Did you know that the average US Citizen throws away an average of 70 lbs. of clothing annually? The fashion industry is a major contributor to global pollution, generating about 10% of annual CO₂ emissions. Reusing, donating, or recycling clothing helps reduce its environmental impact.
Clean Out Your Closet—Responsibly
Finished cleaning out your closet and wondering what to do with all those clothes? It matters more than you might think. The fashion industry is responsible for about 10% of global CO₂ emissions, and choosing reuse or recycling helps reduce its environmental impact.
Step 1: Sort It Out
Divide clothing and accessories into three groups:
- Great condition: like new, no visible wear.
- Good condition: gently worn but still wearable.
- Poor condition: stained, torn, or worn out.
Step 2: Reuse What You Can
- Clothing swaps & consignment stores: Perfect for great-condition items. Swap with friends or earn resale value while keeping clothing in circulation.
Step 3: Donate Gently Worn Items
- Thrifty stores & charities: Donate good-condition clothing to organizations like Goodwill or Salvation Army, where proceeds often support community programs.
Step 4: Recycle What Can’t Be Worn
- Skip donating damaged clothing and recycle it instead. Many retailers—including Patagonia, H&M, and American Eagle—accept textiles from any brand for recycling. Use a Recycling Locator to find drop-off sites near you.
Step 5: Use Mail-In Recycling Options
No drop-ok nearby? Try these mail-in services:
- Terracycle Zero Waste Box: Prepaid boxes for all textiles, recycled into insulation and cleaning cloths.
- Retold Recycling: Prepaid mail-in bags (up to 5 lbs.) for clothing and household textiles—nothing goes to landfill.
- Everywhere Apparel: Mail in clothing from any brand to be turned into recycled cotton products and receive a $5 store credit.
Quick FAQs
- How do I find a consignment store? A quick online search will reveal local options and keep resale dollars in your community.
- What happens to recycled clothing? Items are sorted by condition and material, then reused, shredded into fiberfill, made into rags, or recycled into insulation.
- What about old eyewear? Donate glasses at LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, or Target Optical through the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and Lions Clubs.
- What about shoes? Swap or sell pairs in great shape, donate gently worn footwear, and recycle damaged shoes through textile recycling programs.
Small choices in your closet can make a big difference for the planet.
Sources: Earth911.com
