Unraveling Fashion’s Waste Problem: What’s Pre-Consumer vs. Post-Consumer Waste?

The fashion industry has a waste problem — and it’s bigger than most of us realize. From the moment a design is sketched to the day you decide to part with a well-loved t-shirt, waste is generated at every stage of the process. But not all waste is created equal.

When we talk about waste in fashion, two key categories come up: pre-consumer waste and post-consumer waste. Understanding the difference between these two can help us grasp the scale of the problem and, more importantly, how we can be part of the solution.

What is Pre-Consumer Waste?

Pre-consumer waste happens before a garment ever reaches you. It’s the off-cuts, fabric scraps, rejected samples, and unsold stock left behind in the production process. If you’ve ever seen fabric pieces lying on a factory floor, that’s pre-consumer waste in action.

Here’s the reality in numbers:

• Up to 35% of fabric is wasted during the cutting stage of garment production.
• Globally, the fashion industry produces around 92 million tonnes of textile waste every year, and a significant portion of this happens before clothes even hit store shelves.

In countries like Cambodia, where much of the world’s clothing is made, pre-consumer waste is a daily reality. Factories generate fabric scraps and rejected items, which are often sent to landfills or informally resold in local markets. While some of this "deadstock" fabric finds a second life, much of it doesn’t.

Why is Pre-Consumer Waste a Problem?

• Resource Inefficiency: All the water, energy, and raw materials used to create that fabric are wasted.
• Carbon Emissions: Textile production accounts for over 10% of global CO2 emissions, and wasted fabric compounds this impact.
• Landfill Overflow: Without proper reuse or recycling, fabric off-cuts pile up in landfills, contributing to pollution.

What’s the Solution?

• Better Design: Zero-waste pattern cutting and modular design techniques can minimize off-cuts.
• Factory Efficiency: Upgrading technology to reduce cutting waste and incentivizing brands to order more precisely.
• Recycling: Some countries, like Vietnam, are testing textile-to-textile recycling systems, but the infrastructure is still developing.

What is Post-Consumer Waste?

Post-consumer waste is what happens after you’re done with a garment. It’s the clothes you donate, discard, or throw away. Unlike pre-consumer waste, this stage is driven by consumers—all of us.

Some eye-opening stats:

• On average, 57% of clothes are discarded within one year of purchase.
• Less than 1% of textiles are recycled back into new clothing.
• Globally, 87% of textiles end up in landfills or incinerated after use.

Cambodia, like many developing nations, receives enormous volumes of second-hand clothes from wealthier countries. While this creates opportunities for affordable second-hand shopping, it’s also a form of waste dumping. Local recycling infrastructure is limited, and most post-consumer waste ends up in landfills.

Why is Post-Consumer Waste a Problem?

• Overproduction Meets Overconsumption: Fast fashion trends push people to buy more, discard faster, and repeat.
• Lack of Recycling Systems: Less than 1% of used clothing is recycled into new garments, with most recycled textiles being "downcycled" into insulation or rags.
• Landfill Crisis: Textiles in landfills take decades to break down, releasing harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases as they decompose.

What’s the Solution?

• Buy Less, Buy Better: Prioritize quality over quantity and choose versatile, long-lasting pieces.
• Resale & Reuse: Second-hand shops, thrift stores, and clothing swaps are great options to extend the life of garments.
• Textile Recycling: While it’s still in early stages, some companies and countries are exploring textile-to-textile recycling, but there’s a long way to go.

Which is the Bigger Problem: Pre-Consumer or Post-Consumer Waste?

It depends on where you’re looking. In countries like Cambodia, where the production of garments drives the local economy, pre-consumer waste is the larger issue. Thousands of tonnes of fabric scraps are generated daily, and only a fraction is reused. Informal markets for deadstock fabric help, but it’s not a scalable solution.

In countries like Bangladesh and India, where fast fashion production and local consumption are both high, both forms of waste are significant. Countries like Vietnam and China are making strides in recycling infrastructure, but progress is slow.

Globally, post-consumer waste is gaining more attention due to its visibility. People see clothing waste piling up in thrift stores or hear about overflowing landfills. However, pre-consumer waste is less visible but just as critical. Every fabric scrap tossed on a factory floor represents wasted resources, carbon emissions, and lost potential for circularity.

What Can We Do About It?

At Dorsu, we believe that tackling waste at both ends—production and consumption—is essential. Here’s how you can join us:

• Ask About Deadstock: Support brands that make use of pre-consumer waste, like "deadstock" fabric. All of our pieces are crafted from this very material.
• Choose Longevity: Buy clothes designed to last. Prioritize timeless designs and high-quality fabrics.
• Extend the Life of Your Clothes: Repair, reuse, and donate clothes mindfully. Find second-hand shops or clothing swaps in your community.

Waste is woven into every stage of fashion—but it doesn’t have to be. By being aware of both pre-consumer and post-consumer waste, we can all play a part in a more sustainable, circular fashion future.

Want to see how Dorsu tackles waste? Check out our collections made from reclaimed fabrics, designed to last and loved for the long haul.