Textile Recycling Tips To Save the Earth

With Earth Day around the corner, it’s the perfect time to have a heart-to-heart about textile waste—and what you can do to reduce it. As a Certified Professional Organizer, one thing I see all the time is excess clothing, towels, and linens that are clogging up clients’ closets and often are destined for the landfill.

Here are two wild (and sobering) statistics:

The average American throws away 82 pounds of textile waste every year. That’s roughly the weight of an average 12-year-old!  And that is per person…per year.

And the world consumes 80 Billion NEW pieces of clothing a YEAR!  Thank is 400% more than just 20 years ago!

But there is good news. You CAN do something about it, starting today.

Let’s walk through the three R’s of smart textile management: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

REDUCE: Buy Less, But Better

• The simplest way to cut down on textile waste is to bring fewer new things into your home.
• Try a capsule wardrobe—just a few classic, high-quality pieces you love and wear on repeat.
• Embrace the idea of quality over quantity—skip the $5 tee you’ll wear twice and invest in pieces that will last for years.
• Consider hosting a clothing swap. It’s fun, social, and a great way to refresh your wardrobe for free.

REUSE: Get Creative With What You Wear

• Not everything has to be brand new to be useful or beautiful.
• Try clothing rental services for special events or seasonal trends.
• Shop secondhand from high-end consignment or online shops. Sites like ThredUp (here’s a partner link for 45% and free shipping on your first order) let you filter for "new with tags" if that’s more your comfort zone.
• And remember—even “brand new” items have probably been tried on multiple times in-store!

RECYCLE: Don’t Trash It—Pass It On

Here’s what many people don’t realize: Torn or stained textiles can still be recycled. And you may be rewarded! 

• Goodwill accepts worn clothing and linens marked "RAGS" in a separate bag. They’ll recycle them responsibly.
• Zappos for Good offers FREE mail-in recycling for textiles, clothing, and shoes.
• Purchasing a Take Back Bag from Trashie, is a sustainable way to recycle your unwanted textiles and earn rewards.
• H&M offers a 15% off coupon when you drop off any old clothes in-store, while Madewell gives you $20 off new jeans when you recycle your old denim (any brand) in-store or by mail.
• Find a HELPSY bin near you, and they will resell, reuse, or recycle - even underwear! 
• Explore purchasing recycling bags from RETOLD. Or recycle textiles and so much more at RIDWELL. 

When we’re thoughtful about how we shop and how we part with our stuff, it’s a win-win: less clutter for us, and less waste for the planet.

So take a peek in your closet or linen drawer. Could some of those items be recycled instead of tossed? Small steps make a big difference, and you'll feel good knowing you’re doing your part.