Getting rid of clothes—The right way
Cleaning out the closet is always a task, especially when it comes to finding the right way to get rid of clothes you no longer want or need. Being a conscious consumer isn’t limited to how you obtain clothing—it also includes what you do with that clothing when you’re done with it. Here at Dressember, we don’t think that should be a daunting task, which is why we are giving you tips and tricks on how to repurpose, resell or even recycle some of your old clothes.
In trying not to be wasteful or damaging our environment, dumping an old bag of clothes in the trash can be easy—out of sight, out of mind—but those items can definitely end up in landfills and hurt the environment, releasing toxins into the soil and water and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Fibers like cotton rely on heavy pesticide use and can damage the soil and water. The fashion industry has massively detrimental effects on the planet.
On average, individual Americans will toss out around 80 pounds of clothing a year, which amounts to 26 billion pounds of textiles and clothes ending up in landfills. Here are some ways that you can get rid of garments ethically.
Organize a clothing swap
If you’re looking for an opportunity to hang out with friends and make sure your clothes get a new life, considering organizing a clothing swap with a couple of friends. Each of your friends can bring garments they were originally looking to get rid of, and you can exchange clothes.
This is even an opportunity to give one of your friends one of your favorite garments, whether that be your favorite t-shirt that you have outgrown or your favorite sweater. That way, you’ll ensure your well-loved clothing ends up with someone who will wear it.
Sell your clothes online
You’d be surprised at how easy it is to sell clothes online through social media apps. After creating an account, you can take photos of some of the garments you’re trying to get rid of.
Some popular apps that help with selling clothes online other than Instagram are Poshmark, Depop and Tradesy. Some free online resources are The Freecycle Network, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
Donate to local charities/shelters
Doing a quick Google search, you might be able to find homeless shelters around your town or city that can be a good place to take some of your old garments. This is an opportunity to help out your community and those who are in desperate need of clothing, especially in the upcoming winter months.
Local community garage sales, thrift stores and consignment stores can put some money in your pocket and can help someone buy some of your items at a cheaper price.
Design/Transform your garments
Sometimes your favorite pair of jeans can be patched up with some cool design. Consider even reusing some of your clothes as tissues or cleaning rags. You can even get crafty and make DIY projects with some of the items.
Recycle/Compost
Yes, this can be such a simple concept, but it makes a difference. Not only does it help make cleaning out the closet easier, but it helps you think responsibly about your purchase.
Look into some companies that accept textiles for recycling. Popular brands like Nike, Levi’s, and H&M are known to have bins within their stores where you can recycle some items. You can even purchase a TerraCycle box to collect fabrics to be recycled appropriately.
About the Author
Daniela (D) Molina is a Cuban gal pursuing a M.S. in Journalism at Indiana University. Since she was young she knew that words had power. She absolutely loves moths and is proud to speak Spanish with whoever she meets.