Of almost 305,000 tonnes of textiles discarded in NSW last year, only 800 tonnes were recycled, a report has found.
Key points:
- A report findsnearly 330,000 tonnes of textiles are imported into NSW each year, and about305,000 tonnes are discarded
- About240,000 tonnes goto landfill, while 62,000 tonnes are exported for reuse by charities
- Designers are urged to think about their products' 'end-of-life' options so more can be recycled
About 240,000 tonnes were sent to landfill,with the remaining 62,000 tonnes sent overseas by charities for reuse, according to the report by the Australasian Circular Textile Association (ACTA) for the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
ACTA CEO and founder Camille Reed said the research showed the problem had been underestimated.
"Rather than your 23, 27kilos per person that has been used for the past several years, it's closer to 39, 41 kilos per person per capita of textile consumption," Ms Reed said.
The figures include clothing and household items like bed linen, curtains and furnishings.
ACTA used the data to estimate that closeto 1 million tonnes of textiles were being consumed in Australia each year, and the issue was probably being under reported.
What a waste
Reuse and recycling company SCRgroup's national executive for business development and communications, Alexis Todorovski, saysmore needs to be done to tackle waste, especially as a lot of the material that endsup in landfill could instead be reused.
"Reuse is the least energy intensive, it's the best thing for the environment," she said.
While an emerging recycling industry was an important next step, Ms Todorovski said it was "almost pointless" to consider unless more textiles could be prevented from ending up in landfill.
"So if we can focus on that first, and then after that, look at technology and potential avenues that we can use to treat material that's not fit for reuse," she said.
"It's a huge [amount] of material that does go into landfill, and it is alarming, and it should be the first thing that we are addressing."
Brands urged to designfor 'end-of-life'
Ms Reed said industry, government and consumers all had a part to play in tackling the problem.
She said consumers should invest in higher-priced items and garments, as well as research companies and brands or ask them for information about their processes.
"We know once we purchase higher-price goods, we usually keep them in our lives for a bit longer, rather than something that's cheap that we see as quite replaceable," she said.
She said "brands, at this point, could be designing for end-of-life consideration".
That could mean incorporating more sustainable materials and designing with end-of-life in mind for trims and hardware.
About 60 per cent of textiles are plastic
NSW EPAorganics manager Amanda Kane said buying quality items could help to stem the waste.
"Buyquality clothing when you can —if you can afford it — and clothing that can be reused or repurposed, like natural fibres," Ms Kane said.
"The challenge with textiles ... [is]the fact that the large quantity of textiles is actually plastic waste —about 60 per cent of textiles are synthetic and then the remainder are organic.
"It's a challenging waste stream, and we're starting from the beginning I think really, or really early stages in NSW."
But, Ms Kane said, the situation was not completely dire.
"There's always hope, there is always hope," shesaid.
Ms Reed saidgovernments could be more proactive in helping to cut down on waste.
"There's also opportunity there to incentivise brands and retailers through tax or tariffs or something to recognise that there's a conscious impact there, either for the product being imported or where it's ending up at end of life," she said.
A national summit is expected to be held later this year to develop a framework for a circular economy for clothing textiles.
As an expert in environmental sustainability and waste management, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the discussion of textile waste, recycling, and the broader issues associated with the fashion industry's impact on the environment.
The key findings of the report on textile waste in New South Wales (NSW) highlight a critical problem that demands urgent attention. Among the staggering figures presented, the most alarming statistic is that of the nearly 305,000 tonnes of textiles discarded in NSW last year, only 800 tonnes were recycled. This data, compiled by the Australasian Circular Textile Association (ACTA) for the NSW Environment Protection Authority, sheds light on the extent of the issue.
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Import and Disposal Statistics:
- Approximately 330,000 tonnes of textiles are imported into NSW annually.
- Out of this, about 305,000 tonnes are discarded.
- Around 240,000 tonnes end up in landfills, while 62,000 tonnes are exported for reuse by charities.
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Underestimated Consumption:
- The ACTA CEO and founder, Camille Reed, emphasized that the problem has been underestimated. The per capita textile consumption is higher than previously reported, with figures closer to 39-41 kilos per person rather than the previously cited 23-27 kilos.
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Consumer Behavior and End-of-Life Design:
- To address the issue, Reed and other experts urge consumers to invest in higher-priced, quality items, which tend to have longer lifespans.
- Additionally, designers are encouraged to consider "end-of-life" options when creating products. This involves incorporating sustainable materials and designing with the recyclability and reusability of items in mind.
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Waste Reduction Strategies:
- Alexis Todorovski, the national executive for business development and communications at the reuse and recycling company SCRgroup, emphasizes the importance of waste reduction. She highlights that while recycling is crucial, preventing textiles from ending up in landfills should be prioritized.
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Textile Composition and Quality:
- Amanda Kane from the NSW EPA organics management emphasizes the challenge of textiles being predominantly synthetic (about 60%), contributing to plastic waste. She suggests buying quality clothing made from natural fibers that can be reused or repurposed.
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Government Role and Hope for Change:
- Reed and Kane both stress the need for governments to be proactive in incentivizing brands and retailers to address the conscious impact of their products on the environment.
- Despite the challenges, there is optimism that changes in consumer behavior, industry practices, and government initiatives can lead to a more sustainable approach to textile consumption.
The upcoming national summit to develop a framework for a circular economy for clothing textiles indicates a recognition of the need for coordinated efforts to address this pressing environmental issue.
