Would you like to live a zero-waste, sustainable life? Well, here are some bite-sized recycling facts for you. Did you know that in the US alone, more than 16.9 million tons of textile end up as waste on a yearly basis? Also, the lifetime of an average item of clothes is as little as three years. And considering that we produce millions of tons of clothes each year (in 2018 alone it was around 17 million), that puts into perspective just how much of it ends up wasted. In other words, for every item we produce, we discard at least one.
It’s no wonder, then, that so many people are looking into sustainable fashion and different methods of recycling clothes and fabrics. So, if you have any interest in learning more about this practice, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will serve as your brief introduction to the world of sustainable fashion and all of its elements.
Why Recycle At All?
As stated earlier, millions of tons of fabrics end up in landfills. An average piece of fabric can take up to several years to decompose properly, depending on what material it contains. During the decomposition, it can release huge amounts of CO2 and methane, both of which are harmful to our atmosphere. But more importantly, some of the materials used in modern clothing are not biodegradable. In fact, they can take anywhere between 20 and 200 years to decompose naturally!
Because of the different types of materials that a single item might contain, clothes can be incredibly hard to recycle. Yet, people still do it. The reason behind that decision is rather simple. If we can make a difference and keep our world clean and zero-waste, we will leave no stone unturned. That also includes the challenging task of recycling old clothes and fabrics. And we should point out that sustainable fashion includes more than just recycling. But we will get more into that later.
What Is Sustainable Fashion?
In the simplest terms possible, sustainable fashion refers to clothing and general wear that we design, manufacture, distribute, and use in ethical and environmentally friendly ways. It’s a trend so popular nowadays that even massive multinational brands. In fact, the United Nations even has an initiative entirely dedicated to sustainable fashion practices.
Generally speaking, you are a proponent of sustainable fashion if you care about answers to these particular questions:
● Where is my clothing item made?
● What does my item contain?
● Can my item degrade naturally without polluting the environment?
● How is my item manufactured?
● Can my item be reused safely?
● Can my item be reused in different, environmentally acceptable ways?
● Are there ways I can buy other items that will not result in harming the environment?
● Can I use materials from my old item in order to create a new one?
● If I have to discard my item, can I do it in a green, safe manner without disrupting anything or anyone in the process?
Engaging in Sustainable Fashion
Donating Old Clothes and Fabrics
By far, the quickest way you can get rid of old clothes without throwing them away is to donate them. Some of the go-to places are Goodwill, the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. However, don’t limit yourself to these organizations. In fact, you can check out one of many alternatives out there, both locally and (inter)nationally. Even a worn-out piece of clothing can help a less fortunate soul to keep warm during the upcoming cold, winter nights.
In addition, go around your local churches, mosques, synagogues, and other religious organizations and ask if you can help with a donation. Orphanages and homeless shelters are also a good bet.
Buying Second-hand
Second-hand shops and thrift stores are a treasure trove of amazing items. You can get anything from slightly used coats to brand new shoes and even different accessories. Not only will you keep an item away from the landfill, but you’ll also be getting it for a fraction of its original price. In fact, you might even replenish your wardrobe for the next ten years at a ridiculously low price.
Of course, there is another useful aspect to second-hand shops. While most of them buy in bulk, some will accept individual items. So, ask around and see which stores will take your own old items. You can even donate them for free if you don’t have any room for them in your home.
Buying from Sustainable Brands
As we stated earlier, sustainable fashion is so popular that some of the biggest brands out there are embracing it. Of course, you can find some other, smaller brands online, but always make sure to do your research. After all, there are plenty of brands in other industries that lie about their sustainability policies, and the fashion market is no different.
Finding the Proper Recycling Facilities
If you have a ton of old rags and clothes that you can’t really reuse in any tangible way, you can try recycling them. The best way to go about that is to find a proper facility near you that will take said fabrics. Each facility follows strict rules and regulations when it comes to textile recycling in order to achieve optimal results.
Returning the Item to the Manufacturer
Interestingly enough, certain brands will actually accept an old item of theirs if you return it for recycling. More often than not, these brands have connections to recycling facilities and they exchange their old clothing for a set rate. A few other brands will even accept clothing from other brands for that same purpose. Shoe companies do the same thing with old footwear, as do handbag manufacturers.
Final Thoughts
Really, sustainable fashion can be reduced to a few simple quips. If you can wear it, wear it. If you can’t wear it, donate it. You can’t wear it or donate it? Then you’ll reuse it, upcycle it, or recycle it. As long as you can avoid sending it to the landfill, you’ve done your part in keeping fashion sustainable and the planet safe.