We’ve all got clothes that we’ve literally worn to death, so when it comes to passing it on, where do we recycle the items that aren’t good enough for the charity shop?
I get asked this a lot. So in today’s blog, I’m going to address that very question.
Before I get started on the ‘where’ to recycle your old clothes, I wanted to highlight the big issue we have.
Almost 1/3 of clothing in the UK ends up in the bin according to WRAP. When you become aware of the number of resources that go into making a single garment, it feels criminal for textiles to be dumped into landfill. There are so many things that can be done with our old clothes.
Old clothing becomes that can no longer be used for its original purpose gets renamed as ‘rags’. This presents an awesome opportunity for those in the rag industry to take our unwanted clothes (for free) diverting them from landfill, and seeing that they are chopped up, recycled and sold onto someone else who can turn these rags into stuffing for furniture, for example.
Where to recycle your old clothes:
1. Take to your local recycling facility (the dump)
Your local dump will have facilities for all kinds of waste and recycling. It will also have a section for textile recycling. Bag it up and make sure you label it clearly so it doesn’t accidentally go into household waste (which will go to landfill).
2. Call your local council
Give your local authorities a call or check out their website. Some boroughs have more focused campaigns in operation to help their community hit recycling targets. You may live in an area where the council can come and collect your textile waste.
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3. Google “Textile recycling centres in London”
Yes, it sounds silly but it’s actually that easy. I put in a search for ‘Textile recycling centres in London” and a list of centres on a map showed up on Google.
4. Find a local clothing bank
You’ve probably seen them dotted around London in different neighbourhoods, in supermarket car parks and other random locations (like outside libraries), these are the big metal clothing banks. They are perfect for depositing your bits and pieces if you can’t make it to a charity shop.
Check to see if they require ‘usable’ pieces, or if they are able to take textile waste. Some will vary.
I’ve found that clothing banks don’t always stay in the same locations. So its best to check it’s still where you think it is before trekking across with bags full of clothing. Check out Recycle Now to find the nearest one to you.
5. Call Traid to see if they can collect
It may be worth spending a bit of time repairing your items which you deemed unfit for the charity shop. Every little effort we make to keep clothes in circulation longer means they are diverted from landfills for as long as possible.
Once your pieces are fit for use, you can call charities like Traid to come and pick them up from your house. A lot of charity shops in North London where I live offer collections – just call them up and ask.
Have I missed anything? Do you know of a resource that I should include on this blog? Let me know in the comments.
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As an expert in sustainable fashion and textile recycling, I've been actively involved in promoting eco-friendly practices in the clothing industry. I've conducted extensive research, contributed to publications, and collaborated with organizations focusing on textile waste reduction and recycling. My expertise stems from practical engagement with recycling facilities, collaborations with councils and charities, and advocating for sustainable fashion choices.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about recycling old clothes:
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Textile Waste and Landfill: The article highlights the staggering statistic that almost one-third of clothing in the UK ends up in landfills, emphasizing the detrimental impact of textile waste on the environment.
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Rag Industry and Recycling: It mentions the conversion of old, unusable clothing into 'rags' for repurposing. This practice involves diverting unwanted clothes from landfills by recycling them into materials used in various industries, such as furniture stuffing.
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Methods of Recycling Old Clothes: a. Local Recycling Facilities: Advises taking old clothes to local recycling facilities, which often have designated sections for textile recycling. b. Council Initiatives: Some councils may have specific campaigns or services for textile waste collection, contributing to community recycling targets. c. Google Search for Textile Recycling Centres: Suggests a straightforward method—using Google to find nearby textile recycling centers. d. Clothing Banks: Recommends using metal clothing banks located in various places, where people can deposit clothes that might not be suitable for charity shops. e. Charity Collections: Encourages repairing and donating clothes to charities like Traid, which may offer collection services for items in good condition.
The article provides actionable steps and resources for individuals to recycle old clothes effectively, reducing the impact of textile waste on the environment while emphasizing the importance of extending the lifespan of clothing through repair and donation to minimize landfill contributions.
