Whether you’re purging your closet or simply what to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, it can be a challenge to know what to do with your unwanted clothes. Before you toss them in the bin, consider recycling them for the better.
As consumers continue to buy more and more, investing in fast fashion results in an immense amount of clothing & textile waste around the world. Recycling your wardrobe and buying clothes made from recycled materials can drastically reduce the amount of mixed plastic and material waste in landfills.
From saving money to building a better planet, let’s do a deep dive on why you should always recycle your wardrobe - and how to get started.
We’ve all heard the mantra “reduce, reuse, recycle” in one form or another. While you might already be used to recycling paper waste or reusable, recycled plastic bottles, textile recycling is just as important to the planet’s health and well-being.
The UK ranked the fourth most textile polluting nation in the world, producing approximately 206,456 tonnes of yearly textile waste. By purchasing clothes secondhand, buying sustainable or recycled shoes, or recycling your own clothing, you can make tangible the value of nature in everyday life.
Let’s explore why you should recycle your wardrobe this season:
Conserve energy: Every single piece of clothing you wear goes through a complex manufacturing process that takes up a lot of energy. When you recycle your clothes, you disrupt the supply chain by reducing the need to create leather goods, a pair of shoes, or clothes from scratch.
It is a cost-effective solution: You can save money by simply buying less clothing. However, if you’re struggling to live the minimalist lifestyle, consider investing in secondhand or vintage pieces to refresh your wardrobe. This route gives your closet an easy refresh and unique pieces a second life.
Free up landfill space: Landfills are not only harmful hubs for plastic waste and plastic pollution, but they also have high costs for cities. By recycling your clothes, you can help reduce waste in landfills and help redistribute municipal budgets for other community-oriented initiatives.
Reduce greenhouse gases: While clothing made from cotton, linen, and other materials are more than likely biodegradable, most clothing items that end up in landfills lack the necessary oxygen for organic materials to break down. This lack of oxygen releases harmful byproducts like methane into the atmosphere.
Related: Discover more Sustainable tips over at our Timberland Sustainability Blog
Here at Timberland, we’ve committed to preserving the wider world we live in since 1952. By recycling your clothes or simply investing in eco-conscious pieces and sustainable shoes, you can join us on the path to purposeful profit.
Recycling your clothes is a feasible and rewarding process. Consider partnering with an organisation to set up a donation pick up or simply drive your clothes to a secondhand shop for someone else to take advantage of.
Whether you plan to donate your unwanted clothing or repurpose them through a textile recycling program, there are a wide variety of options for you to consider.
Donate used textiles: Donate your unwanted clothes to a local homeless shelter or secondhand shop. This will not only reduce waste but will also benefit communities in need.
Limit your consumption: It’s no secret that the less you consume, the less waste you ultimately produce. Consider buying fewer pieces and favouring eco-conscious brands when you do need to level up your look.
Buy recycled leather pieces: There are a variety of footwear brands on the market that make leather shoes from recycled, cruelty-free and natural materials, including our Timberland’s Original Yellow Boots.
Rethink plastic recycling: At Timberland, the equivalent of 345 million plastic bottles has found new life in our products since 2009. All non-biodegradable plastic waste is collected, shredded, and turned into yarns or woven into fabric.
Related: How To Live A Zero-Waste Lifestyle
With the Timberland team by your side, you can build a brighter future for the planet by recycling your wardrobe. With a bit of forethought and an eco-conscious mindset, it can be easier than ever.
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