Hong Kong’s clothing waste crisis: Redress report uncovers urgent need and opportunity for circular solutions
A new report by sustainability NGO Redress, supported by The VF Foundation, sheds light on the scale and complexity of Hong Kong’s mounting clothing waste issue, while mapping a path forward through circular innovation and collaboration. In 2023 alone, 402 tonnes of textiles were landfilled in the city each day, with a significant proportion believed to be discarded clothing.
Despite global advancements in textile recovery, Hong Kong’s progress remains slow. The report, titled Material Recovery Solutions for Hong Kong’s Non-Wearable Clothing Waste, identifies three critical barriers: a lack of detailed data on clothing waste composition, insufficient recycling infrastructure, and low industry and consumer engagement. A pilot study by Redress, through its Takeback Programme, found that 15% to 37% of non-wearable garments still have potential for reconstruction or fibre-to-fibre recycling, signaling a major untapped opportunity for value recovery.
The report urges the city to adopt multi-pronged solutions, including investment in advanced sorting technologies, the creation of remanufacturing pipelines, and the rollout of public education initiatives that promote circular fashion thinking. It also calls on fashion brands, policymakers, and designers to take concrete action, from building ecosystem-wide collaborations to redesigning products for recyclability and implementing supportive government incentives.
Ultimately, the report positions Hong Kong not only as a region facing urgent textile waste challenges but also as one with the potential to lead Asia’s circular fashion transformation, provided stakeholders act with speed, commitment, and shared purpose.
