Australia Institute research, released more than a year ago, recommends Australia follow the French lead and do the same.
In May 2024, The Australia Institute's Textile Waste report revealed that Australian shoppers contribute to fast fashion waste more than any others on earth, surpassing Americans as the biggest textile consumers, per capita, on the planet.
Fast fashion has grown exponentially in recent years, with the exploding influence of Chinese brands Temu and Shein. Both sell huge quantities of cheap, quickly made, quickly shipped garments all around the world. They're manufactured using high volumes of polyester, a fossil fuel-derived fabric that is plastic.
Many end up in landfill within 12 months of purchase.
"As one of the world's biggest consumers of clothes, shoes and bags, Australia should have acted sooner to reduce the mountains of textile waste in this country," said Nina Gbor, Circular Economy & Waste Program Director at The Australia Institute.
"To protect the environment and Australian fashion brands, we need to drastically reduce waste at the source by penalising brands that mass produce incredibly cheap, low-quality clothing that is often worn just a handful of times before ending up in the bin.
"France has introduced laws which will tax fast fashion garments 5 Euros (approx. $9) each, which will double by 2030.
"The Australia Institute recommended a similar scheme for Australia more than a year ago.
"We should now implement a tax that's big enough to change people's shopping behaviour. The revenue raised could be invested in incentives which support Australia's nascent textiles industry and a circular economy by encouraging consumers to reuse, repair and recycle clothing."
