International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Textile waste has emerged as a significant contributor to global municipal solid waste, largely driven by fast fashion, mass production, and low consumer retention of garments. Once disposed of, textiles often end up in landfills where they occupy valuable space, deteriorate slowly, and contribute to environmental degradation through greenhouse gas emissions, soil contamination, and microplastic release. This study explores the scale of textile waste deposition in landfills, environmental risks associated with decomposition, and limitations of current waste management systems. Through a synthesis of existing literature and secondary data, it highlights the urgent need for sustainable interventions such as recycling infrastructure, circular economy solutions, and policy frameworks that reduce textile waste generation. The findings reveal that without systemic change, the environmental footprint of textile waste will continue to expand, exacerbating landfill burdens and ecological harm.

Keywords: Waste management, Recycling, Circular economy, Sustainable textiles