IELTS Writing Task 2 – Band 8.0 Sample

The rise of fast fashion has produced mountains of discarded clothing, much of which ends up in landfill. I strongly agree that clothing companies should be legally required to pay for collecting and recycling the garments they sell.

The first reason is that the polluter should pay. Fashion brands earn huge profits by encouraging consumers to buy cheap clothes and replace them frequently, yet the cost of disposing of this waste currently falls on taxpayers and local councils. It is only fair that the companies which create the problem should bear the cost of solving it. This principle already applies in many countries to electronic goods and packaging, and the same logic should extend to textiles.

Secondly, such a policy would push the industry towards more sustainable practices. If brands had to pay for every garment that is thrown away, they would have a strong financial incentive to make clothes that last longer and are easier to recycle. They might also cut down on overproduction and offer repair services, reducing waste at the source. For example, some outdoor clothing brands already offer free repairs and take back old items for recycling.

Critics argue that companies would simply pass these costs on to consumers through higher prices. While this is possible, slightly more expensive clothing is not necessarily a bad thing, since it would discourage throwaway consumption and encourage shoppers to buy fewer but better items. The environmental cost of cheap fashion is ultimately paid by everyone anyway.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that clothing companies should be made responsible for the collection and recycling of their products. This would be fairer to taxpayers and would drive meaningful change in a highly polluting industry.