Aiming to achieve circularity in Australian clothes by 2030, the Australian government has announced the beginning of Seamless, a clothing product stewardship initiative. Sixty-two brands have committed to participate in the program, which will see a $0.04 payment for each new item of clothing put on the market as of July 1.
The Australia Institute is proposing a tax on fast fashion in order to address the environmental impact of the clothing industry in Australia. They believe that the revenue generated from this tax could be used to support domestic businesses that follow sustainable practices, such as using natural textiles and minimizing waste.
Australian clothing businesses are struggling to compete with the low prices of fast fashion, leading to closures and job losses. The lack of growth in the domestic textiles industry is hurting the economy. The National Waste Action Plan in Australia bans exports of plastic, glass, paper, and tires, but the institute suggests that clothing waste exports should also be banned to prevent pollution in other countries.
As clothing waste levels continue to rise and global sentiment shifts towards environmental and health protection, it is likely that international legislation will restrict the export of clothing waste. To prevent a situation similar to China in 2018, it is crucial for Australia to reduce waste, increase domestic recycling of textiles, and implement a ban on exporting waste.
