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Australians are accumulating clothing at an unprecedented rate, with 1.5 billion new items purchased last year – an average of 55 garments per person, according to a new report by Seamless, Australia’s national clothing stewardship scheme.
The report reveals that while reuse and secondhand clothing sales are increasing, they are not keeping pace with the volume of new purchases. Approximately 229,000 tonnes of clothing ends up in landfill annually, representing 53% of unwanted garments. A further 38% are reused locally or exported, while only 9% are recycled.
The sheer scale of consumption is contributing significantly to environmental impacts, according to Seamless CEO Ainsley Simpson. She stated that current levels of overconsumption are locking in a carbon and water footprint inconsistent with a sustainable future, equating to approximately 14.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions and the consumption of 1.8 billion tonnes of water.
The issue extends beyond environmental concerns. Australians are hoarding clothing, with statistics showing 5.27 billion items stockpiled in wardrobes – an average of 193 garments per person. A separate survey conducted by RMIT University found that most Australians own clothes they haven’t worn in a year and a third haven’t used half of their wardrobe.
Efforts to address the problem are emerging, with some companies pioneering innovative solutions. New Zealand-based ethical label Kowtow has eliminated plastic and petrochemicals from its entire production process, including trims like zips and buttons, opting for recyclable or natural alternatives. The company is now tackling end-of-life garment management by turning textile waste into biochar – a charcoal-like substance used to enrich soil.
“We made a really bold decision to go entirely plastic free with every single part of our production,” said Kowtow founder Gosia Piatek. The scheme involves removing non-organic trims from returned items for reuse in repair programs, and has already converted a tonne of textile waste into biochar. Kowtow’s head of sustainability, Tessa Bradley, described the process as “revolutionary,” stating, “By unmaking what we’ve made, we give back. This isn’t the end of a garment’s life. It’s the start of something bigger – a future where fashion becomes a force that restores, not extracts.”
Experts emphasize the importance of extending the life of existing clothing. Simpson recommends prioritizing re-wearing, repairing, and sharing garments. “This includes donating good-quality items to established charity and resale networks to extend the life of garments and reduce the demand for new clothes,” she said.
Salvos Stores manager Matt McMahon advises donors to consider whether an item is good enough to give to a friend before donating. “A helpful guide is that if something is good enough to give to a friend then it’s probably good enough to donate,” he said.
Though, textile recycling rates remain low, at just 5% nationally, with carpet recycling accounting for the majority. Australians generate an estimated 33kg of textile waste per person annually, with clothing comprising the largest portion. While some localized initiatives are emerging, such as collection drives in South Australia which recovered almost 20 tonnes of textiles at a single event, and pilot programs funded by Seamless – including postal return satchels led by Australia Post and RM Williams – widespread recycling infrastructure remains limited.
Sustainable fashion consultant Julie Boulton argues for a systemic shift in how clothing is viewed, and produced. “We necessitate to acquire rid of the idea that clothes are disposable items. They are not,” she stated. Boulton advocates for holding producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products and preventing the use of environmentally damaging materials. She also encourages consumers to focus on needs rather than wants and avoid impulse purchases.
Seamless, established as Australia’s national clothing product stewardship scheme, aims to revolutionize how Australians choose, enjoy, and recycle clothing by 2030. The organization, now independent, is industry-owned and government-supported, offering brands a platform to manage sustainable practices and comply with future environmental regulations. The Australian Fashion Council is encouraging its members to join the scheme, offering benefits such as levy discounts for items made from single fibres.
