New York State residents and businesses donate, recycle, or sell used clothing and other textiles through charitable organizations, reuse centers, community drop off bins and online or brick and mortar consignment shops. That's great! But did you know that every year New York State residents and businesses throw away almost 1.4 billion pounds of textiles, including: clothing, footwear, belts, hats, handbags, drapes, towels, sheets and other linens that could be reused or recycled?
In the United States, textile waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams with the average person throwing away 81 lbs of clothing each year. While we recycle around 15% of post-consumer textiles, that means 85% of our used clothing and other textiles are ending up as waste in landfills and incinerators when the majority of these materials can be reused or recycled providing social, environmental, and economic benefits.
The secondhand market for textiles has been growing rapidly and there are new outlets like online consignment shops and reused gear shops for outerwear/gear, etc.
The Benefits of Reusing and Recycling Textiles
Environmental benefits:
Textile recycling:
- Decreases the amount of valuable materials going to landfills and incinerators.
- Reduces greenhouse gases; greenhouse gas emissions from textile production totals 1.2 billion metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent, more than emissions from international flights and maritime shipping combined.
- Saves natural resources, including water and petroleum; and
- Reduces toxins from pesticides, herbicides, dyes and other harsh chemicals used in textile production. Cotton is the most pesticide-dependent crop in the world.
Economic benefits:
- Textile recycling creates jobs! The potential market value of all these discarded materials is almost $130 million, with over 1,000 jobs that would be created across NY state if these materials were recovered for reuse and recycling instead of being thrown away.
- Keeping used textiles out of the trash reduces disposal costs for local governments, businesses and residents.
- Allows valuable materials to remain in the supply chain to create sustainable products
More information on textile recycling can be found on the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles website.
What You Can Donate?
It is estimated that 95% of all used clothing, footwear and other cloth household products such as sheets, towels, curtains, and pillowcases can be reused or recycled.
Even if items are torn… stained… are missing buttons… have broken zippers, etc., they can still be recycled. As long as the items are clean, dry and free of oil/grease and odors (not stained with solvents such as gasoline) many textiles can be dropped off at collection locations to be recycled.
Items can be any style, age or condition (even stained and torn items, but remember they need to be dry):
Clothing: Shirts, pants, jackets, suits, hats, belts, ties, gloves, scarves, socks (even single ones) undergarments, handbags and backpacks.
Footwear: Shoes, sandals, sneakers, cleats, boots, flip-flops, and slippers
Household textiles: Curtains, drapes, sheets, blankets, comforters, towels, table linens, throw rugs, pillows, stuffed dolls and animals.
Where To Take Your Textiles for Reuse and Recycling
You can bring your reusable and recyclable clothing to:
- local charities;
- drop-off bins that are located throughout your community;
- private clothing recyclers;
- local transfer station; and
- special textile recycling events.
Call first to make sure they are collecting and what items are accepted. And remember - Textiles like clothing and shoes cannot be recycled if placed in your home recycling bin with your bottles, jars, cans, and paper. Textiles require separate recycling programs.
You can also go to website of the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling for more locations and information about textiles recycling in NY.
Textiles End Destination
20% of post-consumer clothing, footwear, and household textiles are sold in thrift stores where they generate revenue for charitable organizations.
Of the 80% that’s left:
45% are reused as clothing. Some items are baled and sold to brokers and graders who sell to overseas markets
20% are recycled into fibers to make home insulation, carpet padding, raw material for the automotive industry and more
30% are reused as wiping cloths for various industrial or residential applications.
Items You Can't Donate?
No large rugs, carpeting or items stained with blood or grease/oil or items that are wet, moldy, or dirty.
Other Ways to Reduce Environmental Impacts from Textiles
Patching, stitching, darning, or otherwise fixing clothing and other textiles is another great way you can reduce your impact on the environment by getting the most life possible out of the textiles you own.
Selling high quality items you own at retail or online consignment shops.
Purchasing clothing and textiles from thrift stores, consignment shops, and businesses that sell gently used clothing and other goods online.
Purchase clothing and other textiles made with recycled content and more sustainable materials if possible.
Buy less. If you tend to purchase a lot of clothing and household textiles, considering purchasing less to reduce your environmental impact. Some businesses also offer clothing rental services or online clothing rental subscriptions.
Read about how you can reduce microfibers from textiles from entering the environment.
