Throwing out old clothes when you no longer want or need them might not seem like such a big deal, but clothing waste is actually one of the fastest-growing environmental problems on the planet, which means we should all think more about what we do with clothes when we no longer want them.
Millions of tons of clothing end up in landfills every single year, and much of it will take hundreds of years to decompose, depositing plastics and chemicals into the ground as it does. So, it’s really important that we think more about what we do with our clothes when we’re done with them.
But, what about clothes that are in great shape? The donate vs recycle clothes debate is not so simple when the clothes we are looking to dispose of are less than their best, right? Read on as we explore the topic in more detail.
Why the Recycling Clothes vs Donating Clothes Question Matters
Donating and recycling clothing both help to reduce the amount of textile waste that is generated, but each process serves a different purpose.
Donating gives clothing a second life when the garments are still in wearable condition, while recycling breaks down the textiles in clothes so that the fibers can be woven into new materials.
So, what’s the challenge? Many people end up donating items that are too damaged to actually be resold, and items out that could very well be reused. That’s why it’s so important that we all try to understand the “donate vs recycle clothes” debate. Doing so will ensure that all of our clothes go to the right places, and don’t hurt donation centres (it costs them time and money to sort items that are ultimately unusable) or the environment in the process.
Assess the Condition of the Clothing
Before you choose to donate or recycle, you should take a few moments to evaluate each item honestly to see where it should end up.
Ask yourself the following questions?
Is the item still wearable?
If it can be worn, it should be donated. If you would not wear it or pass it on to a friend, it will need to be recycled.
Is it clean?
Donation centers need clothing to be clean, or they cannot accept it. So if it’s stained, dirty or smelly, it must be recycled.
Does it have damage?
Look for:
- Holes
- Rips
- Broken zippers
- Missing buttons
- Excessive piling
- Stretched-out fabric
- Faded color
Can it be repaired?
If you can sew the zipper back on or repair a seam, then many thrift stores will accept the item, so it does not necessarily need to end up in the trash or recycling center.
What material is it made from?
Natural fibers like cotton and silk are much easier to recycle, whereas blended synthetics can be more difficult.
By carefully assessing the condition of your clothing, you can more confidently decide whether recycling or donating is the most responsible thing to do.
When You Should Donate Clothes
Donating clothing is usually the best option when the item can still be worn and when it is likely that it will be useful for someone else to wear. Donation centers rely on clothing that is gently used being donated to support local families, raise money for community programs and supply thrift stores, so it is a really good thing to do.
Donate clothing that is:
- Clean and odor-free
- Free of major stains
- Intact (no big holes or irreparable tears)
- Functional (seams, zippers, buttons)
- Still in style or a timeless classic
- Gently worn
- New or like new
Don’t donate clothing that is:
- Moldy or water-damaged
- Contaminated with chemicals
- Torn beyond repair
- Infested with insects
- Extremely worn out (threadbare)
Examples of good clothes to donate
- Sweaters with minor piling
- T-shirts with a little fading
- Pants with replaceable buttons
- Seasonal jackets that are still in good shape
- Kids’ clothes with normal wear
Items that are in poor condition can’t be resold, which means the charity often has to spend money to dispose of it. Choosing donation items that are good quality will ensure that all the charity’s resources go towards their intended purpose of helping people and not sorting your trash.
When You Should Recycle Clothes
Recycling is often the better option for clothes when they are either too worn or too damaged to be worn again. It’s a great way to ensure that they do not just end up in landfill, and they can be turned into all kinds of things like:
- Industrial rags
- Carpet padding
- Insulation
- Stuffing for furniture
- New recycled fabrics
Textile recycling gives your old clothes a new lease of life and helps to conserve the planet’s precious resources at the same time, so it’s a win-win.
Recycle clothing that is:
- Torn beyond repair
- Extremely faded
- Stretched out
- Stained (and those stains will not wash out)
- Missing large sections (big rips)
- Worn thin
- No longer functional
Examples of recyclable items
- Socks with holes
- Ripped and stained t-shirts
- Threadbare towels
- Torn jeans that you can’t patch
- Undergarments (must be clean)
- Fabric scraps from sewing projects
Most textile recyclers will accept all fibers, whether they are natural, synthetic or blended; they just have to be clean and dry.
The Gray Area: When Both Are Possible
Sometimes, the recycling clothes vs donating clothes debate is not so simple, and some items might fall into the middle ground. For example:
Slightly damaged items
Some thrift stores will accept these because they have repair programs that will patch, sew and fix clothes before resale.
Upcycling-ready clothing
Some people love to thrift for distressed denim, wool sweaters and vintage pieces that they can use for craft projects, so they don’t mind some damage.
Designer clothing with minor flaws
High-end items are often valuable even with small amounts of damage because sellers like a bargain and they can repair them.
So, if you are unsure what to do, ask your local donation center what their policy is, so that you can make the right choice every time.
Summing Up
As you can see, it’s actually pretty easy to work out what you should sell and what you should donate, but if you are ever in doubt, think about whether you could use the garment again, as that will determine whether donation centres will be able to sell it on pretty effectively most of the time. Donating is great for the planet and great for people, but recycling is great for the planet when it’s the only option, too.
