When we think about recycling, we don't often think about textiles. Textiles are made from natural or synthetic fibers (or a blend), and are used to make clothing, shoes, linens, bedding, upholstery, curtains, mattresses, carpets, and much more. Nearly all domestic textiles are recyclable, but less than 15% of textiles generated in the U.S. are reused or recycled — leaving 85% to be landfilled or incinerated. On average, each American throws away 70 pounds of textiles per year.
Although some textiles are considered difficult to recycle, it is important to address this growing waste stream. Textiles production has doubled since 2000, and the amount of textile waste heading to landfills has increased by over 70% during that timeframe. This is quite a jump compared to the overall 6% increase in waste going to landfills.
Reusing and recycling textiles helps limit reliance on natural resources — whether natural cotton and linen (and all the inputs that go into making them, including water, pesticides, and energy) or petroleum-based synthetic fibers. You can do your part to help others, and the environment, by donating your clothes to be reused or recycled instead!
A Second Life
When you donate your clothes or other items, you are helping those who need them most. Charitable thrift stores and organizations are able to resell many donated items at an affordable price, and the proceeds then help those organizations and their programs. If the donated items are not sellable, they are often sent to developing countries where they are sorted and sold at affordable prices to help people in those regions.
A Whole New Product
When clothing or other textiles are no longer fit for reuse, many can still be cut up to make shop rags. These are used to clean automobiles and machinery or turned into insulation for homes and businesses. Recycled textiles can also be used in flooring, packaging, stuffing for toys, pet beds — the list goes on and on. Some used textiles, like PET carpeting, can be recycled to manufacture entirely new products.
Reducing waste is the highest priority in the waste management hierarchy, so remember to think before you buy. Consider supporting the circular economy by shopping at thrift stores or attending reuse events, like those hosted in Austin or Houston by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Texas Oklahoma Chapter. These biannual events are free and open to the public, who can take home outdated interior and architecture samples without charge. Next, conservation can start in your closet. If you have old or unwanted textiles, consider the following tips to reuse or recycle them:
Texas-Based Textile Recyclers
American Textile Recycling Service (Houston) hosts drop boxes for textiles and sorts textiles and other goods for reuse and recycling. ATRS hosts a 24-hour hotline (866-900-9308) to inform residents of drop box locations.
The Houston Furniture Bank (Houston) refurbishes select used mattresses and supplies them to people in need and recycles the remainder of the mattresses that they receive. This organization recycles over 2,000 mattresses each month through its seven drop-off locations in the Houston area.
Re-Mat (San Antonio) is a nonprofit organization serving central Texas communities that converts used memory foam mattresses into dog beds. Re-Mat is also raising funds to establish a mattress recycling operation that can handle inner-spring mattresses.
National Programs and Resources
Blue Jeans Go Green — Recycle your worn denim through the Blue Jeans Go Green program. You can drop off at a participating retailer or mail your denim for free.
Donation Town — Find and schedule clothing donation pick-up service in your area.
H&M, Don't Let Fashion Go To Waste — H&M retail stores accept any brand textiles, in any condition, at all their locations globally for recycling or reuse.
Nike — Nike accepts used athletic shoes of any brand (but only athletic shoes) at most locations and select locations also accept any brand of athletic tops or bottoms.
The North Face — The North Face, through their Clothes the Loop program, accepts clothing and shoes of any brand for recycling at their retail and outlet stores.
Patagonia — Trade in unwanted Patagonia clothing and accessories at any Patagonia store or via mail. If your items are eligible, you'll receive a credit to use on new Patagonia gear. If your items aren't accepted, Patagonia will recycle them.
Soles 4 Souls — Soles 4 Souls (S4S) is a national shoe recycling program in which shoe retailers accept used shoes at their stores, or individuals can mail them to a central site at no cost. Shoes are recycled and people living in poverty are provided with work opportunities.
