It has proposed a levy on signatory retailers,with funds raised going towards projects focused on clothing sustainability and recycling as well as education and research.
But critics including the Coalition,Kmart Group and the Australian Retailers Association argue Australia does not have the recycling infrastructure,and the levy risks being passed on to consumers during a cost-of-living crisis.
The fashion council estimates Australians buy 56 items of clothing on average a year,with 200,000 tonnes ending up in landfill.
Plibersek said it would be better for industry rather than government to lead the initiative,but she would like to see more big retail groups sign up.
Loading
“I’m not afraid to regulate,” she said.
“I think[retailers] very clearly heard the message that they’re on notice … more companies signing up to Seamless would be a really good sign that the fashion industry more broadly is taking responsibility for the quarter of a million tons of textiles that end up in landfill every year.”