The next time you’re tunnelling back through the darkest depths of your wardrobe, you might want to think twice before heading straight for the bin. There’s a multitude of reasons to recycle your old garments, from aiding those less fortunate to helping out the very environment we inhabit. Let’s have a quick look at the whys and hows of sustainable clothes disposal.

What are the benefits of recycling used clothes?

Alright, so what are we actually achieving here? Well, for starters, we’re doing the planet a huge favour. Recycling clothing means that less of it has to be made in the first place. This saves water, which might otherwise be used in the process of growing cotton and wool. Recycling also means less pollution from things like mass production, dyes and cleaning chemicals. It essence, recycling ensures that less of the planet’s resources are being wasted on unnecessary textile production.

Secondly, donated clothing can be a lifesaver for those who simply can’t afford to buy it new. Whether you’re going through a charity shop or giving clothes away directly to the people who need them, you’ll be making a huge difference in their lives. What’s more, you can even recycle clothing yourself at home. If you don’t wear something anymore, its fabric can still be used for quilting, cushion covers, cleaning rags, and a host other applications.

How to recycle

That takes care of the whys. Now for the hows. We just covered upcycling clothes into quilts and such, but the most common way to reuse clothes is by donating them to charity shops. This is generally fine, although recent price hikes mean that some are becoming too expensive for lower-income families to shop at. Another option is to give your clothes to a local group, such as a homeless shelter. This will ensure that they go straight to the people that need them.

You can also put clothing in charity collection bins, but be aware that these aren’t always quite what they seem. Some are operated by commercial enterprises, which means that your clothes might end up supporting for-profit groups instead of those in need.

What happens to your clothes then?

Once you’ve given your clothes away to a reputable establishment, several things can happen. If they’re of good enough quality, they’ll be sold on for fundraising or simply given directly to folks who need them. Clothes in poor condition can still be used, and are often turned into industrial rags, sound-absorption materials, insulation or stuffing.

What can I donate?

If you’re donating clothes with a view to other people wearing them, the answer is pretty much anything of sufficient quality. You can use your own judgement here, but it’s usually quite apparent if a garment is still wearable (i.e. not torn in half or eaten by moths).

Even if you simply want your clothes to be turned into rags and recycled, some quality standards still apply. They have to be clean, meaning no dirt, grease, paint, blood, or any other undesirable stains. They also have to be made of absorbent material, so denim is a no-no. White clothing is preferable, and the minimum cut size for rags is 400mm². This tends to exclude children’s clothing. If you donate anything damaged or stained, the charity will probably have to pay to get rid of it themselves. A little consideration goes a long way.

Please do consider donating your clothing in the future, and don’t forget to check our listings for the best places to do so nearby.