The Effective Reuse and Recycling of Young Children’s Clothing

A Study of Mothers Whose Children Attend Kindergarten or Nursery School in Otsu City

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to clarify the awareness and current situation of mothers regarding the sustainable disposal of children’s clothing. Questionnaires were sent to mothers whose children went to kindergartens or nursery schools in Otsu City. Questionnaire responses were analyzed using statistical testing and factor analysis. The main results were: 1) The most common way for mothers to reuse and recycle used clothing was to give them to their relatives and friends. 2) Mothers were not particularly concerned about whether the clothes their young children wore were new or used. A commonly held belief was that public places, such as schools, should be provided for clothing exchanges.