Appendix 1
Key data points
1. The problem of fast fashion and the disposable fashion model
Over-consumption
of Gen Z have at least one item in their closet that they’ve never worn
of Baby Boomers do, showing a growing generational trend in buying surplus clothing.
of Gen Z have not worn an item again after their friends have seen them in it or they’ve posted a picture of themselves in it online. Compared to:
of Gen X
of Baby Boomers.
Waste
Americans throw away an average of three garments of wearable clothing each month.
Young people throw away more than any other generation:
of Gen Z throw away at least one item of wearable clothing each month
of Millennials
of Gen x
of Baby Boomers.
Mental Health
of US consumers are ‘disgusted’ by the environmental impact of fast fashion, rising to
of Gen Z, who are the most likely to over-consume fast fashion.
of Americans agree the pressure from the fast fashion industry harms their mental health, rising to
of Gen Z.
Economy
Americans want the negative impacts of fast fashion to be curbed
would be prepared to avoid buying fast fashion to help the environment.
want more public education about the negative impacts of the fast fashion industry.
see the SHC sector as key to reducing the impact of fast fashion on the environment.
want the government to do more to prevent the growth of the fast fashion industry.
2. The secondhand clothes sector is a critical part of the solution
Environmental benefits
SHC purchases in the US are high and growing
Support for clothing donation
Support for the SHC market
of Americans believe the secondhand clothing market helps to reduce the global carbon footprint.
believe the government and political leaders should support the secondhand clothing sector.
believe investing in SHC is key to a sustainable future.
view the SHC market as crucial for the US economy.
agree on the need for more government investment to support the SHC industry’s growth.
Jobs and economic growth
Exports to the Americas
Expanding the SHC market abroad
