CIRCULAR FASHION IN INDIA: RETHINKING APPAREL DISPOSAL FOR A SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING ECONOMY
Chandramouli. N, Dr. Nilanjana Bairagi
Keywords: Apparel disposal; Circular fashion; Consumer behavior; Extended Producer Responsibility; Recycling; Sustainable clothing economy; Textile waste
Abstract
Global textile consumption is estimated to exceed 110 million tons annually as of 2024, creating profound environmental and social challenges within the fashion supply chain. In India, a country with a rich textile heritage but also rising fast-fashion consumption, apparel disposal has become a pressing concern. This study examines clothing consumption and disposal patterns among men in Kannur, India, through an ethnographic approach involving wardrobe observations and semi-structured interviews (n=104, 100% male participants). The objective was to understand everyday practices of garment use, disposal choices, and perceptions of sustainability. The findings reveal limited awareness of circular fashion concepts, with T-shirts being the most frequently purchased and disposed of item, followed by jeans, shirts, and trousers. The findings reveal limited awareness of circular fashion concepts, with T shirts being the most frequently purchased and disposed of item (11.8 items owned, 5.77 disposed annually), followed by jeans, shirts, and trousers. Despite traditional practices of reuse and donation (52.5% donate to charities), there is no systematic post-consumer disposal channel for these key wardrobe items. The lack of accessible repair, refurbishment, and resale options from brands further restricts sustainable practices. Additionally, consumer behavior is shaped by convenience, affordability, and style preferences rather than sustainability considerations, highlighting a gap between awareness and action. To enable circular fashion, research on recycling blended materials and the creation of reverse supply chains is critical. Incentivized return systems supported by Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks could promote clothing recovery. The study concludes that embedding circularity in apparel disposal requires collaborative effort from consumers, policymakers, and industry to establish infrastructure, provide incentives, and normalize sustainable practices. By leveraging India’s traditions of reuse alongside modern recycling innovations, a sustainable clothing economy can be achieved, positioning the country as a leader in global circular fashion