Why Should We Recycle Textiles

Why We Should Recycle Textiles

More than a million tons of textiles are thrown away each year, most of it by households rather than industry. With so many recycling centers, charities and collection projects now accepting textile goods, there is no need for this excessive waste. Clothing, shoes, blankets, curtains and other items made from fabric can be reused if they are in good condition or converted into new products if they are damaged or worn. Here are a few good reasons why we should recycle textiles.

Help those in need

Most of the facilities that recycle textiles pass on any clothing still in wearable condition to the people who need it most. Local and national charities either distribute wearable items directly to the poor or homeless, or sell them on at low cost in shops whose profits go to good causes. Second hand clothing may also be sent to impoverished people in third world countries or given to aid agencies for distribution during emergencies or national disasters.

Reduce environmental pollution

Discarded textiles are either sent to landfill sites or waste incinerators. In either case, they can produce toxins which pollute the water we drink and the air we breathe. As textiles decompose in landfills they can contaminate groundwater with leachate and ammonia. Some fibres also produce methane gas as they decay, contributing to global warming. Large quantities of textile waste are incinerated each year, releasing harmful substances such as dioxins and acidic gases into the air.

Conserve resources

It's fairly obvious that recycling wearable clothes lowers the amount of resources that go into making new ones. If your unwanted pair of jeans goes on to be worn by someone else, less land, water and fertiliser has to be invested in cotton growing. What is not so obvious is the amount of resources saved in reconverting fibres from damaged, unusable textiles into new products. For instance, the production of yarn from raw wool uses large volumes of water which are not necessary for recycling woollen garments into yarn.

Save Energy

Every kilogram of textiles that is recycled saves the equivalent of 3 kilograms of CO2. It takes significantly less energy to produce new products from recycled textiles than it does from raw materials. For example, reclaimed garments are sorted by color so that fabrics produced from them don't have to be dyed. Recycling also reduces the amount of clothing imported from abroad and the energy involved in transportation.

Increase your storage space

Recycling your unused textiles is one of the easiest ways you can help to make the world a better place, and it can help you too Many people have closets packed with clothing that no longer fits, or cupboards filled with curtains, towels or bedding that no longer match their decor. Sorting through your textiles and recycling those you haven't used in the past year can create space and reduce household clutter.

So in brief you now have a better understanding why is so important for the future of our world.

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