Have you been bitten by the summer cleaning bug? Feeling like you want to purge and start all over? You are not alone.
Summer is a prime season for purging all of your unwanted goods. Whether you are donating clothes to a cause or simply getting rid of worn and used clothing, it’s important to note that Americans generate 16 million tons of textile waste a year, as reported by the EPA. This means all your clothing and household items end up in a landfill somewhere.
Before you start your clean-out process, understand your options so you can do yourself and the earth a favor. You’d be surprised by how you can recycle old, worn fabric.
Donate first
The easiest way to get rid of your unwanted items is to drop them off at a local charity shop. It’s tempting to throw unwanted items in the trash, but most of these items can be donated or upcycled instead of ending up in a landfill. Consider donating these items before discarding them. If the items you have are beyond repair for a thrift store or charity, keep reading to explore more options. Remember to make sure that your unwanted items are still in good condition. Donations do not equal garbage.
Try selling online or at a garage sale
This is a win-win situation. Your items get a second life, and you get some extra money in your pocket. Sort through your clothes and pack the ones that are not too worn, old, or broken into a box for resale at a local buyback shop, online, or at a garage sale.
ForDays Take Back Bag
ForDays offers a clothing recycling bag called the Take Back Bag, perfect for summer. According to ForDays, the Take Back Bag is here to start a circular revolution and put an end to fashion waste. All you have to do is order a Take Back Bag, clean out your closet, and send back your filled bag. You’ll receive $20 in closet cash to shop at their sustainable store, and your old clothes will get a new life.
Upcycle
Upcycling allows you to take something that would normally be discarded and turn it into something new. Get creative! An old jeans hanger could become your new poster hanger. There are many ways to upcycle clothing. Consider a few of these options before heading toward the trash can:
- Repair any torn or worn clothing with patches.
- Dye or paint old clothes to give them a fresh look.
- Take any clothes that don’t fit to a tailor.
- Give clothing items to an animal shelter.
- Repurpose them into cleaning cloths (t-shirts are great for this!).
- Create something new.
Now we are ready to take on summer cleaning with these simple ways to green up your cleanup! Is that refreshing summer air leaving you inspired to make an impact?