How to RECYCLE YOUR OLD CLOTHES

Most people think donation bins solve textile waste. They don’t. Roughly 80–90% of clothing donated in the U.S. never gets worn again. SAD! Items that are torn, stained, stretched, or simply unsellable usually end up exported or landfilled (which is why you should NEVER donate clothes you wouldn’t buy yourself) 

That’s where true textile recyclers come in. Companies built specifically to handle clothes at the end of their life. They usually take the clothes & harvest the saveable & reusable material & break down the rest to make insulation for homes, soaking up oil spills, or other industrial needs! 

Below are 5 companies that I’m aware of that make sure fabric is reused, broken down, or remade instead of buried. & tossed in the trash! (& yes, they even take shoes). & SOME of these companies offer “cash credits” that you can use at various sustainable stores or even on UBER & Lyft rides! 

Retold Recycling- You order a take-back bag, fill it with any textiles, ship it back, & they sort every item into reuse streams. Materials become wiping cloths, insulation, fiber fill, or industrial textiles. Nothing is thrown away, even single socks or worn underwear. They also reward you with points after each return!

https://www.retoldrecycling.com

For Days Take Back Bag- I actually used to buy from ForDays all the time when I first started on my sustainability journey! They’re awesome! & every time you return a bag full of recyclable clothes, they give you $20 you can use in their shop! 

https://fordays.com

TerraCycle Fabric & Clothing Box- TerraCycle handles materials most systems reject, especially blended fibers. Instead of donation sorting, items are mechanically processed into raw material pellets used for construction products, park benches, & industrial applications. This is one of the highest diversion options available, though the box is paid because the recycling process is intensive. 

https://www.terracycle.com

SuperCircle- SuperCircle operates behind the scenes for many sustainable clothing brands. When a brand offers a mail-back recycling label, there’s a good chance SuperCircle processes it. They separate fibers, recover usable textiles, & turn the rest into recycled yarn or industrial materials. It’s a large scale circular infrastructure rather than a consumer facing resale program. So if you have A LOT of clothes, this option is for you! 

https://www.supercircle.world

ThredUp Recycle Kits- i’ve actually only bought clothes from thread up. I’ve never used their recycling program, but I hear from the reviews that it is a great option and easy to go about! They also give cash back, rewards to some of the top sustainable brands on the market like PACT, & MATE THE LABEL! 

https://www.thredup.com