Estudo sobre os hábitos de consumo e descarte de produtos de vestuário de estudantes da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná Campus Apucarana

Abstract

Knowing the socio-environmental impacts caused by the clothing industry and the problems involving consumer behavior throughout the consumption and postconsumption process, it is pertinent to understand this behavior, especially of a group of students aged between 18 and 32 years old, who have their own opinions and awareness. The objective of this research was based on the interest in knowing and analyzing the consumption and post-consumption habits of clothing products of a group of university students living in Apucarana, a city in the north of the state of Paraná, considering aspects related to purchasing motivations and the destinations of items that no longer meet their initial needs. Thus, it was necessary to apply a questionnaire to identify and analyze the consumption and post-consumption behavior of these students in order to contribute to the attempts to minimize socio-environmental impacts caused by inappropriate behavior in the consumption, consumption and postconsumption process of clothing. The research revealed that permanent disposal is the main form of destination of clothing items, with donation being the most adopted alternative, followed by sale and improper disposal in the common trash. Although a portion of students are aware of the environmental impacts of discarding clothing, this awareness does not always translate into changes in behavior. Factors such as the sentimental value attributed to the items and the influence of fashion trends still play a relevant role in disposal decisions.