Exploring Clothing Longevity

Consumption Research Norway (SIFO) at Oslo Metropolitan University has just released an exciting new publication titled "Waste Audit Interviews: A Method for Understanding the Link Between Intrinsic Quality and Apparel Lifespans". Co-authored by Kirsi Laitala and Ingun Grimstad Klepp, this study introduces a groundbreaking method to evaluate how we use our clothing, its lifespan, and ways to make it last longer. This research is especially timely as the EU is considering new regulations for clothing and textiles.

By combining data from long-standing wardrobe studies with waste audits, this method offers a cost-effective way to understand how we use our clothes and how durable they are. It uniquely links real-life wear with lab results on physical durability, making it possible to objectively assess the use phase of clothing—an area that has been tricky to evaluate until now.

The study gathers and analyses extensive data from both producers and consumers to find ways to make garments last longer. When paired with a Digital Product Passport (DPP), this process could be even more efficient. The DPP would automate the registration of product data, including materials, quality control reports, purchase prices, and repair records. Both the study and DPPs aim to improve the quality and longevity of textiles, encouraging more responsible consumption.

As the EU considers new textile regulations, these initiatives align with sustainability-focused frameworks. DPPs help brands demonstrate compliance by documenting sustainability practices, while the study provides insights for policy development. Sustainability and innovation are about empowering future generations to tackle current challenges. Circular and modular design will simplify clothing redesign and recycling, with DPPs enhancing resale opportunities and supporting ongoing research like "Waste Audit Interviews."

Read more about the study by clicking here.