How to Reduce Textile Waste in 2019.

According to the U.S. EPA, over 15 million tons of used textile waste is generated each year in the United States of America. Of that 15 million tons, an estimated 2.24 million tons are recycled.(2015) Leaving the majority for pollution. Which in turn can cause damage to our water supply through dyes penetrating ground water and off gassing which contributes to our GHG emissions.

It is estimated the average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing every year. Textile waste is the third worst polluter to landfills behind food and plastic waste.

How do we reduce our footprint in 2019?

• THINK - use your brain. Do a mental inventory of what you need in the moment and what you see yourself needing in the future. Our society is consumer based. We all get caught up in wanting and needing new items. My thoughts are to plan ahead. Will that fabric be suitable for the sofa 5 years from now? Will this coat fit and be useful 5 years from now to myself or someone else. Could these tees be used as cleaning cloths or a substitute for the swifter refill? How many shoes do I need? What kind of material are these textiles made from? Will they pollute the environment through our groundwater or off gassing.

It's all a lot to take in. The more you pose and respond to your questions, the more you might be inclined to be more responsible and feel a need to contribute.

Resources:

APPS - @thredup @depop -  Resell or buy second hand.

GOODWILL - I am still warming to the idea and not sure if I will ever really feel comfortable buying others clothing. The musty smell gets to me. So, I compensate in other ways by buying items that will retain their wearing power and purchase less. 

In NYC, Goodwill on 88th and 2nd has great finds as well as Housingworks which are all over the city. My only thought is you might just be purchasing more items, not necessarily what you need? So go... if you need skirts for work but not to just buy more clothes.

Repurpose -  I have to tell you to THINK again.  Recently there has been a fast fashion trend toward repurposing plastic for shoes such as Rothys and Everlane Puffer jackets. No one seems to approach the issue of how toxic plastic emissions are to the environment. The harmful production again far outway's the benefits of having an up cycled pair of plastic shoes. Reformulation and elimination of plastic is the only alternative to not remaking it. That being said, upcycling for jewlery, crafts, etc. is a fabulous idea and there are many selling their wears on Instagram. 

NYC - if you live in or around NYC @grownyc is a great resource for recycling clothes. According to their website, the average New Yorker tosses 46 pounds of clothing and other textiles in the trash each year.  They offer collection at many city farmers markets throughout the city. For example, every Wednesday there is a collection stand at the UN farmers market in midtown.  They also offer information on the Refashion program. It is run by the DSNY(Department of Sanitation) which offers bins to buildings in the NYC area who house ten or more apartments. Grownyc sends these clothes to wearable collections (third party vendor) which sorts and redistributes textiles for anything from rewear to filling for upholstery.

BE WELL WITH THE MORE YOU KNOW IN 2019,
KIM