In recent years, awareness of sustainable fashion has been on the rise among Hong Kong consumers, thanks in part to initiatives such as the collaboration between UNIQLO and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Fashion and Textiles. A 2023 survey indicated that 71% of consumers are now familiar with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), marking a significant growth in awareness. Many consumers prioritize factors like product durability, quality, and environmental impact when making fashion purchases. Corporate sustainability efforts, such as the use of eco-friendly materials and pollution reduction, have become key considerations for 60-70% of respondents in their purchasing decisions.
However, despite this growing consciousness, a notable gap remains between consumer attitudes and actual recycling behavior. In 2022, only 11% of textile waste in Hong Kong was recycled. To address this, the Hong Kong government proposed the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Charging Scheme, intended for implementation in August 2024, to incentivize waste reduction and recycling. Unfortunately, public support was insufficient, leading to a delay in its rollout.
This year’s survey aims to further investigate consumer recycling behavior in the context of sustainable fashion. While previous research highlights increasing consumer awareness of fashion’s environmental impact, actual recycling practices remain underdeveloped. The goal of this survey is to uncover the barriers contributing to this discrepancy, including concerns about product quality, convenience, and skepticism towards corporate sustainability claims. By examining consumer engagement with recycling initiatives, this research seeks to offer actionable insights to brands and policymakers, ultimately improving recycling infrastructure and fostering more sustainable consumption practices.
Project sponsored by UNIQLO, operated by School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
