When discussing sustainability, we often focus on the environment or renewable sources of energy. In the process, however, textile waste and the effort to minimize it is forgotten. Textile waste is made primarily of discarded clothing as well as other nondurable goods like sheets and towels; in recent years, the amount has reached 16.9 million tons annually (EPA, 2017). More shocking is that produced textile waste accounts for 6.3% of the generated municipal solid waste (EPA, 2017). A great deal has to do with lack of discussion, perhaps promotion, of the need to do something about textile waste. People will find though that there are a number of sustainable habits that can be implemented into one’s life with ease when looking deeper into solutions . 

Spring is the time for cleaning. With warm and sunny weather right around the corner, many people take it as a sign to wipe counters and dust shelves. It is also the opportunity to clean your closets. After going through the piles of sweaters and knits, you're sure to find clothes that you don't wear or no longer fit. While they may no longer be useful, these clothes aren’t garbage either. In fact, there are ways to give them a second life in a sustainable fashion.

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Consider repairing your clothes. If the jeans you really love or the flannel you cannot live without have some tear or wear, stitch it up and make them look brand new. Transform old clothes into new by adding patches or embroidery, a method that will put a fun and creative twist on the same article of clothing. Other options include altering jeans into shorts, scarves into wraps, or shirts into skirts. Essentially anything oversized becomes material for a new project with a completely different outfit as the product. It’s very much do-it-yourself, but it’s environmentally friendly as you’re finding ways to make old clothes new again.

Repurposing is another option that works. Old and unwanted clothes can be transformed into things like tote bags or purses. Take these eco-friendly bags to the grocery or any other quick errand. Tie in strips of old t-shirts and quilt together into a blanket. A wide variety of projects gives you a chance to transform old clothing into everyday, versatile items that will be put into good use.


Donating is never a bad idea. Among the 16.9 million tons of textile waste produced, only 2.6 are recycled. This means a majority of unwanted clothing never makes it to second hand stores, a sustainable source of shopping for many people. Donating and buying from thrift stores immensely contributes to the effort of minimizing textile waste. In fact, it is one of the easiest ways to do so. Make sure you call in advance to see if the thrift store is accepting donations while shelter-in-place orders are in effect.

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