A guide to recycling fashion in a sustainable way

By Martina Nováková

No matter how sustainable or minimal you are with your wardrobe, the time will always come when some fashion pieces need to go. We might all remember the odd season when Marie Kondo made kissing clothes goodbye a global trend, and many charity shops and textile recycling bins couldn’t take the increased load of preloved items. While these are legitimate ways of recycling fashion, some options are more sustainable than others. Here’s our guide to recycling your clothing in the most sustainable ways possible.

The recycling checklist

Imagine this situation: you decided to reduce your wardrobe because you can’t take the overload anymore. You’ve gathered a pile of clothing that you haven’t worn in ages. While some can be hard to let go, you know it’s time. What to do now? Now, this recycling checklist comes in handy. Take each item and ask these questions:

Is the piece good enough to sell to someone else?

If there is a tag or the piece is from a well-known brand, the chances are you can quickly sell it online to a happy buyer. While you have to put some effort into this solution—from taking the photos to setting up the profile on the second-hand webshop, this option is the most sustainable of them all – you will know the garment will be used happily again. Check what reselling websites are most popular in your country, but we can wholeheartedly recommend Vinted or Depop.

Is this clothing good enough to bring to a swap party or swap it online?

If you don’t feel comfortable asking for money for one particular piece of clothing, would it be good enough to swap it for something else? Again, that is a zero-waste option where you exchange something you don’t want for a fashion garment you need. And if you’re not sure, try it anyway—you never know who’s on the lookout for your worn-out leather jacket.

You never know who’s on the lookout for your worn-out leather jacket.

Is the fashion item good enough to give away to someone else?

Okay, you deemed it not cool enough to swap. Is there anyone else who can use it? The piece might be more functional than trendy – what about your less trendy-sensitive friends? Or there might be a call to gather clothing for refugees or low-income families. Would that be an option? Do quick research into this alternative.

Is this garment possible to upcycle?

If there is a small hole or forever stain, you can’t give it away. But that piece might be the perfect candidate for upcycling. From embroidery to iron patches, the sky’s the limit. This possibility also works for your more sentimental items—those that you can’t just let go of, no matter their state. Maybe with a little crafting, you’ll wear them again in no time.

Does it make sense to use a clothing recycling bin?

The hard truth comes next. You exhausted all the options, and they did not work or fit. Will the clothing recycling bin nearby make sense? While it is a viable option for recycling fashion, you should not be too quick to leave your clothes there. It’s no surprise they’ve got quite some inventory and are not in desperate need of having more. The thing is some garments are ideal to down-cycle. For instance, cut an old t-shirt in pieces and use it as a cleaning cloth—or anything that might be useful in your household. If the fabric doesn’t work for these purposes, leave it at the textile bin near you with a clean conscience. You did everything that you could, and they’ll make sure it won’t go to waste.

Let the recycling begin

You took one essential step: you were curious enough to read this guide. Whether you need to recycle your clothing this week or a year from now, apply this checklist to make this inevitable fashion project as sustainable as possible. Good luck!