Clothing and textiles

Simple Ways to Make Your Wardrobe More Sustainable

Australians are among the world’s biggest consumers of clothing, buying on average 56 new items per year. Every year, more than 300,000 tonnes of clothing is sent to landfill or exported, despite most textiles being suitable for reuse or recycling. Choosing to buy less, repair, swap and shop second-hand can help reduce fashion waste and its environmental impact.

The most sustainable item of clothing is often the one you already own. Wearing your clothes for longer is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce your environmental impact. Here are 5 simple ways you can make your wardrobe more sustainable.

  1. Buy Less, Choose Well

Before purchasing something new, ask yourself if you really need it. Choosing fewer, high-quality items that suit your lifestyle can reduce waste and save money over time.

  1. Shop Second-hand

Explore op shops, vintage stores, garage sales and online marketplaces for pre-loved clothing. Buying second-hand extends the life of garments and reduces demand for new production.

Local second-hand clothing stores

Op shops:

Brunswick

  1. Save the Children, 478 Sydney Road, Brunswick
  2. Epilepsy foundation, 480 Sydney Road, Brunswick
  3. Brotherhood of St Laurence, 145 Lygon Street, Brunswick

Coburg

  1. Sacred Heart Mission in Coburg, 297-301 Sydney Road, Coburg
  2. Zikkies thrift store, 428 Sydney Road, Coburg

Fawkner

  1. Salvos Stores, 1323 Syndey Road, Fawkner

Pascoe Vale

  1. Trinos Op Shop, 150A Cumberland Rd, Pascoe Vale
  2. Dorothy Impey Home Op Shop, Shp 1/ 238 Sussex Street, Pascoe Vale

Glenroy

  1. Vinnies Glenroy, 824A Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy

Second-hand clothing stores:

Resell clothing stores:

  1. Repair and Care for Your Clothes

Fix loose buttons, mend small tears and follow the garment care instructions to help your clothes last longer. A little maintenance can significantly extend the life of your wardrobe.

Local mending and alterations:

Merri menders: the Merri menders host a mending circle twice a month at the Coburg Library, find them on Instagram

Repair cafes:

Brunswick Tool Library & Repair Café (Brunswick East)
Pascoe Vale Repair Café (Pascoe Vale)

Alterations:

  1. Swap, Share, Borrow or Hire

For special occasions consider borrowing from friends or using clothing rental services. Host a clothes swap with friends to update your wardrobe with new-to-you clothes. Clothes swaps are a great way to connect with friends, have fun and care for the planet. Sharing clothes helps reduce unnecessary purchases. Download Council’s How to host a Clothes Swap with Friends guide for everything you need to know to make your clothes swap a success!

  1. Recycle or Donate Unwanted Items

If you no longer need something, donate it to a charity, pass it on to someone else, or use a textile recycling program such as Upparel, After or Textile Recyclers Australia. Keeping clothing out of landfill helps conserve valuable resources.

More information

Find out more ways you can reduce your clothing footprint in Council’s Sustainable Clothing Guide.