A clothes revolution - your wardrobe, your power

Let's Talk Textiles!

Have you ever looked at your wardrobe and wondered where it all came from, or where it will all go? We love clothes! They express our culture and identity. Who we are and how we feel. They keep us safe and comfortable. They can bring us joy. But the way clothes and other textiles are made, bought and disposed of has a big impact on the environment and community wellbeing, globally. In this make-buy-dispose process, our choices do matter.

At Edendale, we believe everyone can be part of the solution.

The Story Behind Our Clothes: A Quick Look

Did you know that in Australia, each person throws away an average of 23 kilograms of textiles every year. That is a lot of clothes ending up in landfill! Globally, the numbers are mind blowing. This waste isn't just about old clothes; it's about the resources used to manufacture them, the people that make them, the energy used to transport them, and the pollution caused in the making and disposal.

The journey of our clothes often has a hidden story. Many textiles are manufactured in developing nations where cheap labour is abundant, and social and environmental laws are low. This often leads to low wages, poor working conditions, and degradation of local environments. Textile production uses vast amounts of water, often leading to water scarcity or pollution from dyes and chemicals that can contaminate local rivers and ecosystems. When these clothes are no longer wanted, a large portion of the textiles end up in landfill.

The Fashion Fairy Tale... Gone Wrong?

The rise of "fast fashion" has significantly altered our relationship with clothing. Driven by low prices and often poor quality, it encourages a cycle of continuous purchasing, accelerated by changing trends that quickly make clothes feel "outdated". This shift has moved us away from a culture of investing in durable pieces to one of disposable consumption, where clothes are easily and quickly replaced. Compounding this issue, a lack of knowledge regarding garment care often leads to premature wear and tear. Finally, a decline in traditional skills like repairing and repurposing clothes means fewer opportunities to extend the lifespan of our existing wardrobes.

Recycle: A Last Resort

While recycling sounds like a great solution, the reality of textile recycling is complex. Despite the large amount of textile waste we generate; Australia lacks industry-scale infrastructure to effectively recycle. For a long time, much of our unwanted clothing has either ended up in landfill or been shipped overseas with the hope of being reused or recycled.

Even on a global scale, the capacity to truly reuse or recycle textiles is under significant stress and doesn't match the volume of waste being produced. As Edendale experienced firsthand, the global textile recycling supply chain is facing financial, environmental and social sustainability challenges. Until November 2024, Edendale was proud to host a very popular textile recycling bin through Upcycle4Better which delivered a very transparent pathway for textile reuse and recycling, providing a much-needed service for our community. However, this service had to be discontinued due financial challenges within the textile recycling supply chain.

It's also important to understand that a significant amount of the textiles shipped overseas for "reuse" or "recycling" end up in landfill in developing nations. For those nations this practice has substantial negative impacts on their environment including landfill overflow, water and soil contamination, and air pollution from burning the textiles. 

While recycling has a role to play, it should truly be considered a last resort, and our primary focus needs to be on reducing consumption, reusing, repurposing, and rethinking our relationship with clothes. Go to Nillumbik's A to Z of Recycling for more information on textile recycling options 

The good news is that we can all make a difference.

Racks to Riches: Op shop your way to style

Op shops play a vital role in our community by providing affordable clothing and household items, supporting local charities through the funds they raise, and fostering a sense of community through volunteering and shared purpose. They also address the significant issue of textile waste as op shops offer an avenue for extending the life cycle of clothes, diverting them from becoming landfill. By giving quality pre-loved textiles a second life, op shops promote a more sustainable approach to consumption and reduce the demand for new resources.

Stitch It, Don't Ditch It! Join the Repair Revolution!

Mending is not just a practical skill, but a mindful act that reduces waste and deepens our connection to the items we own. Instead of discarding clothes with minor tears, loose buttons, or faulty zips, consider the rewarding process repairing the item. By extending the life of your wardrobe, you're actively participating in a circular economy and lessening the environmental impact of textile production. Whether it's a cherished vintage piece or a well-loved everyday item, a little care and attention can often restore it to its former glory, saving you money and contributing to a more resourceful community.

To further support your repair journey, come along to the Edendale Repair Cafe which operates from Edendale on the third Saturday of each month, or the Nillumbik Repair Cafe which runs from Hurstbridge Hub on the third Saturday of the month. These Repair Cafe offers a welcoming space where skilled volunteers will be on hand to help you mend your clothes and other household items. Bring along your damaged garments and learn valuable repair techniques in a friendly and collaborative environment. It's a fantastic opportunity to gain practical skills, connect with your local community, and prevent textiles from ending up in landfill.

The Pyramid of Power!

Our journey to minimize textile waste (landfill) follows a logical pathway, starting with Rethink. Before any purchase or disposal, question your needs, habits and associated impacts; this single step has the greatest potential to reduce our environmental footprint. Following this critical first step is Reduce, actively choosing to consume less in the first place. Next, we maximize the lifespan of clothes through Reuse, finding new ways to use items for their original purpose, or extending their use. With Repurpose we creatively transform clothes, giving them a new look, purpose and life. While Recycle does play a role in minimising waste to landfill, it's important to remember the recycling is resource and energy intensive and is only one step away from landfill, so if anything goes wrong, that is where it ends up. Our ultimate goal is to make Landfill the absolute last resort, a tiny percentage of the textiles we use. This process is a continuous loop, where we constantly learn, adapt, and Rethink our practices and decisions to further minimize waste.

Here's some examples on how you can make a change:

Empowering Change: You Can Do It!

Making these changes might seem small, but together, we can create a big impact. Remember, it's not about being perfect, it's about making progress. Start with one small change, and build from there.

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