A public policy think tank is calling for a tax on shirts and pants as Australia becomes the biggest consumer of clothing in the world. Subscribe now for unlimited access . $ 0 / (min cost $ 0 ) Login or signup to continue reading Continue with Email Continue with Google Continue with Apple See subscription options The Australia Institute has warned that Australia's shopping addiction is fueling a fast fashion waste crisis as unwanted clothing ends up in landfill.
New research from the Institute has found the average Australian buys 56 new clothing items a year, overtaking the US as the biggest consumer of fashion per capita. The rise of cheap fashion brands such as Shein and Temu means Australians are paying just $13 on average for a piece of clothing. Australians pressured to buy more clothes Material Pleasures manager, Olanka Fombertaux, doing her part for future sustainability.
Picture by Gary Ramage Rebekah Griffiths, owner of Material Pleasures in Fyshwick, says that Australians should buy good quality and not follow the fashion trends. "Buy something and develop your style, we can help, you can get advice online, but develop your own sense of style and you won't feel the desire to throw it away," Ms Griffiths said. Material Pleasures, a second hand and consignment store, has hundreds of customers coming in each week.
"We've got third-generation families; grandma, mum, kids, sometimes even grandkids that come in," Ms Griffiths said. Canberran Rae Knopik, who runs sustai.