable fashion which is why we’re compiling a directory of the best recycled fashion markets and stores for you. Please comment your favourite local Australian store or market to be included below or Contact Us.
Round She Goes Recycled Fashion Market – Sydney
*Comments and opinions expressed are that of the author. Sophie Newman