When it comes to clothes that are no longer in great condition, there are plenty of options for what to do with them. From recycling textiles to making T-shirt bags, we have compiled a list of 14 creative ways you can repurpose your old clothes that you can't donate. Recycling textiles is an environmentally friendly and budget-friendly option. There are many companies that recycle and upcycle textiles, so you can take or send your old clothes to them.
Textiles account for an estimated 5 percent of U. S. landfills, and Americans throw away textiles at an alarming rate of 70 pounds per person per year. If you have friends or family members with young children, second-hand items are a great option.
Companies like For Days and TerraCycle advocate for the redistribution of profits from what they recycle in the supply chain, training second-hand sellers in the repair of clothing and donating profits from the resale of old textiles to clothing workers who manufacture the brands' clothing. It is better to choose a company that specifies the amount of clothing it recycles annually than one that promises to make recycling a priority within a decade. Another great option is donating your clothes if they are already in good condition. Soles4Souls is one of those programs that provides donated clothing and shoes to people in low-income areas so that they can resell the items in their communities. Here is a list of 14 things you can do with old clothes that you can't donate:
- Make a T-shirt bag
- Create a quilt
- Make a pillow
- Turn it into a rug
- Make a scarf
- Create a headband
- Make a pet bed
- Turn it into a purse
- Make a hat
- Create wall art
- Make jewelry
- Turn it into a plant holder
- Make a wreath
- Create a stuffed animal
