Clothing Disposal Research Articles

The Environmental and Social Impacts of Fast Fashion on Youth: A Statistical Analysis

This abstract presents a concise overview of the research conducted on the impact It has gained significant popularity among young consumers due to its affordability and accessibility. However, this abstract highlights the adverse effects of fast fashion on youth in various aspects, including environmental sustainability, labor rights, and psychological well-being. The first section explores the environmental consequences of fast fashion. It discusses the excessive consumption and disposal of clothing, leading to significant resource depletion, pollution, and landfill waste. The detrimental effects of textile production, such as water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, are also examined. Moreover, the concept of planned obsolescence and its contribution to a throwaway culture are discussed, emphasizing the need for sustainable alternatives. Fast fashion is being recognized as a prominent force in today's swiftly expanding fashion business, revolutionizing the way young people consume and engage with apparel. manufacturing and consumption of stylish, inexpensive clothing that are frequently inspired by runway trends and popular culture. While fast fashion is currently rising in popularity among young people throughout the world, its influence reaches far beyond passing fashion fads. implications of rapid fashion on teenage behavior, environment, and general well-being. Fast fashion is linked to unsustainable manufacturing and consumption practices, which cause severe environmental destruction. Fast fashion's environmental repercussions and lingering impacts on the earth, including as depletion of resources, and trash creation, can be illuminated through research. Fast fashion is based on low-cost production, which is frequently done in underdeveloped nations where workers endure terrible working conditions and low salaries. Learning about the social and economic repercussions on teenagers in these places can help improve working conditions and promote fair trade practices. In this research we will be using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). As per the SPSS Analysis we get to know that in Reliability Statistics Cronbach’s Alpha is 0.784, Cronbach's Alpha Based on Standardized Items is 0.790 and Number of Items is 7. From the above results I conclude that in Reliability Statistics Cronbach’s Alpha is 0.784, Cronbach's Alpha Based on Standardized Items is 0.790 and Number of Items is 7.

Sustainable wardrobe: recycled clothing towards sustainability and eco-friendliness

Clothing is an essential aspect of our daily lives, but it comes with a high environmental cost. The production and disposal of clothing contribute to pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the depletion of natural resources. However, recycled clothing presents an opportunity to reduce the impact of the fashion industry on the environment. The present study aims to investigate the impact of product-related factors, personal factors, promotional factors, social factors, and environmental and economic factors on recycled clothing buying behaviour. The data for analysis was collected using a survey method both online and offline from a sample of 420 selected through convenient sampling. Using SEM analysis, the study identified that all five factors influenced recycled clothing buying behaviour. Notably, it was found that among the factors considered promotional factors exhibited a pronounced effect on recycled clothing buying behaviour. Intriguingly product product-related factors did not show a significant influence on buying behaviour. The result of the study provides new insights into the existing literature in the context of the study.

Clothing disposal in Ethiopia: methods and motives

PurposeThis study explores clothing disposal in a developing economy. It focuses on how consumers dispose of clothing and what motives influence them to use a specific disposal method.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews, a qualitative research method, were conducted with a purposive sample of 27 participants from diverse demographic backgrounds within the developing economy of Ethiopia. The interviews were coded and analysed using thematic analysis to identify categories and themes.FindingsThe findings reveal various clothing disposal methods, such as bartering, donating, gifting, repurposing and reusing, and discarding. Different motives drive consumers to use these methods, including economic benefits, altruism, and convenience.Originality/valueThe study bridges an important knowledge gap in literature mainly on three aspects, as highlighted by previous research. Theoretically, in addition to proposing a different perspective of bartering as a disposal method, the study investigates the motives behind clothing disposal methods from diverse consumer groups and proposes a conceptual framework to illustrate the link between clothing disposal methods and motives. Methodologically, the study addresses the call for a more inclusive and diverse sample, considering gender and varied socio-economic groups. Contextually, while previous research has focused on developed economies, this study explains clothing disposal methods and motives from a developing economy context, specifically Ethiopia.

Chemical mapping of xyloglucan distribution and cellulose crystallinity in cotton textiles reveals novel enzymatic targets to improve clothing longevity

Pilling is a form of textile mechanical damage, forming fibrous bobbles on the surface of garments, resulting in premature disposal of clothing by consumers. However, our understanding on how the structural properties of the cellulosic matrix compliment the three-dimensional shape of cotton pills remains limited. This knowledge gap has hindered the development of effective ‘pillase’ technologies over the past 20 years due to challenges in balancing depilling efficacy with fabric integrity preservation. Therefore, the main focus here was characterising the role of cellulose and the hemicellulose components in cotton textiles to elucidate subtle differences between the chemistry of pills and fibre regions involved in structural integrity. State-of-the-art bioimaging using carbohydrate binding modules, monoclonal antibodies, and Leica SP8 and a Nikon A1R confocal microscopes, revealed the biophysical structure of cotton pills for the first time. Identifying regions of increased crystalline cellulose in the base of anchor fibres and weaker amorphous cellulose at dislocations in their centres, enhancing our understanding of current enzyme specificity. Surprisingly, pills contained a 7-fold increase in the concentration of xyloglucan compared to the main textile. Therefore, xyloglucan offers a previously undescribed target for overcoming this benefit-to-risk paradigm, suggesting a role for xyloglucanase enzymes in future pillase systems.

The Global Clothing Oversupply: An Emerging Environmental Crisis

Fashion is a potent visual indicator of our times, almost a language that speaks for us and something popular or in style, a zeitgeist. Fashion, specifically fast fashion, has gained prominence in discussions about fashion, sustainability, and environmental awareness. The speed of the hedonic treadmills continues to increase exponentially, and the so-called fast fashion has won legions of young fans who can snap up relatively cheap clothes online, but the trend masks darker environmental problems. Concerns about the fashion industry’s environmental impact have increased in recent years. This realization was prompted by accumulated evidence of a rise in clothing consumption due to greater availability and affordability. This shift has fostered not only heedless and hasty clothing consumption but also heedless and hasty clothing disposal. This article attempts to elucidate the relationship between humans and the environment. It also tries to incorporate the concepts of sustaincentrism and traceability to pave the way for sustainable development. This study employs an experimental survey method to ascertain consumers’ perceptions of sustainable fashion and to assess the implications of their current purchasing behavior. The SPSS software is used to analyze the data’s reliability, and regression analysis was employed to determine the fashion industry’s environmental impact. The survey results indicate optimism for a rise in ethical business strategies and the adoption of sustainable approaches within the fashion industry, thereby establishing a green economy.

CLOTHING CONSUMPTION AND DISPOSAL PATTERN AMONGST COLLEGE GOING GIRLS: AN EXPOLORATRY STUDY

For the textile industry to be considered sustainable its environmental impact needs to be reduced by 30-100% by using multiple measures like reusing and recycling. This study sought to determine how conscious college girls between the age of 18 and 22 are of the environmental effects of mindless clothing consumption and disposal. This study examined a number of distinct constructs such as environmental concern, environmental influence on clothing consumption and disposal, consumer behavior in relation to clothing, reasons for buying clothes, clothing disposal pattern, and barriers to clothing disposal for college-going girls.Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were employed to accomplish the goals. Six focus groups with ten to twelve college-age girls each were held as part of the qualitative study. The results of the focus group conversations were used to build a structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. The questionnaire was administered to 201 college going girls aged 18 to 22. Thus, gathered data was analyzed descriptively as well as statistically using SPSS.Reliability of each scale was checked using Cronbach's alpha method. To identify the factors in each variable, Principal Component Analysis was used. The survey discovered that while respondents were aware of environmental issues, they were unaware of how the production and disposal of garments affected the environment. The respondents were aware of a variety of recycling and reusing practices; however, they do not engage in these practices. This can be the case because another family member handles these tasks. They frequently buy new clothes in order to keep up with fashion trends and gain psychological comfort. People are unaware of the environmental impact of their clothing disposal, consumption, and purchasing.

Take-back programs: analysis of millennial participation in alternative clothing disposal methods

Purpose: This study aims to better understand the relationship between millennial consumers and brand or retailer clothing take-back programs. By analyzing general awareness and willingness to participate in these initiatives, inputs such as trust and brand loyalty are evaluated to understand its influence on behavior. Basic demographics were collected to better understand sample representation. A 5-point Likert scale was used to evaluate feelings and beliefs millennial consumers had towards take-back programs. To further analyze the data, a top-two box approach was utilized to predict the execution of the behavior evaluated. The results indicated that there was a general lack of awareness in terms of take-back programs from millennial consumers. In addition, there was confusion between take-back programs and other alternative means of clothing disposal. The data also provided the conclusion that trust amongst millennial consumers and sustainability claims from brands and retailers are low. Finally, personal brand loyalty influenced the willingness to participate in brand and retailer take-back programs. This research uses theory of reasoned action and theory of planned behavior to better understand consumer awareness of take-back programs. The paper addresses awareness of brand or retailer clothing take-back programs and the relationship trust and brand loyalty has on consumer participation.

Consumer attitude and disposal behaviour to second-hand clothing in Ghana

The issue of second-hand clothing which is exported from Europe and America into the African market remains a critical problem that poses threats to the eco-system. These clothing are sometimes unusable and have a limited life span which is eventually disposed of into landfills and water bodies. Thus, producing smells and toxic chemicals that pollute the air and environment when burnt or left to decompose. These indiscriminate disposals have been a major concern to citizens, stakeholders, and Governments. With the recurring threats posed by this practice, new technological innovations have been proposed and developed by leading brands and new start-ups in the industry to limit such negative impacts. Several studies on second-hand clothing are from the Global South, with limited research conducted by researchers within developing countries to understand the influence of behaviours and attitudes of consumers on the purchase of this clothing. Hence, this paper presents the first attempt to understand consumer attitudes towards the purchase and disposal of second-hand clothing in the environment of Ghana. Furthermore, the initial sections of the paper highlight new technologies and approaches developed by global brands and start-ups in Africa to curb second-hand clothing waste. A structured online questionnaire was developed and used to collect empirical data from 135 consumers in the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions of Ghana, a context that few studies have focused on. The regression analysis revealed that both attitude and disposal behaviour have a significantly positive influence on the consumption intention of consumers. Lastly, attitude had a positive and no significant impact on the relationship between disposal behaviour and consumption intention. Findings contribute to appropriate policy and regulation formation, the need for education, and environmental perspectives on the effects of these clothing for the implementation of circular initiatives. Hence, the study recommends the provision of waste bins, the establishment of recycling plants, and the enforcement of strict regulations to limit the importation of second-hand clothing into the Ghanaian markets.

Identifying Factors Influencing Consumers’ Choice of Disposal Channels Regarding Children’s Clothing in China

The disposal of undesired clothing, a crucial phase in consumers’ post-purchase decision-making process, significantly impacts the environment. However, behavior regarding the disposal of children’s clothing, a hitherto unexplored research area, differs from that of adults’ clothing due to the unique physical features of children. Investigating consumers’ behavior regarding the disposal of children’s clothing is thus essential. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify factors influencing consumers’ choice of disposal channels regarding children’s clothing in China. Specifically, the study seeks to answer two sub-questions: (1) What are the factors that influence consumers’ choice of conventional disposal channels for children’s clothing? and (2) what is the usage status of online clothing recycling platforms among consumers, and what are the barriers and facilitators for their adoption? Data were collected through a combination of quantitative closed-ended questions and a qualitative open-ended question from an online survey involving 259 mothers of children aged 4 to 12 years. The quantitative data were analyzed using binary logistic regression, whereas the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and Chi-square by employing the capability, opportunity, and motivation–behavior model (COM-B). The findings show that Chinese consumers’ choice of conventional disposal channels for children’s clothing is influenced by reasons related to poor fit and clothing damage, mother’s age, and family’s annual family income level. Moreover, the study reveals that online clothing-recycling platforms as an emerging disposal channel are not widely accepted due to various barriers, including psychological capability, physical opportunity, social opportunity, and reflective motivation. Therefore, the insights gained from this study provide guidance to consumers, recyclers, public policymakers, and practitioners in the children’s clothing industry towards children’s clothing disposal, aiming to promote sustainable disposal behavior.

Sustainable consumer behaviour in clothes disposal in the Sri Lankan context

Purpose: Interest in sustainability has developed in recent decades and individuals are being encouraged to shift toward consumption that is more socially and environmentally sustainable. Sustainable consumption encompasses the acquisition, use, and disposal of goods as a subset of general consumption. The phrase "disposal" in the context of apparel consumption refers to whether a garment is merely discarded, resold, reused, or recycled. This study investigates how consumers can be persuaded to adopt sustainable practices when disposing of clothes.
 Design/methodology/approach: The study has been conducted by using 366 respondents in Sri Lanka as a quantitative study. This study used the Fogg Behavior Model to investigate what would stimulate consumers to include sustainability criteria. There are three independent variables of the study namely; motivation- sensation anticipation, motivation-social evaluation, and ability which have tested the influence on the dependent variable sustainable clothing disposing behavior while investigating the moderation effect from the trigger. 
 Findings: The results of the study indicated that variables motivation- sensation anticipation, motivation- social evaluation, and ability have a significant positive impact on sustainable clothing disposing behaviour. Furthermore, the trigger has no moderation impact on the relationship between motivation- sensation anticipation, motivation- social evaluation, ability and sustainable clothing disposing behaviour.
 Originality: Even though clothing disposal has become a significant area for marketing research, especially in post-consumption behaviour, no research has been found on how consumers sustainably dispose of clothing in the Sri Lankan context.
 Implications: This research provides recommendations, suggestions, and insights for marketers and fashion retailers to design their strategies when introducing a novel approach like sustainable clothing disposal.
 Keywords: Clothing Disposal, Fashion, Post Consumption, Sustainable Consumption

Development of an Algorithm for Textile Waste Arrangement

With the constant availability of new designs at extremely low prices, the production and disposal of clothing have increased significantly, leading to the need for the sustainable management of processes. The implementation of established craft practices in modern sustainable mass production requires the development and application of software and hardware computer tools as well as production machinery. Although the management of textile waste for interior design articles is addressed in the scientific literature by various techniques, there is still limited data and strategies based on the use of specific algorithms. Therefore, in this research, an algorithm is proposed, with the help of which textile waste resulting from upholstery production can be reused in the creation of interior decoration parts. The algorithm is implemented in the GNU Octave 6.4 programming environment, which makes it easily redistributable and accessible. The algorithm consists of a total of six stages, offering an option for arranging the textile elements and analyzing their color characteristics. The arrangement is performed with a Voronoi diagram, and the colors are represented by a four-color circle. Moreover, data on waste textile fabrics are presented, as well as their application in the conception of interior design elements. The proposed algorithm allows designers to focus on the visual design rather than compatibility checks and constraints. The present paper provides an algorithm for reusing textile wastes, which come in a variety of shapes and colors and are produced throughout the fabric cutting phase of upholstery manufacturing, in order to identify the most optimal combinations in matching irregular waste shapes and combinations of colors, create a suitable pattern for new interior design items, and contribute to improving the sustainable management of textile waste that is produced in considerable amounts.

Mountains of waste and wasted mountains: clothes, sheep and people in modernising Iceland

This paper takes as its starting point two landscapes of waste and connects them through an account of the intensification of production and consumption of textiles in modernising Iceland. Archaeological waste assemblages and historical resources are used to illustrate the consumption and disposal of clothing throughout the 19th century, which is juxtaposed with archaeological and historical studies into sheep rearing, grazing pressures and wool production. The paper argues that the economic notion of waste and the capitalist system from which it originates create landscapes of waste. It stipulates that many solutions which have been forwarded to the waste crisis are still conceived of within this socio-economic system. Historicizing waste creation demonstrates the urgency for alternative answers and the need to resist the movement of materials through the cycle of resource extraction, production, consumption and recycling, and further away from sites of use.

Encouraging sustainable clothing disposal: consumers’ social recycling motivations in Turkey

Encouraging sustainable clothing disposal: consumers’ social recycling motivations in Turkey

Impact of behavioural factors on sustainable fashion usage intention: Evidence from consumers in Ho Chi Minh City

This study quantifies the impact of behavioral factors on sustainable fashion usage intention using self-reported data of 396 consumers in Ho Chi Minh City 2023. Sustainable fashion usage intention is measured using five factors based on behavioral theory and qualitative research 1) Attitude, 2) Social value, 3) Perceived behavioral control, 4) Subjective norms, and 5) Sustainable clothing disposal. We examine the cognitive processes of sustainable fashion consumers as they made usage decisions, as well as the subsequent implications of their choices. The results suggest that sustainable fashion usage intention is impacted by two characteristics influencing young generation intention in sustainable fashion in HCMC: Attitude and social value.

CONSUMER CLOTHING DISPOSAL BEHAVIOR: CHARACTERISTICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

This study aims to explore the consumer clothing disposal behavior (CCDB) such as resell, reuse, donate and discard of used clothing in terms of consumer concern for environment (CCE), consumer attitude (CA), information unavailability (IU), consumer motivation (CM) and Apparel disposal subjective norms (ADSN). A cross-sectional survey research design was conducted to evaluate the consumer clothing disposal behavior. The participants included 275 female consumers between the age of 19-55 years, who were purposively selected through non-probability purposive sampling procedure. Indigenously constructed questionnaire at five-point Likert scale were used to collect the data. Correlation and linear regression were used for analysis. Findings revealed that consumers showed positive attitude towards disposing old garments and they have positive approach towards environmental concerns, CM and ADSN play an important role towards disposing garments. This study is important to fast fashion retailers, marketers, environmental campaigners, charitable organizations and public policy makers. Keywords: Clothing, Consumer, Disposal behavior, Environmental concern, Motivation, Consumer Attitude

Hyperkeratotic flexural erythema (more commonly known as granular parakeratosis) with use of laundry sanitizers containing benzalkonium chloride.

Hyperkeratotic flexural erythema (HKFE), also known as granular parakeratosis, is a scaly, erythematous or brown eruption, which usually occurs in the intertriginous and flexural areas. It has been linked to the use of benzalkonium chloride (BAK). To review the clinical presentation of patients diagnosed with HKFE who had been exposed to laundry sanitizer containing BAK, and the therapies trialled to treat these patients. This was a retrospective cases series of 45 patients seen by dermatologists in Victoria, Australia. Information was collected on clinical presentation, investigation and management. The patients varied in age from 18 months to 89 years. The rash typically presented as a symmetrical erythema with characteristic multilayered brownish epidermal scaling. The most common location of the rash was the inguinal/anogenital area (32 of 45 patients; 71.1%) and there was a female predominance. Regarding treatment, topical corticosteroids were frequently prescribed and antibiotics were trialled in 11 patients; however, the condition resolved spontaneously over time in all patients with use of emollients, along with cleaning of the washing machine by running an empty wash, and repeated washing or sometimes disposal of BAK-contaminated clothing. This large case series highlighted the characteristic clinical presentation of HKFE in the setting of BAK used in laundry sanitizer, demonstrating a potential causal link. Further studies are required to evaluate the role of the skin microbiome.

Sustainable Fashion Consumption: Advocating Philanthropic and Economic Motives in Clothing Disposal Behaviour

The fast fashion market is becoming popular, escalating and aggravating the throwaway culture phenomenon. Thus, it is valuable to understand the factors that influence sustainable fashion consumption and the clothing disposal pattern among young consumers in developing countries like Malaysia. Data were obtained from the online survey of 324 young adults aged 18 to 35 and were analysed using the Partial Least Square using SmartPLS (v.3.3.3i). The findings indicate that personal norms, social norms and environmental awareness were the key influencing factors of sustainable fashion consumption. Consequently, sustainable fashion consumption exhibited a positive and significant relationship towards philanthropic and economic reasons for clothing disposal behaviour. The insights from this study will assist practitioners, green manufacturers, business owners and policy makers in giving a clearer picture of what motivates sustainable fashion consumption and the clothing disposal behaviour of today’s young adults.

Sustainable practices in slow and fast fashion stores: What does the customer perceive?

The fashion industry is the second largest polluter of the environment. The fast fashion segment aims at a fast production and disposal of clothing, slow fashion seeks timeless and durable garments. Both fast and slow fashion stores are using different strategies of communicating their sustainability practices in order to attract consumer attention. The present study aims to compare the customers’ perception regarding sustainability practices of two different stores – one of slow fashion and the other of fast fashion. Both are in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. The comparative analysis was carried on with a documental analysis of the declared practices and also a survey with customers, in 2018 and 2017, respectively, for slow (118 costumers) and fast fashion stores (400 costumers). Statistical tests were made - Qui-square hypothesis test to identify preferences and proportion test to compare the answers. It was noticed that customers in general do not have knowledge about the sustainability practices adopted by the companies. However, for 78% of the fast fashion and for 91% of the slow fashion customers, the perception of the companies has changed positively after they know about the sustainability practices of the companies. The profile of the respondents was also compared to the general profile of the conscious consumer in Brazil. It was found that regardless the consumer says he/she is conscious, they do not agree to pay more for a greener product, even though they believe that an organization should have sustainable practices. The results suggest that there is still a lot to be done in order to transform sustainability practices into competitive for consumer.

Predicting clothing disposal: The moderating roles of clothing sustainability knowledge and self-enhancement values

The purpose of the study was to identify factors that predicted clothing disposal with a focus on testing the moderating roles of knowledge (i.e., clothing sustainability knowledge) and personal values (i.e., self-enhancement), while introducing a new concept of consumers' self-perception of owning (SPO). Data were collected from university students through an online survey using Qualtrics. Results showed that the influence of self-perception of owning (SPO) in consumers’ disposal behaviors, specifically how long they keep clothing before disposing of it, was unexpected and contrary to predictions. The direct relationships between amount of clothing purchases and self-perception of owning (SPO) and between SPO and clothing disposal behavior (i.e., duration of keeping clothing items before disposal) were not found in this study. The interaction results, however, indicated that the positive relationship between clothing purchases and SPO existed and was strengthened for participants who had a high level of clothing sustainability knowledge, but not for those participants who had moderate or low level of clothing sustainability knowledge. Additionally, the study found that the negative relationship between SPO and how long participants would keep clothing before disposing of it became even stronger for those participants who valued greatly personal success and achievement in life than those who did not value personal success and achievement as much.

Passion for the past: Effect of charity appeals and nostalgia on clothing donation intentions

AbstractAlthough consumers' clothing disposal behavior is of considerable interest in the research community, there is a lack of empirical studies that thoroughly examine how consumers respond to charity messages in the context of clothing donation. Drawing on construal level theory, this study aims to contribute to the topic by examining the interplay of charity appeals (other‐ vs. self‐benefit) and social emotion (nostalgia vs. control) on clothing donation behavior. Our results show that consumers reveal greater donation intentions toward other‐benefit appeals than self‐benefit appeals. Also, the results indicate that high nostalgic consumers tend to reveal greater donation intentions than low nostalgic consumers (Study 1). Further, the charity appeals effect is moderated by situationally induced nostalgia. Specifically, we found that the congruent matching of other‐benefit appeals with nostalgia increases donation intentions (Study 2). These findings provide important implications, both theoretically and managerially, by systematically highlighting how different charity appeals can be beneficial in charitable advertising, depending on nostalgia highlighting the sentimental longing for the past.