Seamless Clothing Stewardship Scheme

The Global Scan Report & Clothing Data Report revealed Australians buy on average, 56 items of clothing a year and manufacture & import over 1.4 billion units of new clothing every year, mostly made from non-sustainable, non-durable materials. 200,000 tonnes of clothing goes to landfill each year & we have no systematic resources to collect unwearable clothing.

Seamless aims to create a circular clothing industry by 2030, where responsible stewardship and citizenship are embedded across the entire clothing lifecycle. A recommended 4c/ per garment levy will create programs to incentivise clothing design that is more durable and recyclable, foster new circular business models, close the material loop & expand clothing collection, sorting and recycling.
Download the Full Report here.

In 2021, clothing textiles were placed on the Federal Minister’s Priority List for Product Stewardship, with industry required to take action to reduce clothing sent to landfill. In 2023, the Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP launched Seamless, and issued a clear directive that the scheme would be mandated if not taken up by enough businesses, “I want to see industry leadership… But if I don't see enough movement in a year, then I will regulate.”

The first Seamless Foundation Members are BIG W, Cotton On, David Jones, Lorna Jane, Rip Curl, R.M. Williams, Sussan Group and THE ICONIC. Each organisation will play an important part in the 12-month transition phase while Seamless is established.

Seamless aims to have 60% of industry sign up in order to divert 120,000 tonnes of end-of-life clothing from landfill by 2027.

Seamless is currently in a transition phase in order to establish its governance and operations. Between 1 December 2023 and 1 July 2024 the new organisation will focus on finalising the Seamless business plan, which includes key components such as the funding levy and recruiting members. Please see the FAQs on the Seamless website for more information.