If you have old clothes that cannot be donated, there are several ways to recycle, rehome, and repurpose them. Here are some ideas:
- Cut or tear your old clothes up and make them into rags for cleaning.
- Dye the fabric and turn it into something usable like a hair elastic or headband.
- Use the textiles as pillow stuffing.
- Wear old stained or damaged clothing for painting projects or other dirty tasks like yardwork.
- Practice sewing or patch repair.
Before jumping to recycling, it is best to explore alternatives to traditional recycling. The goal is to keep the item in use for as long as possible, without dramatic industrial intervention or sending it to landfill. Often, this looks like re-purposing the garment for yourself or directly ensuring the piece is rehomed usefully. If you want to recycle your old clothes, there are several options available. You can buy a collection box and send your clothes to be recycled, reused, and repurposed with Upparel. You can also find a Diabetes Canada blue box that says “Textile” or check with your local recycling program about textile recycling options. However, not all textile recycling programs live up to their promises, so it is essential to vet these options to be confident that you are recycling your old clothes in a responsible way.
