Unraveling Cloth Recycling Trends: A Consumer Behavior Perspective Using Scopus AI

This paper presents a data-driven systematic review of global cloth recycling trends through the lens of consumer behaviour, utilising Scopus AI to synthesise cross-disciplinary literature. While the fashion industry generates 92 million tons of textile waste annually, only 15% to 20% is currently collected for recycling, highlighting a critical need for circular interventions. The study identifies four interconnected pillars: the environmental pillar, which shows that while recycling significantly reduces resource depletion, its benefits depend on high material substitution rates; the industrial pillar, which tracks the transition from traditional upcycling to modern chemical recycling standards; the technological and economic pillar, examining how AI-enabled sorting improves fiber identification accuracy despite high capital costs and the lack of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks; and the human pillar, which reveals a significant "attitude-behaviour gap". By integrating these findings into the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the research develops a conceptual framework where technological innovation and policy instruments act as primary drivers for a consumer's perceived behavioural control. The results suggest that bridging the gap between environmental awareness and actual participation requires shifting recycling from a high-effort task to a convenient "default" choice through automated infrastructure and stable policy incentives. This review offers essential insights for stakeholders aiming to enhance cloth circularity by aligning macro-level industrial advancements with micro-level consumer psychology.