Study finds charities overwhelmed by unwanted clothes and calls for fashion advertising ban

A study of nine cities, including Melbourne, found that charities are overwhelmed by unwanted clothing, leading to increased landfill waste and exports of low-quality textiles to poorer countries. Researchers are calling for a ban on fashion advertising to address overconsumption. The study revealed that local councils are not doing enough to support charities in managing textile waste. Many charities report a decline in the quality of donated clothes, with a significant portion ending up in landfills or being exported. The report highlights the environmental impact of synthetic fabrics in fast fashion, which now dominate the market. It suggests that promoting sustainable fashion alternatives could help reduce textile waste in cities.