| Abstract [eng] |
Textile industry is one of the most polluting industries (ETC/WMGE, 2019), causing negative effects mainly thru wastewater discharges. Textile effluents contain different contaminants, including heavy metals, inorganic salts and organic pollutants, which cause negative environmental and health effects (Khan et al 2023). Next to the water pollution, soil, air pollution together with biodiversity loss and climate change issues are also attributed to the textile and clothing industry. Another aspect is dependence on resources and waste generation. Textile industry is the third largest user of freshwater globally (Haque et al 2021) and one of the biggest consumers of other resources (ETC/WMGE, 2019). Furthermore, more than two thirds of the textile end up in landfills and only some 15% is recycled (Shirvanimoghaddam et al 2020). Hence, sustainability and circular economy principles are those to be addressed in the textile industries. Not of the least importance is the role of final consumers. They are considered to be one of the main drivers by increasing demand for eco-friendly goods and making pressure for governments (Jia et al 2020). In addition, during the use phase of textile products (clothing), particularly thru shared, longer use, reuse and proper textile waste sorting they can contribute to the overall circularity (ETC/WMGE, 2019). For e.g., if lifespan of the garment is doubled, the greenhouse gas emissions of the textiles industry could be reduced by 44% (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017). Therefore, this study aims to analyse attitudes and behaviour regarding purchase and handling of clothing, as well as factors behind in Lithuanian case. |
