Never Throw Old Clothes Into the Trash
If your closet is like mine, then it’s full of things you should probably throw away.
I have embarrassing shirts that no longer fit, gaping hole socks (which I still wear) and oversized sweatpants that never go out (and should never leave my apartment).
This week Fast Company brought up a garment issue in our trash heap. The EPA estimates that over 10 million tonnes of textiles were sent to landfills in 2015, and only 14.2% of all footwear and apparel were recycled that year.
Why do we recycle our T-shirts and jeans so badly? First, not all recycling companies accept clothing. We inevitably donate these clothes to stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army, which if not sold will still end up in the trash (this doesn’t mean you should n’t donate them, just not everything you give will find a home ).
Clothing also often cannot be recycled back into clothing. Instead, it loops down into products such as rags or used in isolation (and for those personally attached to clothing, knowing your wedding dress can be used as a cleaning rag would be a mighty obstacle to jumping).
But how can we get rid of our used clothing? Well, it turns out there are a number of solutions to your wardrobe problem if your recycler doesn’t accept textiles.
Find a drop-off point
Using the Earth911 locator , you can easily find the closest object that will accept your used clothing for recycling. A number of retailers also participate in their own garment recycling programs. Patagonia accepts any garment for recycling, and North Face and H&M accept all brands of clothing – just put them in the trash cans at any store. Unwearable jeans all over the place? You can bring them to anyJ. Crew or Madewell store (or mail them) in exchange for a $ 20 discount on a new pair.
Bring unwanted shoes to any Nike or Converse store and throw them in the trash can. They will recycle them into everything from shoes to real treadmills and playgrounds. Shoe brand Asics will also accept unwanted clothing and shoes.
Send them to the recycler
Do you have a bunch of old clothes and don’t know what to do? Make it easy for yourself and send them all at once with TerraCycle . You can purchase a box for your belongings on his website and they will recycle everything on your behalf.
In collaboration with Bausch, TerraCycle will even accept all your contact lenses for free. You will need to store them in a small cardboard box (such as a used lens drive) and you can print the free shipping label on the Bausch website . They will be turned into plastic to make other recyclable products.
Donate them for reuse
While not really recyclable, reuse is just as important when it comes to sustainability. The GSP will allow you to donate any old glasses to those who do not have access to glasses.
If you are looking to make a social impact, search the Internet for your local grocery, charity, or thrift store where you can donate unwanted clean clothes (ask a staff member where your clothes go if they won’t buy). However, if there is a huge stain on the shirt, you are much more fortunate to recycle it rather than donate it. Your shirt with holes may one day end up cleaning your car windshield.