Sustainable Planet Today

Have you cleaned out your closet lately to discover that you have many outfits that no longer fit, that are out of style or that you simply just don’t want any longer? What about all of those old worn out items that really have no use anymore? What should you do with all these outfits that are just taking up space in your home? Consider recycling. It’s a much better idea than sending these items to the landfill.

It requires a great deal of energy and water to manufacture clothing. When you recycle garments, you cut back on the amount of energy needed to produce new clothing. Some dyes used in garments can also be toxic and for this reason they should not be sent to the landfills.

When it comes to recycling, you have several options to choose from. Some of these are listed below:

Slightly worn items:

• Donate these to the Goodwill, Salvation Army and similar organizations.

• Exchange outfits with family and friends.

• Be a part of community exchanges.

• Hold a garage sale or set up a table at the flea market.

• If you or someone in your home can sew, they can be mended, altered or made into something different.

Worn out clothing:

• These can also be donated to organizations such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill. They will send them to other organizations that will sort through them and recycle the fabric.

• You can use them for crafts and other projects, doll dresses and so much more.

• Turn these items into cleaning rags to use around the house or for washing your vehicle.

Recycling clothing is important and it’s a good way to help do your part when it comes to preserving natural resources. It’s also a good idea to buy recycled clothing whenever you can. Shop around at your local Goodwill, thrift stores and consignment stores. You may even be a little surprised at some of the great deals you can find at garage sales and flea markets.