Massive Consumption: Australia is the second-largest consumer of textiles globally, after the United States.
Environmental Impact: The fashion industry is the second biggest polluter in the world.
Consumption and Waste
Average Purchase: The average Australian buys ~27 kilograms of clothing annually.
Waste: Of this, around 23 kilograms end up in landfill.
Global Production: Annually, upwards of 150 billion garments are produced worldwide.
Population vs. Production: With a global population of ~7 billion, the excess garments are likely going to landfill, being incinerated, or sold on the second-hand market.
Textile Composition
Common Fibers: Most textiles are made from polyester and cotton.
Polyester: Being a type of plastic, it doesn't biodegrade, contributing significantly to landfill waste.
Cotton: Naturally breaks down because it is organic.
Sustainable Fashion Initiatives
Red Cross Partnerships: Collaborations with educational institutions to promote sustainable fashion.
Education Outreach: Engaging universities and colleges to incorporate textile waste management into their programs.
Influence on Designers: Aiming to influence the next generation of fashion designers to consider garment lifespan and sustainability during the design process.
Design and Production Practices
Design Considerations: Importance of planning for the garment's end-of-life during the design phase.
Zero Waste Patterns: Utilizing entire pieces of fabric, such as making garments from dead-stock fabric or random offcuts.
Economic Considerations
True Cost of Clothing: Emphasizing that clothing should be more expensive due to ethical production practices.
Low-Cost Fallacy: Acknowledging that extremely cheap clothing (e.g., $5 T-shirts) often results from exploitation in production, implying hidden costs borne by others.