Have you ever considered how your clothes are recycled? Have you ever thought about what happens to them when you throw them away, versus if you recycle them?
How are my clothes recycled?
Many shopping centres and supermarkets offer recycling banks to make it available for people to recycle clothes with ease. These clothing cycling bins are becoming more prevalent and accessible in towns and cities, they are commonly found in high-traffic locations. Companies will visit these banks and collect the donated clothes, bringing them to recycling centres where clothes are classified into three groups: reuse, rags, and fibre, a process which is normally done by hand. Next, textiles are sorted by colour, material, and all zips and buttons are removed. The clothes that are more worn out are often down-cycled into low-value products like rags or insulation. Some fabrics are spun into new yarn for clothing or craft depending on the quality. Other clothes that are in good condition are sent to charity shops or to markets abroad for resale.
What is the fabric used for after being recycled?
If clothes are not given away to be sold or donated, recycling plants choose to reduce them into fabric. For example, some are turned into wash cloths, made into new textiles, or melted into polyester. Natural fibres such as cotton and wool are re-spun into new yarn, while synthetic fibres such as polyester are broken down and used for new fabrics. Most recycled clothes end up in charity stores if they are still good for use.
Why is recycling better for the environment?
Recycling is better for the environment as it conserves limited natural resources, saves energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and minimises waste. Reusing materials reduces the need to get more raw material, preserving forests and ecosystems. It also requires a lot less energy than creating them from scratch. Additionally, it prevents plastic from polluting oceans and damaging marine life.
Instead of buying clothes from fast fashion brands, such as Temu and Shein, try to get your clothes from sustainable sources such as charity shops, recycled materials, or second-hand clothing. You do not have to spend a lot of money to help save the environment and still look fashionable.
Written by Olatinuke Odebiyi & Eshaal Khan