Problem 2: Clothing Waste Management in the Philippines

Description:
“A 2017 survey by YouGov shows that 29% of Filipinos have thrown their clothes away after
wearing them just once. That’s right—they didn’t sell or donate them, they just threw them
away. The study also reports that 42% of Filipino millennials say they bought about half of the
clothing they own in the past year.” (Esquire, 2018)

Possible Solutions:
a. Help Generate Awareness
 “The global fashion industry is most polluting industry following oil. It produces
unnecessary waste, generates water and air pollution which contributes to climate
change and underpays garment workers in order to keep costs down while
maximising profits. We believe fashion can be done not at the expense of people
and our planet.” (Fashion Revolution Philippines, 2018)
o “Sustainable fashion is gaining momentum throughout the globe and we
do not want the Philippines to fall behind our neighbours. Our aim is to
foster greater public understanding of fashion’s social and
environmental costs, to promote ethical consumerism and responsible
buying, to celebrate companies who are already on a journey in creating
a sustainable future, to shed light on the Filipino makers, producers,
farmers and artisans and to encourage Filipino brands, retailers,
distributers and manufacturers to commit to transparency in their supply
chains, human rights and environmental sustainability.” (Fashion
Revolution Philippines, 2018)

b. Clothing Donations
 Textile recycling - A small number of Fast-fashion retailers accept donations and
one can get a discount coupon in exchange.
o “The recycling of textile waste can serve as a means of providing solutions
to many economic, environmental and social issues. Though textile
recycling has old history; in recent years it has assumed prime importance
due to Fast Fashion culture in western world which has resulted in over
consumption of textiles and corresponding waste generation. Today waste
recycling has become a multibillion industry. Innovations are being made
in terms of development of sorting machines, design inputs, innovative
high value products to make recycling a profitable proposition. The paper
also highlights in brief the efforts being made by various agencies and
stake holders to achieve the aim of present 15% textile waste diversion
rate to 75% diversion.” (Chavan, 2014)

 Pass it on to the younger ones in the family or to those in need

c. Get thrift-y
 Thrift shops
 o Try buying your trendy pieces in second hand clothing in community
groups and other online marketplaces. If one is lucky, he or she can even
find quality designer items there for a steal.

References:
Fashion Revolution Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.fashionrevolution.org/asia/philippines/

Gutierrez, A. (2018, January 04). Nearly a Third of Filipinos Have Tossed Their Clothes After
Just One Use. Retrieved from https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/nearly-a-third-of-
filipinos-have-tossed-their-clothes-after-just-one-use-a00225-20180104

RB, C. (2014). Open Access Environmental Sustainability through Textile Recycling. Journal of

Textile Science & Engineering. doi:10.4172/2165-8064.S2-007