Recycle your Clothes

Take a bite out of consumer excess by recycling your clothes. The clothing in your wardrobe like the food in your fridge is derived mostly from natural materials, like wool, cotton, leather, and so on, which needs to be generated by plants or animals, harvested, processed in factories, and then transported to outlets across the world.

It may not be obvious, but every step of the way the clothing industry like any other is contributing to the major problems threatening the planet.

Making sure your clothes are being used to their full potential is a good way to reduce needless waste and excessive exploitation of natural resources.

Take a look through your closet. Chances are there are things you don't wear anymore. Get them back into circulation ... give that old sweater to a friend. Or donate those jeans that never fit very well to a charity or a second-hand shop. If you think you could get some money for them, hold a garage sale, or post your higher-quality items jackets, boots, whatever for sale through a community listings portal.

Buy recycled clothes. Second-hand shops and thrift stores have great deals on nearly-new clothing; you'll be amazed what you can find. This way you're supporting small businesses and community charities, and you're increasing the lifespan of an article of clothing.

You can even recycle clothes that are past their prime. Stretched or damaged clothes, socks with holes in them things like this can be sent to textile recycling organizations, where they'll be broken down and rebuilt into new textile-based products. Most cities will have a textile recycling drop-off; you just have to find out where it is.

Better there than in a landfill.

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