Fast Fashion in Australia
From Landfill Crisis to Circular Solutions
Australia’s Fashion Waste Crisis
Australia is facing a clothing waste crisis fueled by fast fashion. Australians now buy more clothes per person than any other nation – roughly 56 new garments each year – and toss over 200,000 tonnes of textiles into landfills annually. Once there, clothing decomposes slowly, releasing harmful methane gas and even microplastics that leach into soil and water.
Young consumers are at the heart of this issue: trend-driven shopping means many items are worn only a handful of times (if at all) before being dumped as “out of style”.
Compounding the problem, cheap, imported fast fashion – pieces that “lose shape… and fall apart” after just a few wears – fuels this throwaway cycle and accelerates environmental damage.
Embracing Circular Fashion
The good news is that the next generation is also key to the solution. By embracing circular fashion practices, we can keep clothing in use and out of landfill. Here are a few impactful ways to get started:
Buy Second-Hand: Shop at thrift stores or resale apps to give clothes a longer life (and score unique, affordable finds).
Rework & Repair: Mend torn seams, tailor thrifted pieces, or upcycle old outfits into something new instead of tossing them.
Choose Quality Over Quantity: Invest in well-made staples that last for years, not cheap items made to be thrown away
Every garment you reuse or extend keeps waste out of landfills and reduces demand for new production.
Small choices – from swapping fast fashion hauls for vintage treasures, to wearing what you have longer – add up to a big impact. Together, young Australians can lead a stylish revolution that puts our planet first.
Every garment you reuse or extend keeps waste out of landfills and reduces demand for new production. Small choices – from swapping fast fashion hauls for vintage treasures, to wearing what you have longer – add up to a big impact. Together, young Australians can lead a stylish revolution that puts our planet first.
