TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Fast fashion dominates the industry, and its quick production and low prices prompt people to buy more clothes. However, the convenience of purchasing also increases the likelihood of discarding clothes.
Reports indicate that individuals in Taiwan between the ages of 20 and 45 own an average of 75 clothing items, with 15 being rarely worn. Moreover, this same group discards approximately 5.2 million pieces of clothing every year, equivalent to 9.9 garments being thrown into landfills or recycling centers every minute.
The composition of many clothes includes polyester fibers, which are not biodegradable and significantly impact the environment.
According to a clothes recycling yard owner, only 30 percent of used clothes are sent abroad to be worn again, while another 40 percent are downgraded for use in products such as carpets. The remaining 30 percent is used to create renewable fuels.
To recycle secondhand clothing, some companies donate them to public welfare groups or repurpose them as pet wear. Additionally, some companies offer incentives to customers who turn in their used clothing to raise awareness of the issue.
With increasing environmental awareness, the fast fashion industry's impact on the environment requires immediate action to mitigate the damage caused by clothing waste.
