3 Ways to Responsibly Dispose of Your Clothing in Malaysia

Photo: LUZ ZUNIGA/ STUFF from 'Nelsonians join the Fashion Revolution with a clothes swap and bin fast fashion'

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​KonMari-ing your wardrobe?  STOP!  Read this first.  It's time to re-think before you de-clutter..

​1131 words; 5 mins reading time. 

​Hello, chickens!

It’s been a while since I’ve written here, but that’s because I’ve been focusing on delivering high-level, juicy, and more interactive content down at the ‘olde Insta platform. And if there’s one place I’d love for you to hang around at, I would totally be OK with you keeping up with FASHINFIDELITY happenings there!

As you may well be aware, we are focusing on all things secondhand fashion this month!  You might also already know that I am a proper 1980’s child of the hand-me-down Malaysian culture, and, as a result, am now a true-blue Aussie thrift shop fan as an adult.  My proudest moments of joy usually come from putting together an outfit at the op-shop for less than $20. 
It seems that wearing secondhand had become a bit taboo since I left high school at the turn of the millennium, but it could be that they’ve started to be cool again.  Thanks to our Gen Zs who are super conscious of their purchasing habits, the creativity they are exposed to on digital platforms, and the influence of sustainability practitioners they adore, wearing other people’s clothes is no longer considered yuck!

In February, we have a series of posts with our favourite not-for-profit, Kloth Lifestyle, who are at the forefront of mindful consumption advocacy with their campaign to #keepfabricsoutlandfill, giving clothes a second chance.  We’ve so far uncovered some (shocking!) stats on Malaysian's clothing consumption habits, and created some fun reels for you to enjoy as we normalise secondhand wear, once more.
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Did you know that 27% of Malaysians have thrown away clothing after wearing it just once?  Wearing a garment for just 9 months longer reduces 20% of its footprint.  It's time we rethink the way we consume and dispose of our clothes… so read on.

The Buyerarchy of Needs

I’m sure most of us are familiar with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which examines the motivation behind human behaviour and choices.  According to Maslow’s hierarchy, humans must fulfil basic needs in a specific order to achieve self-actualisation (top-level need).  Sarah Lazarovic, a Canadian artist and visual journalist, has reimagined Maslow’s hierarchy to bring a fresh take on consumption (pictured above).  Her hierarchy, the Buyerarchy of Needs, indicates that human beings should start at the base (of using what they have) to fulfil their needs.  In the hierarchy, buying is the lowest level or final means of obtaining what you need, after you exhaust the other options.

Of course, ‘Borrow’, ‘Swap’, ‘Thrift’ - all pretty much sums of consuming secondhand clothes, which are the next tiers of the buyerarchy of needs.  Instead of chasing the latest must-have brands and designs, consumers are now pricing in the environmental footprint of their clothing.  Many are buying preloved items helps to:

• Extend the lifespan of products
• Reduce unsustainable new production
• Divert waste from landfills.​

Nowadays, buying or renting vintage and secondhand clothing is not only an ethical and sustainable choice, but also a style statement that allows you to draw on more resources and inspirations to escape from the anonymity and monotony of mass-produced fashion.  Who’s afraid of secondhand fashion?? (Not me!!)

For those who are in love with their clothes as much as I am, I dare you to show us some of that love this Valentine’s Day by posting beautiful pics of you and your lovers.  Why not?  Outfit appreciation happens every day!  And if they’re secondhand, bonus points to you!

Fashion Revolution fanzine #002 LOVED CLOTHES LAST

Questions to ask *before* donating your clothes

Unfortunately though, I understand some of you will fall out of love with your clothes at several crossroads in your life, and so we’ve put together a reel (watch it here) to summarise what steps you can take to retire your loved ones responsibly.  It could be they no longer fit, are 'out of style' or have already seen their share of wear and tear.

If you are in the midst of KonMari-ing your wardrobe, then here us out.  Before packing your clothes and sending them off to a charity shop or recycling centre, ask yourself a few questions first. 

Let’s give some thought to how we could reuse and repurpose some of these pieces and save them from a landfilled end, such as:

• Can I upcycle or repurpose this piece into something I’d wear or use?
• If it’s torn or missing a button, can I try mending it?
• Would someone I know love this item?
• Can I still wear this piece, but restyle it another way?
• Can I swap this item with another person?
• Can I sell this item to a consignment store or app?

What we’re trying to do here is keep those items in still good condition, local.  It’s super important to keep these clothes, shoes, and accessories, and textiles in circulation within the local and regional context, instead of forcing their fate to be shipped off-shore, or worst yet, landfilled before finding another ‘forever’ home or use.

3 Ways to Responsibly Dispose of Your Clothing in Malaysia

But of course, how does one actually dispose of their (much-loved), but out-of-love fashion items in a responsible way.  Well, guess what?  We’ve compiled just the guide for you!  (Applicable to Malaysians only, but hey – if you need us to research some other geographical region for you, please just get in touch.)

Herewith are our 3 ways to responsibly dispose of your clothing in Malaysia:

1. Organise a clothing swap with your friends, colleagues or relatives.
Find resources on clothes swaps below:

The Swap Project 
https://www.facebook.com/theswapproject/

Style Swap Malaysia
https://www.facebook.com/groups/251041125428607/

Beli Nothing Project (Facebook group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/893062110869381/

2. Donate to charity or sell at a consignment store. 
Locations below:

DONATE:

Bargain Basement
IOI Mall
IOI City Mall

Kedai BLESS 
https://www.kedaibless.com/content.php?page=outlet
Midvalley Megamall
Ara Jaya (D'aman Crimson)
Citta Mall
Bless Shop @ Sunway Mall Commercial Center (SMCC)

The Salvation Army
https://www.salvationarmy.org/malaysia/redshieldindustries
Different locations throughout Malaysia 

Fashion-Karma 
https://fashionkarma.com.my/​ 
Subang SS15

Women’s Centre for Change
https://www.wccpenang.org/contact/
Penang

The Lighthouse Thrift House
https://www.facebook.com/The-Lighthouse-155309407857742/
Penang

Pusat Amal QC
Malacca City
Menara Shaftsbury, Putrajaya

Damansara Perdana Orang Asli Community
Contact: Cikgu Azie 0172712143

Sungai Buluh Orang Asli Community
Contact: Kak Hanem 0132299307

SELL:

Refash
https://refash.my/pages/how-to-sell
Sungei Wang Plaza

Carousell
https://www.carousell.com.my/

Car Boot Sales Kota Damansara
https://www.facebook.com/CBSKotaDamansara/ 

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3. Drop items off at a Waste Collection/Recycling Bin 

I-Cycle bin - locations
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Kloth care bin - locations 

Community Recycle for Charity (CRC) - locations (1) and locations (2)

Aaaaand… there you have it!  Can you think of any other locations or organisations that should be added to this list?  Let me know at wardrobetruths {a} gmaildotcom.

Later on this month we have lined up a roundtable discussion on the topic of secondhand fashion, with an array of interesting perspectives delivered by a selection of really awesome changemakers in this space.  Stay tuned for that, it will be a rad night! 

Don’t forget to please give us a shout out and promote us to your family and friends if you like our work.  We hear and take in all of your feedback, always. 

Until the next post, thanks for your support!  Love ya.

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Join us in our Slow Fashion movement with the hashtags #ConscientiousFashionista and #wardrobetruths on Instagram, and follow us at @fashinfidelity. 
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Tags: #secondhandfashion #secondhand #handmedown #thriftedfashion #buyerarchy #textilewaste #malaysia #malaysianfashion #wastedisposal #klothlifestyle #conscientiousfashionista #fastfashion #slowfashion #wardrobetruths #fashioneducation #fashinfidelity