Awareness of the Environmental Impact of Clothing Production and Consumption among Slovenian Female Customers

Abstract

The textile industry, where clothing industry accounts for an important share, is one of the most polluting industries in the world. As a result, clothing consumption has a significant impact on the environment. The consumption of clothing has been increasing rapidly in line with growth in the middle classes in developing nations and the fast-fashion business model. At the same time, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability, and have been changing their behaviour accordingly. In this study, we focused our attention on awareness of the environmental impact of clothing production and consumption from the point of view of consumer knowledge, as it relates to different generations, marital statuses, living environments, household income and type of purchasing store. The study reveals a high-level of consumer-evaluated knowledge regarding the effects of clothing production and consumption, as well as the purchasing preference in fast-fashion stores.