Date Received: 11-09-2025
Date Accepted: 05-11-2025
Date Published: 23-01-2026
##submissions.doi##: https://doi.org/10.31817/tckhnnvn.2026.24.1.09
Views
Downloads
How to Cite:
Clothing Disposal Behavior: A Review of Theoretical and Practical Issues
Keywords
Behavior, disposal, clothing products
Abstract
Based on an overview of theoretical and practical issues, the article contributed to explaining and developing the theoretical basis for clothing disposal behavior in the context of practical issues in the world and in Vietnam. The article had synthesized and developed five ways of clothing disposal, including: direct reuse, indirect reuse, storage, collection point for recycling, and disposal as household waste. Based on the characteristics of the apparel products, the characteristics of the individual owning the products and other reasons, consumers can consider choosing among the five above options, so that their used clothing disposal behavior might be more meaningful. The extended of the theory of planned behavior model was used to develop a theoretical model of the clothing disposal behavior.
References
Ajzen I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. 50(2): 179-211. doi: 10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T.
Anguelov N. (2020). The dirty side of the garment industry: fast fashion and its negative impact on environment and society. doi: 978-1-4987-1223-1.
Barnes L. & Lea-Greenway G. (2006). Fast fashioning the supply chain: shaping the research agenda. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management. 10(3): 259-271. doi: 10.1108/13612020610679259.
Bernardes J.P., Marques A.D. & Nogueira M. (2019). Consumer’s clothing disposal behaviour: Where do we stand? AUTEX2019 - 19th World Textile Conference on Textiles at the Crossroads. 11-15/06/2019. Ghent, Belgium.
Bhardwaj V. & Fairhurst A. (2010). Fast fashion: Response to changes in the fashion industry. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research. 20(1): 165-173. doi: 10.1080/09593960903498300.
Bianchi C. & Birtwistle G. (2010). Sell, give away, or donate: an exploratory study of fashion clothing disposal behaviour in two countries. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research. 20(3): 353-368.
Bianchi C. & Birtwistle G. (2012). Consumer clothing disposal behavior: a comparative study. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 36(3): 335-341. doi: 10.1111/j.1470-6431.2011.01011.x.
Birtwistle G. & Moore C.M. (2007). Fashion clothing - where does it all end up? International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management. 35(3): 210-216.
Brewer M.K. (2019). Slow fashion in a fast fashion world: promoting sustainability and responsibility. Laws. 8(4): 24. doi:10.3390/laws8040024.
Businesswaste (2024). Fashion waste facts and statistics. Retrieved fom https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/your-waste/ textile-recycling/fashion-waste-facts-and-statistics/ on Sep 5, 2025.
Cachon G.P. & Swinney R. (2011). The value of fast fashion: quick response, enhanced design, and strategic consumer behavior. Management Science. 57(4): 778-795.
Chan K. (1999). Market segmentation of green consumers in Hong Kong. Journal of International Consumer Marketing. 12(2): 7-24. doi: 10.1300/ J046v12n02_02.
Chen H.L. & Burns L.D. (2006). Environmental analysis of textile products. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 24(3): 248-261.
Cruz-Cardenas J. & Arevalo-Chavez P. (2017). Consumer behavior in disposal of products: forty years of research. Journal of Promotion Management. 24(1): 1-20. doi: 10.1080/ 10496491.2018.1405514.
Đặng Thị Kim Thoa (2017). Nghiên cứu các nhân tố ảnh hưởng đến sự sẵn sàng mua hàng may mặc nội địa của người tiêu dùng Việt Nam ở các thành phố. Luận án Tiến sĩ kinh tế. Trường Đại học Kinh tế quốc dân. tr. 33-34.
Degenstein L.M., McQueen R.H. & Krogman N.T. (2021). What goes where? Characterizing Edmonton’s municipal clothing waste stream and consumer clothing disposal. Journal of Cleaner Production. 296(1): 126516. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126516.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2017). A new textiles economy: redesigning fashion’s future. A full report. Retrieved from https://emf.thirdlight.com/ file/24/uiwtaHvud8YIG_uiSTauTlJH74/A%20New%20Textiles%20Economy%3A%20Redesigning%20fashion%E2%80%99s%20future.pdf on November 15, 2024.
Ekstrom K.M. & Salomonson N. (2014). Reuse and recycling of clothing and textiles - a network approach. Journal of Macromarketing. 34(3): 383-399. doi: 10.1177/0276146714529658.
EPA (2020). Advancing sustainable materials management: 2018 tables and figures. Assessing trends in materials generation and management in the United States.
Federal Trade Commission (2000). Care labelling of textile wearing apparel and certain Piece Goods. 16 C.F.R Part 423.1. Retrieved fom https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/ care-labeling-textile-wearing-apparel-certain-piece-goods-text on Jul 15, 2025.
Fenitra R.M., Handriana T., Usman I., Hartani N., Premananto G.C. & Hartini S. (2021). Sustainable clothing disposal behavior, factor influencing consumer intention toward clothing donation. Fibres and Textiles. 28(1): 7-15.
Fraj E. & Martinez E. (2006). Environmental values and lifestyles as determining factors of ecological consumer behaviour: An empirical analysis. Journal of Consumer Marketing. 23(3): 133-144. doi 10.1108/07363760610663295.
Guo W. & Kim E. (2023). Identifying factors influencing consumers’ choice of disposal channels regarding children’s clothing in China. Sustainability. 15(16): 12628. doi: 10.3390/ su151612628.
Gwozdz W., Nielsen K. S. & Muller T. (2017). An environmental perspective on clothing consumption: Consumer segments and their behavioral patterns. Sustainability. 9(5): 762. doi:10.3390/su9050762.
Ha-Brookshire J.E. & Hodges N.N. (2009). Socially responsible consumer behavior? Exploring used clothing donation behavior. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 27(3): 179-196.
Hassan S.H., Yeap J.A.L. & Al-Kumaim N.H. (2022). Sustainable fashion consumption: advocating philanthropic and economics motives in clothing disposal behaviour. Sustainability. 14(3): 1875. doi: 10.3390/su14031875.
Henzen R. & Pabian S. (2019). Increasing consumer participation in textile disposal practices: Implications derived from an extended theory of planned behaviour on four types of post-consumer textile disposal. Journal of Textile Science & Fashion Technology. 4(2): 10. doi: 10.33552/JTSFT.2019.04.000581.
Hoàng Phương Dung, Cao Hoàng Bảo Ngọc, Vũ Mai Hương, Nguyễn Thu Phương, Phan Hoàng Thanh Tâm & Nguyễn Văn Hoàng (2024). Các yếu tố ảnh hưởng đến ý định, hành vi thải loại sản phẩm thời trang có trách nhiệm với môi trường của sinh viên dựa trên lý thuyết hành vi có kế hoạch (TPB). Tạp chí Giáo dục. 24(9): 53-57.
Hole G. & Hole A.S. (2018). Recycling as the way to greener production: A mini view. Journal of Cleaner Production. 212(12): 910-915. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.080.
Jacoby J., Berning C.K. & Dietvorst T.F. (1977). What about disposition? Journal of Marketing. 41(2): 22-28. doi: 10.2307/1250630.
Jalil M.H. & Shaharuddin S.S. (2019). Consumer purchase behavior of eco-fashion clothes as trend to reduce clothing waste. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering. 8(12): 4224-4233.
Jin C. & Cui Y.H. (2019). Eco-design clothing purchase, usages and disposal: a cross-country study of China and Korea. Journal of Fashion Business. 23(3): 10-22. doi: 10.12940/ jfb.2019.23.3.10.
Joung H.M. & Park-Poaps H. (2013). Factors motivating and influencing clothing disposal behaviours. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 37(1): 105-111. doi: 10.1111/j.1470-6431.2011.01048.x.
Joung H.M. (2013). Materialism and clothing post-purchase behaviors. Journal of Consumer Marketing. 30(6): 530-537. doi: 10.1108/JCM-08-2013-0666.
Joung H.M. (2014). Fast-fashion consumers’ post-purchase behaviours. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management. 42(8): 688-697. doi: 10.1108/ijrdm-03-2013-0055.
Kim H., Choo H.J. & Yoon N. (2013). The motivational drivers of fast fashion drivers. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management. 17(2): 243-260. doi 10.1108/JFMM-10-2011-0070.
Kim H.S. & Damhorst M.L. (1998). Environmental concern and apparel consumption. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 16(3): 126-133. doi: 10.1177/0887302x9801600303.
Koch K. & Domina T. (1999). Consumer textile recycling as a means of solid waste reduction. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal. 28(1): 3-17.
Lai C.C. & Chang C.E. (2020). Clothing disposal behavior of Taiwanese consumers with respect to environmental protection and sustainability. Sustainability. 12(22): 9445. doi: 10.3390/su12229445.
Laitala K. (2014). Consumers’ clothing disposal behaviour - a synthesis of research results. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 38(5): 444-457. doi: 10.1111/ijcs.12088.
Lastovicka J.L. & Fernandez K.V. (2005). Three paths to disposition: the movement of meaningful possessions to strangers. Journal of Consumer Research. 31(4): 813-823.
Lee J.Y., Halter H., Johnson K.K.P. & Ju H. (2013). Investigating fashion disposition with young consumers. Young Consumers Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers. 14(1): 67-78. doi 10.1108/17473611311305494.
Meacham S., McAndrews L.E. & Medvedev K. (2020). The clothing consumption process of the vintage consumer and sustainable practices for mainstream consumers. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences. 112(13): 34-40.
Meyers S., Paulin G.D. & Thiel K. (2024). Consumer expenditures in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/consumer-expenditures/2023/ on July 24, 2025.
Moazzem S., Wang L., Daver F. & Crossin E. (2021). Environmental impact of discarded apparel landfilling and recycling. Resources, Conservation & Recycling. 166(2021): 105338. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105338.
Morea C. & Gambi S. (2024). Our fashion habits. A gen-Z feedback on eco-design strategy for use-phase. Fashion Highlight. 3: 80-89. doi: 10.36253/fh-2616.
Morgan L.R. & Birtwistle G. (2009). An investigation of young fashion consumers’ disposal habits. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 33(2): 190-198.
Marie Lan Nguyen Leroy & Yên Ba Vu (2022). Giảm thiểu chất thải tại Việt Nam. Truy cập từ https://hal.science/hal-04033267v1 ngày 5/9/2025.
Niinimaki K. & Hassi L. (2011). Emerging design strategy in sustainable production and consumption of textiles and clothing. Journal of Cleaner Production. 19(16): 1876-1883.
Noh M. (2021). Understanding the effect of information sources on college students’ recycling/reuse behavior towards clothing and textile products. Sustainability. 13(11): 6298. doi: 10.3390/su13116298.
Norum P.S. (2015). Trash, Charity, and Secondhand Stores: An emporical analysis of clothing disposition. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal. 44(1): 21-36.
Palacios-Mateo C., Meer Y.V.D. & Seide G. (2021). Analysis of the polyester clothing value chain to identify key intervention points for sustainability. Environmental Sciences Europe. 33(1): 2. doi: 10.1186/s12302-020-00447-x.
Patwary S., Haque M.A., Kharraz J.A., Khanzada N.K., Farid M.U. & Kumar N.M. (2022). Apparel consumer behavior and circular economy: Towards a decision - Tree framework for mindful clothing consumption. Sustainability. 15(1): 656. doi: 10.3390/ su15010656.
Shim S. (1995). Environmentalism and consumers’ clothing disposal patterns: an exploratory study. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. 13(1): 38-48. doi: 10.1177/0887302X9501300105.
Shirvanimoghaddam K., Motamed B., Ramakrishna S. & Naebe M. (2020). Death by waste: Fashion and textile circular economy case. The Science of the Total Environment. 718(22): 137317. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137317.
Sidique S.F., Lupi F. & Joshi S.V. (2010). The effects of behavior and attitudes on drop-off recycling activities. Resouces, Conservations and Recycling. 54(3): 163-170.
Soyer M. & Dittrich K. (2021). Sustainable consumer behavior in purchasing, using and disposing of clothes. Sustainability. 13(15): 8333. doi: 10.3390/su13158333.
Sun N., Liu D. & Zhang J. (2024). Exploring the factors influencing the intention to clothing and textiles recycling among Chinese college students’: a study based on TPB and VBN. Frontiers in Psychology. 14: 1328037. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1328037.
Uniform Market (2025). Global Apparel Industry Statistics: Market size and trends. Retrieved from https://www.uniformmarket.com/statistics/global-apparel-industry-statistics on July 25, 2025.
Vlastelica T., Kostic-Stankovic M., Krstic J. & Rajic T. (2023). Generation Z’s intentions towards sustainable clothing disposal: Extending the theory of planned behavior. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies. 32(3): 2345-2360.
Weber S., Lynes J. & Young S.B. (2016). Fashion interest as a driver for consumer textile waste management: reuse, recycle or disposal. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 41(2): 207-215.
Yee L.W., Hassan S.H. & Ramayal T. (2016). Sustainability and philanthropic awareness in clothing disposal behavior among young Malaysian consumers. SAGE Open. 6(1). doi: 10.1177/2158244015625327.
Zhang L., Wu T., Liu S., Jiang S., Wu H. & Yang J. (2020). Consumer’s clothing disposal behaviors in Nanjing, China. Journal of Cleaner Production. 276(2): 123184. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123184.