How to recycle clothing

Choosing to repair, repurpose, or swap clothes before recycling can also help extend their useful life. Here are some effective ways to recycle clothing:

Donation and Reuse Programs

Donate to local charities that accept clothing donations for refurbishment and reuse
Participate in clothing swap events where participants bring items they no longer want to exchange for “new” pre-owned clothes
Utilize take-back programs offered by some brands to recycle old or worn clothing

Recycling Methods

Textile-to-textile recycling involves reprocessing old uniforms back into fiber to create new textiles
Upcycling converts textile waste into different products of higher value
Downcycling mechanically shreds old clothes for use in lower-quality products like insulation or carpet underlay
Chemical recycling breaks down fabrics into their polymer components to create new synthetic fibers
Enzymatic recycling uses enzymes to separate cotton and polyester blends into their base materials

Finding Recycling Options

Check with your local council or waste authority to see if they accept textiles in curbside recycling
Look for in-store collection points at large supermarkets for soft plastics and textiles
Search for “textile recycling near me” or “clothes recycle bin near me” to find drop-off locations
Utilize mail-back services offered by some companies to recycle clothing

By exploring these donation, reuse, and recycling options, you can ensure your old clothes find a new life instead of ending up in landfill. Choosing to repair, repurpose, or swap clothes before recycling can also help extend their useful life.

Interested in recycling? Read more about other products:

What are the most common materials used in clothing that can be recycled

The most common recycled materials used in clothing are:

Recycled Polyester

Recycled polyester, or rPET, is the most widely used recycled material in clothing. It is made from recycled plastic bottles and accounts for 43% of total recycled material samples. Recycled polyester uses up to 50% less energy and saves plastic from landfill.

Recycled Cotton

Recycled cotton is made from textile offcuts and old garments. While cotton is one of the easiest fabrics to recycle, the process creates lower quality products that often require blending with virgin cotton[2][4]. Recycled cotton was found in 13% of total recycled material samples.

Recycled Nylon

Recycled nylon is made from old fishing nets and other post-consumer nylon waste. It is a durable material suitable for activewear and swimwear.

Recycled Wool

Recycled wool comes from old woolen jumpers, carpets, and bedding. It diverts these materials from landfill and uses less water and energy in manufacturing compared to virgin wool. Recycled wool was found in 13.8% of autumn/winter 2023-24 collection samples.

Other recycled materials like polyamide, cotton, and natural fibers are also used, but to a lesser extent. The key challenge is that most clothing is made from blended fabrics, making recycling more difficult and costly.