Sustainable textile waste management practices among consumers: Implications of textile knowledge and environmental concerns

Abstract

Textile products are an indispensable part of our life. Our ever-growing demand for clothing and other textiles has resulted in an exorbitant increase in production, leading to the overuse of natural resources, pollutant emissions, and environmental degradation. This alarming situation can be controlled by adopting sustainable waste management practices such as reuse and recycling. A circular economy in the textile industry promotes repair, regeneration, and reuse of used products. However, the attitude toward sustainable waste management can be influenced by many factors. The study investigates whether the consumers' sustainable waste management practice is influenced by knowledge of textiles, environmental concerns, and product preferences. A survey questionnaire was used to collect the data randomly from 328 consumers in different cities of India. The consumers were reached online and requested to volunteer to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire results are analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the simultaneous associations between the variables used in this study. The study results indicate that consumers' environmental concerns significantly influence their sustainable waste management practice when mediated by product preferences. The study's findings could benefit the policymakers to improve consumers' knowledge in various aspects such as textile, environmental concerns, and waste management.