Recycling clothes is a great way to reduce waste, save money, and do something good for the environment. But how much do you actually know about recycling clothes? Here are 10 facts about recycling clothes that will make you think twice about throwing your old clothes away. From the amount of clothes that can be recycled, to the positive effects it can have on the environment, this list is filled with interesting facts about recycling clothes that you should know.
1. Recycling your clothes will help people in need!
Did you know that recycling your clothes can help people in need?
Some clothes will be sent to other countries to offer affordable clothing.
It can also help people in the UK who are in need of clothes.
2. Recycling reduces landfill.
Around 360,000 tonnes of clothes are thrown away every year in the UK.
The clothes are usually used but still wearable.
They go into landfill even though they don’t need to.
3. You can use your clothes to make new ones.
Channel your inner fashion designer!
Get some old clothes that you don’t want anymore and reimagine them.
You could turn your old jeans into some shorts for the summer.
… or you could turn a dress into a top and skirt!
Learn how clothes were made in the past!
4. Recycling clothes will help charities!
When having a clear out, make sure you think of charity shops!
There are lots scattered all over the UK.
The charity shops support hundreds of charities in the UK and around the world.
You can donate your unwanted clothes and belongings to them. They then sell them and make money for their charity.
If you’re looking for some new fashion, why not try and shop in a charity shop?
One person’s junk is another person’s treasure!
5. There are thousands of clothing banks in the UK.
There are thousands of clothing banks across the UK.
It is an easy way to donate to charity as you can find them in car parks.
Next time you’re at a supermarket, keep a look out!
They look like big, metal bins.
6. Clothes can take up to 200 years to decompose.
Did you know that some of our clothes can take up to 200 years to decompose?
It depends what material they are made out of.
For example, a cotton t-shirt takes a few months.
However, if you add polyester to the mix then it can take up to 200 years!
7. You can recycle any fabric!
Never throw old clothes or fabric in the bin.
They can all be recycled. Even your old pants and socks!
If they can’t be worn again, they can be turned into something else.
8. Around 70% of the world wears secondhand clothing.
Lots of us wear secondhand clothing all over the world!
Plus, with the popularity of apps and websites such as eBay, Depop and Vinted, it is becoming more and more popular!
You can get the fashion you want at a fraction of the price.
9. 11 million items of clothing go to landfill in the UK every week.
According to London Recycles, 11 million items of clothing go into landfill every week.
That is just in the UK!
Imagine how many items there are in the whole world…
10. Fast fashion is one of the main problems.
One of the main problems of clothing in landfills is fast fashion.
Due to styles changing all of the time, clothing retailers take part in fast fashion.
They bring out many different styles, every few weeks.
Their customers buy multiple items all of the time to stay fashionable.
Customers will buy more clothes each time the fashion changes.
This results in them not wearing their old clothes and getting rid of them at a really fast rate. Some items might only be worn once!
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