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Are Australian Consumers Ready to Wear Recycled Clothing to Practice Sustainable Consumption?

Author

Listed:
  • Rajesh Bahl

    (School of Fashion & Textiles, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3056, Australia)

  • Tarun Panwar

    (School of Fashion & Textiles, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3056, Australia)

  • Rajiv Padhye

    (School of Fashion & Textiles, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3056, Australia)

  • Rajkishore Nayak

    (Fashion Enterprise, School of Communication & Design, RMIT University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam)

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the extant literature to explore if Australian consumers are ready to reuse clothing as a pathway to sustainability. In this study, sustainability aspects such as collaborative consumption, apparel disposal methods, acquisition of used clothing, consumer concerns and attitudes towards reuse, and sellers’ readiness to offer sustainable solutions to clothing consumption have been explored in the context of the Australian market. The most important research contribution of this paper is the answer to whether Australia is ready to adopt the reuse of clothing through remaking and repurposing as a sustainable approach for the consumption of clothing at its end-of-life (EOL). Facilitators and challenges for the secondhand clothing sector have also been discussed. The findings highlight challenges including consumer awareness, an unwillingness to use secondhand clothing, limited recycling facilities, the availability of brand-new cheaper clothing, and the limited range of secondhand clothing. The facilitators include government policies towards recycling, fashion brands’ initiatives, and high-quality rejected clothing with the potential for reuse. It has been established that creating consumer awareness of secondhand clothing is essential to penetrate the market. Furthermore, there are ample opportunities to research consumers and the clothing reuse and recycling sector in Australia.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajesh Bahl & Tarun Panwar & Rajiv Padhye & Rajkishore Nayak, 2023. "Are Australian Consumers Ready to Wear Recycled Clothing to Practice Sustainable Consumption?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:21:p:15451-:d:1270804
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sarah Gray & Angela Druckman & Jhuma Sadhukhan & Keith James, 2022. "Reducing the Environmental Impact of Clothing: An Exploration of the Potential of Alternative Business Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-24, May.
    2. Mushahid Ali Shamsi & Asiya Chaudhary & Imran Anwar & Rajarshi Dasgupta & Sachin Sharma, 2022. "Nexus between Environmental Consciousness and Consumers’ Purchase Intention toward Circular Textile Products in India: A Moderated-Mediation Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-18, October.
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