Since lockdown, I felt the emergency of arranging my room. So I decided to start with my closet. While cleaning it out, I found a large number of unused T-shirts. Some of them just did not fit me anymore. Others were a bit riped out or simply old-fashioned.

I am used to spending a lot of money for my outfits. Because they are cheap, easy to wear and to wash, I am particularly fond of T-shirts. I guess that’s why my wardrobe is full of various colorful T-shirts.

Unfortunately, no matter what we do, clothing is not made everlasting. At some point, after several uses, washing, and drying, T-shirts start to get worn out and dirty. You do not want to wander outside with an old-looking T-shirt.

Because of their emotional value, it seemed impossible for me to just throw them away in the garbage.  I hate wasting things. Besides, most of my unused clothes were too nasty for donations. So the idea of reducing, reusing, and recycling came to my mind. Why not turning these unwanted pieces of clothes into something useful!

Actually, there are many things we can do with abandoned outfits. We can sell them or donate to people in need. Speaking for myself, I have chosen to put a part of my unused T-shirts aside for recycling aims. It surely involves a little extra work but I was all set for recycling. Let me tell you why.

Why is clothing recycling important?

A great green action toward the environment

Items of clothing are generally made of organic fabrics (linen, cotton…). Unfortunately, these kinds of materials are non-biodegradable. When thrown away in landfills, they produce methane which is very harmful to our planet. As a matter of fact, recycling clothes reduce greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

Saving landfill spaces

Not only do landfill spaces affect our health and our precious environment. They also induce important budgets to municipalities. Besides, these large spaces can be used for public infrastructure constructions such as hospitals, schools, roads…instead.

Avoiding wastes

We invest time and money in buying clothes. Plus, their manufacturing process involved human efforts and a high amount of energy (electricity, water…). Simply getting rid of them would be a pity. Recycling clothes, therefore, raise our human responsibilities in avoiding wastes.

Therefore, recycling clothes is playing a huge stake in saving humankind. Several players are taking up this challenge all around the world these days. But who are they?

How does clothes recycling affect the world we are living in?

Contribution of textile recycling companies

Many companies are nowadays specializing in textile recycling. They collect old clothes from individuals. These textiles are recycled to create higher-value articles afterward. For example, Infinite Fiber Company manufactures new fibers from textile waste.  An innovative factory that uses relevant technology to allow textile waste being used, again and again, preserving their top-quality.

Clothes recycling: animal shelters’ commitment

Animal shelters also collect and use old clothes and other used textiles.  They are intended for animals in their care. For instance, some tissues are served as cleaning towels. While others are perfect as beds and blankets for the pets.

Discount stores’ efforts for clothes recycling

Some stores offer interesting discounts in exchange for used or old clothes. This is the case of H&M and Madewell. Sometimes, they give a bonus for clothes purchased to their stores the same day. Do not hesitate to search for nearby stores that collect used clothes through web browsing.

Therefore, more and more companies are joining this movement all over the world. Nevertheless, the recycling process can also start, from individuals, from their home. DIY lifestyle has involved great progress regarding clothes reusing.

DIY and clothing reuse

Making high-value articles by ourselves

DIY (Do It Yourself) concept is currently conquering many designers’hearts. Indeed, consumers are eager when it comes to low-cost lifestyle. Is spending time and money buying stuff that can easily be made at home worth it? Plus, home resources can be used to create countless and valuable DIY items.

Examples of DIY items made from clothing

Our pieces of clothes can be reused for several purposes. From stretching used clothes over a canvas to making a patchwork poster. Clothing offers endless possibilities regarding handmade artworks. For example, you can transform socks into adorable sock monkeys.

Getting rid of old t-shirts in an eco-friendly way

These priceless forms of creativity lead us to today’s DIY tutorial: how to recycle our old T-shirts into nice tote bags? T-shirts are perfect for creating cute tote bags. An eco-friendly way of recycling your old t-shirts.

With a homemade tote bag, you do not have to take out plastic or brown paper bags from the grocery store. No need to waste money and resources on store-bought reusable bags. These bags are often made of plastic, which is dangerous for the environment. So now is the perfect time for going into green.

Start your homemade tote bag now!