Did you know that the average Australian buys 56 clothes in a year and discards 23kg of clothing and textiles into a landfill every year?
According to Clean Up Australia, Australia has become the second-highest consumer of textiles per person. As a result, textile waste has been identified as one of the contributors to Australia’s waste problem.
If this is what your brand is trying to address and has made you think about sustainable ways to dispose of your apparel and unwanted textiles, stay and read on, as this blog might answer your questions.
Recently, a new wave of sustainable practices has been developed and implemented with a strong focus on recycling and reusing clothing and unwanted textiles. Some of these sustainable practices include the following:
Textile Recycling Centers
These centers are very important for keeping unwanted clothing and textiles out of landfills. Textiles are taken to these sites, sorted, and processed so that they can be turned into fibers that can be used to make new fabrics and more sustainable products. These centers also utilise their sustainable end-of-life solutions, ensuring that the individual raw materials are safe to be reused in the textile industry.
Upcycling Workshops
Upcycling workshops are a creative way to give old clothes and textiles a new life. Through cutting, sewing, and adding stylish elements like buttons and embroidered patches, these classes teach consumers how to turn old clothes into new, stylish ones. By upcycling, people can make their own customised clothes and reduce waste at the same time.
Clothing Swaps
Clothing swaps are a fun and eco-friendly way to give your consumers’ wardrobes a new look. People bring unwanted clothes and trade with others, which gives their old clothes a new home. These events allow eco-conscious consumers not only to meet people with the same values but also provide a venue for them to exchange thoughts and ideas on clothing recycling and reusing.
Donations
Donating clothing and textiles to those in need goes a long way, even more than helping those who are in need. You may consider partnering with charitable orgranisations to ensure that your donated clothing and textiles are distributed and put to good use. Before donating, always make sure that the items are still in decent and usable condition, too. By donating, you are not just helping people in need but also reducing your brand’s impact on textile waste production.
Fiber-to-fiber Recycling
In this type of closed-loop recycling, fabrics are broken down into their raw fibers like polyester, cotton, and nylon, which are then spun into new yarns for textiles. This method makes it possible to make new fabrics, clothes, and other textile products without using newly sourced materials. This saves resources and cuts down on waste.
Corporate Recycling Programs
To properly handle their textile waste, some businesses have set up corporate recycling programs. As part of these programs, employees' unwanted clothes are often picked up, recycled, or given to charity to help reduce the company's environmental impact.
Educational Campaigns
Carefully planned educational campaigns can help consumers understand how important it is to recycle and reuse clothes and textile products. By educating consumers about the negative environmental effects of fast fashion and emphasising the benefits of sustainable practices, brands can encourage more consumers to recycle and reuse their clothing. Campaigns like this can also empower consumers to make informed decisions when it comes to recycling and reusing their branded apparel in the future.
The rapid growth of today’s fashion industry calls for brands to develop and implement sustainable solutions to reduce textile waste production. It is also equally important to educate consumers about this concern, so they can also do their part in making the fashion industry sustainable in the coming years.
Let us always remember that saving the planet and leaving future generations a sustainable home they can enjoy is a massive collective effort. At Over the Top Promotions, we believe that if you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far and do more for the common good and the planet, go together.