Abstract
To obtain a comprehensive view of the apparel disposal behaviors of young U.S. consumers, this study evaluated antecedents of apparel disposal behaviors using a framework based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA), categorization theory, and prior literature. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of undergraduate students at a large U.S. Midwestern university through a self-administered online survey. A final sample of 358 usable surveys was analyzed through the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) with Amos. The results supported the proposed relationships between environmental apparel knowledge and attitude toward sustainable methods of apparel disposal. In addition, the proposed relationships between attitude and apparel disposal intention (intention to discard, donate, reuse, or resell) were all supported except for intention to resell. While the results showed a significant and positive relationship between subjective norms and intention to resell or donate apparel, no significant relationship was shown between subjective norms and intention to reuse or discard apparel. In addition, subjective norms were a positive and significant antecedent of attitude. Lastly, respondents’ intention to engage in a particular apparel disposal behavior corresponded with the actual apparel disposal behavior.
Highlights
The clothing lifecycle has accelerated over the last few decades due to decreasing apparel prices and increasingly flexible supply chain systems (Bhardwaj & Fairhurst, 2010; Joung & Park‐Poaps, 2013)
This study focused on the apparel disposal behaviors of young U.S consumers and evaluated antecedents to apparel disposal behaviors using a framework based on theory of reasoned action (TRA), categorization theory, and prior literature
The results supported the proposed relationships between environmental apparel knowledge and attitude toward sustainable methods of apparel disposal. This finding indicates that the more consumers know about the environmental effects of apparel production, the more likely they are to have positive attitudes toward sustainable apparel disposal, such as reselling, donating, or reusing apparel
Summary
The clothing lifecycle has accelerated over the last few decades due to decreasing apparel prices and increasingly flexible supply chain systems (Bhardwaj & Fairhurst, 2010; Joung & Park‐Poaps, 2013). Consumers have become increasingly conscious of fashion trends, prompting apparel businesses to produce and offer cheaper, trendier garments often referred to as fast fashion (Bhardwaj & Fairhurst, 2010; Joung & Park‐Poaps, 2013; Žurga, Hladnik, & Tavčer, 2015). The rising popularity of fast fashion garments has contributed to the increasing rate at which consumers dispose of apparel (Bianchi & Birtwistle, 2012; Joung & Park‐Poaps, 2013; Morgan & Birtwistle, 2009; La Rosa & Jorgensen, 2021; Žurga, Hladnik, & Tavčer, 2015). According to the Environmental Protection Agency ("What happens when fashion becomes fast, disposable and cheap?," 2016), approximately 13 million tons of post-consumption textile waste is produced each year. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 10(8), 01-11
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