Women managing their wardrobes (!)

This study explores the clothing disposal and recycling behaviour of Australian consumers and how big retailers and fashion brands in Australia can profitably and sustainably facilitate clothing recycling and reuse. Underpinned by extant theories, this study examines the reasons for not wearing clothing items, the reasons for keeping items not worn and the preference of disposal channels in Australia. A sample of 91 female respondents in Australia participated in this study via LinkedIn platform. Regression analysis of the findings indicated that ‘No Longer Fits, Size and Shrinkage’ are the key determinants of decisions to donate or dispose clothing followed by ‘Damage’, ‘Wear and Tear’ and then ‘Boredom, Out of Fashion and Changing Taste’. Big retailers may offer redeemable credits at the point of purchase for higher quality slow fashion garments. Implications have been drawn for the managers of clothing retailers in Australia to leverage clothing recycling through sharing economy platforms.