- Sustainable Queen
WHAT TO DO WITH USED CLOTHES?
Waste is an unfortunate part of the life cycle of a garment, resulting in 57% of discarded clothes polluting landfills each year. In the United States, the amount of used textile waste generated has doubled over the last 20 years.
Various sustainability efforts aim to lessen the impact of clothing waste on pollution and climate change. One of them includes better waste management of garments, which offers many environmental benefits and huge cost savings.
If you find yourself with plenty of used clothes you don’t wear anymore, here are some ways you can reuse or recycle them.
Donate to Those In Need
You can donate clothes that are still in good condition to local communities, charities, or churches. Many resources are available to help you find the best place to support individuals or families in need.
Sell Your Clothes
Whether you do it online or at a garage sale, selling your used clothes is a great way to make a few bucks while doing some good. For selling online, you can select from many different websites for vintage or second-hand clothing. When listing your items, just make sure to include all the wear and tear details in the description.
Textile Recycling
You can donate old clothes that are no longer wearable to your local textile recycling programs. Many companies also recycle and upcycle garments into something new.
Give Used Clothes to an Animal Shelter
Used fabrics are often used by animal shelters to clean or make beds and blankets for the animals in their care. Consider donating your old clothes or towels to help a pet in need.
DIY Projects
DIY projects are a creative way to recycle old clothing into something functional. From a grocery bag, rug, or quilt, the possibilities are endless. If your clothes have holes and tears, but you can’t let go of them, you can patch them up and create a new style out of them.
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