Beware! This impulsive Aussie trend is causing heartache—see the shocking roadside photos!

As Australians, we pride ourselves on our beautiful landscapes and community spirit. However, a concerning trend is casting shadows over our streets and neighbourhoods. The sad sight of clothes and household items discarded on the roadside is becoming all too common, highlighting a trend fueled by impulsive decisions and a throwaway culture.

Recent research has revealed that clothing is the number one item being tossed aside, with a surge in Aussie households clearing out their wardrobes. Councils and secondhand stores are struggling to keep up with the influx, and the aftermath of Black Friday sales is only expected to exacerbate the issue.


Jordana Thirlwall, a storage and home expert, spoke to Yahoo News about the troubling trend. 'The rise of fast fashion combined with seasonal trends and limited storage space tends to lead to this type of frequent wardrobe overhaul,' she explained. As the founder of Super Easy Storage, which commissioned the research, Thirlwall expressed little surprise that 36 per cent of Aussies are discarding their clothes.


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Clothes are being discarded in increasing numbers by Australian households, with councils and secondhand stores needing help to cope. Credit: Unsplash


The Black Friday sales present a difficult decision for Australians. On one hand, securing items at a lower price point is tempting, especially during cost-of-living pressures. On the other hand, sustainability suffers as a result. Thirlwall urges shoppers to approach sales with a plan. 'It's about being prepared and doing your research. I encourage people to 'spring clean' before all these big end-of-year sales so you know what you need and don't need and can make a conscious decision,' she advised.


New South Wales and Victoria have been identified as the most guilty of this behaviour. Danny Gorog, CEO of Snap Send Solve, told Yahoo News that they have received over 1,300 reports of illegally dumping clothing and household items this year alone. 'Dumping rubbish next to a charity bin strains charity resources—diverting time and funds from their mission—and harms the environment as damaged goods often end up in landfills,' Gorog highlighted.

The images of overflowing bags and discarded garments on our streets starkly remind us of the tension between consumerism and sustainability. It seems to be an ongoing battle, with the environment and charitable organizations bearing the brunt of our impulsive shopping habits.

As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we have the power to make a difference. We can lead by example, showing younger generations the value of mindful consumption and the joy of giving items a second life. Whether donating to charity shops, selling items online, or organising a community swap meet, there are many ways to extend the life of our belongings and reduce waste.


Key Takeaways

  • The number of Australian households discarding clothes has surged, with councils and secondhand stores struggling to cope.
  • Clothes are the most discarded item, with the rise of fast fashion and Black Friday sales exacerbating the issue.
  • Experts call for a balance between consumerism and sustainability, urging Aussies to shop with a plan.
  • NSW and Victoria have the highest reports of illegal dumping of clothing and household items, putting a strain on charity resources and impacting the environment.
We encourage our readers to think twice before discarding items and to consider the impact on our environment and community. Have you witnessed this sad trend in your area? What are your thoughts on managing impulse buying and promoting sustainability? Share your stories and tips with us in the comments below. Let's work together to keep Australia beautiful for future generations to enjoy.
 
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There used to be some large charity "bins' at some shopping centres. Some inconsiderate people used them as rubbish bins and put some very smelly stuff in them. A friend of ours rescued a kitten from in one. He could hear it "crying" (he nearly fell in the bin rescuing it - on a long weekend in hot weather). Many times I have seen large items left next to those bins, some of them appeared to be brand new - still had shop tags on them. I think all the charities have removed them as they were getting so much rubbish they were actually paying to dump some of it.
 
Everything we donate to charity has been throughly washed and inspected as to its condition. I have a rule that if I wouldn’t buy it, don’t expect anyone else to. I am guilty of buying to many clothes which I’m trying to change but I just can’t go past a bargain lol.
 
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If people stopped buying cheap rubbishy fast fashion made in China from sites like Temu and Shien, there wouldn't be this problem. Just buy only some good quality clothes made in Australia, and they'll last for years and you won't have to throw them out every "season".
 
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If people stopped buying cheap rubbishy fast fashion made in China from sites like Temu and Shien, there wouldn't be this problem. Just buy only some good quality clothes made in Australia, and they'll last for years and you won't have to throw them out every "season".
And who has the dollars up front to pay $200+ for an Australian made jumper etc?
Give me Temu anyday, as many of the other members here will attest to.
 
If people stopped buying cheap rubbishy fast fashion made in China from sites like Temu and Shien, there wouldn't be this problem. Just buy only some good quality clothes made in Australia, and they'll last for years and you won't have to throw them out every "season".
Where do you buy Australian made clothes pray tell ☹️
 
There are many “Australian made” clothing companies. These are just three that I copied the links from Google.

There are also little “hidden gem” boutiques that stock Australian made clothing.

I don’t buy a lot of clothes anymore. But I’ve found from my experience, the really cheap clothes don’t last; more like disposable clothing. Seems a waste to me. If I spend more than I think I should, I tend to look after the items better. Having said that, I do buy some cheap things like T-shirts and shorts for around the house.



 
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Where do you buy Australian made clothes pray tell ☹️
Fella Hamilton is one compay, and there is a website called Australian Made Clothes, and in many places there are small individual boutiques that make and sell the clothes they stock. If you are buying the cheap junk from sites like TEMU you are not only contributing to the landfill problem, but indirectly condoning the deplorable workplace practices in the Chinese factories from whence those inferior clothes have come, but also to the demise of Australian manufacturing.
 
Let's face facts, i.e. more than likely about 80 % of clothing etc., left at op shops is no more than sheer garbage & should be disposed of in the correct manner. Not to be double handled by the sorting staff at those shops for them to dispose of same.

Saying that, I have a few pairs of quality shorts, washed & ironed waiting to go to the op shop virtually across the road where we live. Yes, they are in really good, top order, just a tad small for me.
 
Most of the prices of the Australian made goods is so far out of my budget, $200 for a flimsy, ugly shift dress etc.
Give me Temu's modern looking gear with it's bright cheery colours anyday.
Iv'e been shopping with them for well over a year and the things I brought right at the beginning are still going strong!
 
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Most of the prices of the Australian made goods is so far out of my budget, $200 for a flimsy, ugly shift dress etc.
Give me Temu's modern looking gear with it's bright cheery colours anyday.
Iv'e been shopping with them for well over a year and the things I brought right at the beginning are still going strong!
Yeah I’ve seen those clothes mentioned on here before and there drab and boring and overpriced, and yes Temu is far better, and I can’t complain about the quality of the clothes as the tshirts I’ve got are really well made.🙂
 
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There are many “Australian made” clothing companies. These are just three that I copied the links from Google.

There are also little “hidden gem” boutiques that stock Australian made clothing.

I don’t buy a lot of clothes anymore. But I’ve found from my experience, the really cheap clothes don’t last; more like disposable clothing. Seems a waste to me. If I spend more than I think I should, I tend to look after the items better. Having said that, I do buy some cheap things like T-shirts and shorts for around the house.



A lot or those Fella Hamilton clothes remind me of clothes worn in an operating theatre, there awful.☹️
 
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A lot or those Fella Hamilton clothes remind me of clothes worn in an operating theatre, there awful.☹️
You asked, “Where do you buy Australian made clothes pray tell ☹️.” (Post #7) It’s simply a matter of looking online and I copied the links to some of the websites. There are many more. I never suggested that they were nice or cheap. I provided the answer to your question. Stop complaining.

If you don’t like Australian made clothing, keep buying the cheap sh*t from China. Keep the Chinese economy alive. 🙄
 
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Doesn’t look like operating theatre attire to me.
That’s an ugly jacket not a dress and looks like something you’d wear on an alien spaceship, and if you look online at the clothes the dresses do look like theatre attire. Anyway enough nonsense each to their own, were just having a say just like we’re entitled to like you so have a nice day guys.🙂
 
You asked, “Where do you buy Australian made clothes pray tell ☹️.” (Post #7) It’s simply a matter of looking online and I copied the links to some of the websites. There are many more. I never suggested that they were nice or cheap. I provided the answer to your question. Stop complaining.

If you don’t like Australian made clothing, keep buying the cheap sh*t from China. Keep the Chinese economy alive. 🙄
Okay so you and Neale don’t have Chinese made clothing in your wardrobe it’s all Australian made is it Debra.?and your kids and their kids all wear Aussie made clothes do they. ?🙂
 
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Okay so you and Neale don’t have Chinese made clothing in your wardrobe it’s all Australian made is it Debra.?and your kids and their kids all wear Aussie made clothes do they. ?🙂
Most of my clothes are made in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Malaysia.

None of which pose a threat to national security like China....
 
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