Treating our clothes more sustainably

March 30 is International Day of Zero Waste, with this year’s theme, "Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles,” focusing on reducing textile waste and promoting circular solutions. Clothes are an indispensable part of daily life, and their production and disposal have a profound environmental impact. Fast fashion has made clothes cheaper and more accessible to us. To promote economic growth in the current linear economy however, fashion trends cycle through rapidly to get people to buy more clothes, leading not just waste, but water pollution and carbon emission issues.[1]^,[2]

Linear economy prioritises profit over sustainability (Image source: Greenify Me)

Hong Kong people throw away a lot of clothes. In 2023, over 170 thousand tonnes of textiles were thrown out; just 14 percent of which is recovered for recycling.[3]Transforming textile waste into raw materials should not be the first option however. Our clothes are often made with a blended of natural and man-made fibres, together with plastic and metal components.[4]This makes separating fabrics for recycling difficult.[5]

A shift towards circular economy is necessary. Instead of disposing clothes at the end of its life cycle, a circular economy involves stages of repair, resale and recycling.[6]The key is to design out waste and pollution, as well as keeping products and materials in use as long as possible.[7]The ultimate goal of transitioning to circular economy is to accomplish sustainable development.[8]

The promotion of circular economy reduce used clothing disposed of at landfills (Image source: Wisetek Market)

 For instance, instead of throwing away ripped clothes, we can take them to stores to get repaired. Fashion Clinic is one such store in Hong Kong, where you can opt for visible mending services or fixing components like broken zippers.[9]Some retailers have also launched their own clothing repair and alteration services.[10]

A piece of repaired clothes by Fashion Clinic (Source: Fashion Clinic)

 For unwanted clothes, putting them up at second-hand stores for resale is a sustainable and practical option. Many fashion stores offer a variety of second-hand clothes, shoes, accessories and bags, making it easier to give pre-loved items a second life.[11]Additionally, some stores specialise in quality second-hand babywear and children’s clothing, catering to thrifty parents.[12]You can also conveniently resell items through various online platforms.

Alternatively, Friends of the Earth (HK) provides over 200 used clothes recycling bins in housing estates, hospitals and other public areas to collect clothes in good condition and donate them to the underprivileged[13].

Used clothes recycling bins located in public areas (Source: Friends of the Earth (HK))

Not all clothing items are suitable for redistribution, but they can still be repurposed into other products. For example, old uniforms can be recycled into plastic cups.[14]Old raincoats can also be made into travel pouches.[15]

Hactl successfully transformed its staff uniforms into upcycled cups (Source: The Stat Trade Times)

Direct government intervention may be another solution. In Europe, member states impose producer responsibility on those that manufacture, import or distribute textile products. Under the framework, producers are responsible for the full lifecycle of textile products and have to cover the cost of textile collection, sorting, and recycling.[16]Producers are not only encouraged to reduce waste and increase circularity, but also help to advance the local recycling sector. Hong Kong should align with Mainland China's circular economy policies and reconnect channels to facilitate recycling. By leveraging complementary advantages, efforts can be strengthened to advance the regional recycling and utilization of recyclable materials in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and jointly build a "Waste-free Bay Area".

To effectively reduce textile waste, it is important to change our mindset towards consumption. We should think carefully before making any purchase decisions and avoid impulsive shopping. It is a good practice for us to purchase clothing in better quality as well, where we can wear the clothes for a longer time.