Background: Fast fashion promotes the buying of cheap, stylish clothes that are quickly disposed of. Despite the global focus on sustainable clothing practices, little research has addressed the realities in developing countries. In Nigeria, there is a deluge of second-hand clothing bought in bulk from the developed countries that saturates local markets with less expensive options, fueling the rate of textile waste. These lower cost options lead to an increasing environmental problem, with a majority of such clothes being dumped or burnt. This underscores the need to explore the clothing disposal practices and the promotion of sustainable practices that are specific to Nigeria’s context.

Purpose: Previous research on clothing waste management has mainly focused on large-scale industrial textile disposal and recycling systems while less is known about everyday consumer disposal practices in developing economies. This research explores how Nigerian consumers dispose of their clothing and the intentions to use various clothing disposal methods.

Method: A qualitative study design was employed with semi-structured interviews as a primary data collection method. Twenty participants were recruited based on their diverse demographic backgrounds. The sample comprised of male and female participants 20 years and above living in Nigeria. The data from the interview were coded systematically and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify themes.  

Conclusion: The findings show that the Nigerian consumers' clothing disposal is affected by a constant intention–behavior gap, which is influenced by cultural norms and infrastructural challenges. Although numerous individuals wish to recycle or donate, the reality is that many end up incinerating due to limited access and convenience. The research also indicates that disposal options differ based on variables like clothing condition, ecological consciousness, and social impact. Consequently, sustainable waste disposal strategies should be customized to fit individual circumstances by providing local infrastructure, awareness, and motivation to effectively assist their goals and encourage more sustainable practices.