Ways To Reduce Clothing and Textile Waste In Your Community
Gain a deeper understanding of what textile waste is, what causes it, and learn ways to reduce it in your community.
Every year, 2.1 billion tons of waste are produced across the globe. Textile waste is an ever-growing contributor: nearly 5% of municipal solid waste (MSW) is composed of clothing and textiles. While that might not seem like much on paper, it accounts for over 100 million tons of textile waste.
Beyond MSW, the textile industry produces eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. This number is only expected to grow: emissions from the textile industry are predicted to rise by more than 60% by 2030. And annually, the textile industry consumes 215 trillion litres of water—20% of global wastewater.
What is textile waste?
Textile waste is comprised of materials, typically clothing, that have been disposed of as they're deemed unfit for use. Textiles can include items such as clothing, purses, belts, linens, shoes, drapery, and more.
What is causing an increase textile waste?
As consumers, we continue to increase our fast fashion purchases; we're spending less time owning the clothing we buy to keep up with the most recent fashion trends. Fast fashion is when retailers provide consumers with the latest trends at a lower price—usually made with lower quality materials. This leads to the consumer throwing out clothing at a faster rate than previous generations. In just under two decades, textile waste has increased by 50% in the U.S. alone.
What can be done to reduce textile waste?
The good news is that there are many people and organizations working to reduce textile waste. You can encourage your residents to participate in lowering their textile consumption and waste rates by:
1. Creating Awareness around Slow Fashion Purchases
Instead of buying the latest fashion trends every month or every season, you can encourage residents to consider purchasing higher quality clothing pieces that last longer, also known as “slow fashion.” This requires a change in consumer behaviour to buying clothing and textiles for their quality and longevity.
2. Organizing A Community Clothing Swap
Organize a community event for residents to exchange gently used clothing in good condition with others. This encourages clothing to be reused and provides the opportunity to swap items without spending money. Develop an easy-to-follow plan for how the clothing swap will work. Spring and fall are ideal times to host as people switch out their wardrobes.
3) Encouraging Clothing Donations andSelling
Most communities have charities, non-profits, and businesses like Goodwill that will accept donated clothing. Part of their mission is to divert clothing and textiles from landfills, and they accept clothing in good condition. The rest is often sent to recycling plants, where the textiles can be turned into rags.
Another option is to encourage the use of apps like Depop, Poshmark, and Vinted, where users can sell their second-hand clothes.
All Information in One Place
An app like Recycle Coach allows for all local waste information to be at residents' fingertips. Fully tailored to your location and local waste rules, features like the “What Goes Where” search tool can be adjusted to encourage sustainable actions that go beyond recycling. And community events--like clothings swaps--can be organized, advertised, and signed up for, all on the app.
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Ways To Reduce Clothing and Textile Waste In Your Community
Gain a deeper understanding of what textile waste is, what causes it, and learn ways to reduce it in your community.
Every year, 2.1 billion tons of waste are produced across the globe. Textile waste is an ever-growing contributor: nearly 5% of municipal solid waste (MSW) is composed of clothing and textiles. While that might not seem like much on paper, it accounts for over 100 million tons of textile waste.
Beyond MSW, the textile industry produces eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. This number is only expected to grow: emissions from the textile industry are predicted to rise by more than 60% by 2030. And annually, the textile industry consumes 215 trillion litres of water—20% of global wastewater.
What is textile waste?
Textile waste is comprised of materials, typically clothing, that have been disposed of as they're deemed unfit for use. Textiles can include items such as clothing, purses, belts, linens, shoes, drapery, and more.
What is causing an increase textile waste?
As consumers, we continue to increase our fast fashion purchases; we're spending less time owning the clothing we buy to keep up with the most recent fashion trends. Fast fashion is when retailers provide consumers with the latest trends at a lower price—usually made with lower quality materials. This leads to the consumer throwing out clothing at a faster rate than previous generations. In just under two decades, textile waste has increased by 50% in the U.S. alone.
What can be done to reduce textile waste?
The good news is that there are many people and organizations working to reduce textile waste. You can encourage your residents to participate in lowering their textile consumption and waste rates by:
1. Creating Awareness around Slow Fashion Purchases
Instead of buying the latest fashion trends every month or every season, you can encourage residents to consider purchasing higher quality clothing pieces that last longer, also known as “slow fashion.” This requires a change in consumer behaviour to buying clothing and textiles for their quality and longevity.
2. Organizing A Community Clothing Swap
Organize a community event for residents to exchange gently used clothing in good condition with others. This encourages clothing to be reused and provides the opportunity to swap items without spending money. Develop an easy-to-follow plan for how the clothing swap will work. Spring and fall are ideal times to host as people switch out their wardrobes.
3) Encouraging Clothing Donations andSelling
Most communities have charities, non-profits, and businesses like Goodwill that will accept donated clothing. Part of their mission is to divert clothing and textiles from landfills, and they accept clothing in good condition. The rest is often sent to recycling plants, where the textiles can be turned into rags.
Another option is to encourage the use of apps like Depop, Poshmark, and Vinted, where users can sell their second-hand clothes.
All Information in One Place
An app like Recycle Coach allows for all local waste information to be at residents' fingertips. Fully tailored to your location and local waste rules, features like the “What Goes Where” search tool can be adjusted to encourage sustainable actions that go beyond recycling. And community events--like clothings swaps--can be organized, advertised, and signed up for, all on the app.
You might also like...
Single-Use Plastics: Their Impact and Possible Solutions
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