Fighting Textile Waste in America
In 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported a staggering 17 million tons of textile waste generated in the United States alone, constituting 5.8 percent of total Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Shockingly, 3.2 million tons of textiles were incinerated, contributing to 9.3 percent of MSW combusted with energy recovery. Furthermore, landfills received a staggering 11.3 million tons of MSW textiles, accounting for 7.7 percent of all MSW landfilled.
So when it comes to reducing textile waste what can we do? Here’s some things you can do that can reduce textile waste and promote sustainability!
Recycle
Look for textile recycling programs in your area. Often, communities will have events or drop-off locations for people who would like to recycle scrap textiles. These textiles can be recycled into many new materials such as insulation, carpet padding, or even new clothing fibers for new clothes! Organizations that collect scrap textiles have the infrastructure to handle these materials, regardless of the condition of the clothing or item being recycled.
For those in New York, we highly recommend taking a look at NYC311, The Official Website of the City of New York to get a better understanding of the companies or organizations in your area that can best handle your scraps.
Upcycle
Unleash your creativity by repurposing your clothing into fresh, innovative items. Transform old t-shirts into handy cleaning rags, breathe new life into worn jeans with carefully sewn patches, or fashion cozy quilts from a collection of beloved garments. For the truly inventive, blending various pieces of older clothing can result in entirely novel creations. This approach not only revitalizes your wardrobe but also champions sustainability by minimizing textile waste.
A photo of Dillon Eisman sewing clothing by People
Take inspiration from individuals like Dillon Eisman, the visionary behind Sew Swag Inc., a non-profit dedicated to providing upcycled clothing to underprivileged youth. Dillon's journey began with firsthand experiences of homelessness among young people in Los Angeles County, California. Recognizing the potential to boost their self-esteem, he embarked on a mission to create clothing they could take pride in. Armed with determination, Dillon honed his sewing skills with his mother's machine and leveraged online resources to develop both his craft and organization. See more about what Sew Swag Inc. is about click here!
Donate
Extend the life of your gently used textiles by considering donation to charities or organizations equipped to repurpose them. By giving your textiles a second chance, you not only reduce waste, but also extend a helping hand to those in need of clothing. Your decision to donate used clothing has a direct and positive impact on these alarming statistics. By choosing to donate, you are diverting textiles from incineration and landfills. This not only preserves valuable landfill space, but also mitigates the environmental consequences associated with textile incineration.
If you’d like to schedule a donation pickup with our organization, you can do so by clicking here.
Every piece you donate contributes to a more sustainable future, where we collectively embrace the principles of reuse and reduce the strain on our planet's resources.
To find out more information on how recycling can positively impact the environment, visit https://www.epa.gov/recycle
