The Life Cycle of Secondhand Clothing
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The Council for Textile Recycling (CTR) is a non-profit based in the United States that is “dedicated to raising public awareness about the importance of textile recycling and the need to reduce the amount of used clothing and other post-consumer textile waste (PCTW ) being sent to our nation’s landfills.” By the year 2037 the council hopes to have eliminated all textile waste entering our nation’s landfills. And they need your help to do it! People like you can help by donating and/or recycling their used clothes.

You can also help by becoming informed about the key issues. CTR created the following infographic packed with valuable information about used clothing. Take a look:

 

The Life Cycle of Secondhand Clothing

Life Cycle of Secondhand Clothing Infographic by The Council for Textile Recycling, a blog post by EcoGoodz, a mixed rags supplier

In case you can’t view the graphic and/or the words are too small, here’s what it says:

What happens to your donated or recycled used clothing? On average, each American donates or recycles 12 pounds of apparel, footwear, and household textiles. Here’s what happens next…

Once a consumer determines that their clothing, shoes, handbags, or household textiles have reached the end of their useful life, materials are donated to a charity or should be recycled at a municipal recycling center as a final alternative to the landfill.

Charities sell 10-20% of donated used clothing at their thrift locations, earning revenue for their organization.

Left with billions of pounds, charities resell their salvage to recyclers which raises significant revenue and is an alternative to the landfill. Secondhand clothing recyclers sort and separate these materials into three general classifications:

45% REUSED AND REPURPOSED Majority are exported as secondhand clothing.

30% RECYCLED AND CONVERTED Reclaimed wiping rags are used in various ways as industrial and residential absorbents.

20% RECYCLED INTO FIBER Post consumer fiber is used to make home insulation, carpet padding, and raw material for the automotive industry.

ONLY 5% ENDS UP AS WASTE

 

Did you know?

  • Worn or torn, all dry clothing, shoes, and textiles can be donated or recycled.
  • Thrift industry employs nearly 100,000 workers in the U.S. with over $1 billion wages paid. In addition, private sector recyclers create an additional 15,000-20,000 jobs nationally.
  • Most private sector recyclers are small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Every 1000 lbs donated and recycled generates two man days of labor. Primary and secondary recyclers account for annual gross sales in excess of $700 million.
  • Charities and private sector combined handle 3.8 billion pounds annually. These tremendous volumes are recycled and processed due to a highly efficient industry. Your secondhand clothing goes through this process in just 30-60 days.

The textile recycling process follows the conventional recycling maxim of REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!

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The take away? Something we’ve been saying for months: Textiles are not trash! Individually and in bulk, used clothing still has value, even if it is torn or worn. Your donations of gently used clothing mean a great deal to a great many. And your recycling efforts for used clothing items that are torn or stained are much appreciated also!

For more information about used clothing bulk or about the Council for Textile Recycling, you can visit their website.

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