Examining Practices of Apparel Use and End of Life in New Zealand

Mitali Nautiyal (), Amabel Hunting, Frances Joseph and Donna Cleveland
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Mitali Nautiyal: School of Art and Design, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Amabel Hunting: School of Art and Design, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Frances Joseph: School of Future Environments, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Donna Cleveland: School of Communication and Design, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: Throughout a garment’s life cycle, the use and end-of-life phases are crucial in determining its environmental impact, due to the resources that would be utilised and waste produced during maintenance and disposal. Consumption patterns differ among countries and cultures; however, in New Zealand, there is limited published information to date. To address this gap, an anonymous online poll was conducted examining laundry practices, lifetime wear events and disposal practices for woollen and synthetic-blend knitted jumpers, which are predominantly used as winter clothing in New Zealand. The survey revealed considerable differences in the ways woollen and synthetic garments were worn, maintained and discarded. Over its lifetime, although woollen garments were worn a greater number of times, they were washed less. At the end of life, both types of jumpers showed significant reuse percentages. This information is useful for accurately modelling the inventory needed for assessing the environmental implication of apparel, using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. By comparing New Zealand’s washing and disposal practises to those of other countries, this study found significant differences, highlighting the need for country-specific data for future LCAs.

Keywords: apparel use; LCA modelling; laundry habits; New Zealand; wool; synthetic; sustainability; consumer behaviour (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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