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The textile industry is one of the most polluting in the world. Each year, this industry emits 1.7 billion tons of CO2. Textiles are not only harmful to our planet, they are also one of the least recycled materials in the world. Less than 1% of clothing is recycled today.

But it is not too late to act!

Recycling your clothes by giving them a second life helps to reduce your environmental impact and your carbon footprint.

How to recycle your clothes?

We suggest some tips to extend the life and recycle your clothes.

• Wash your clothes at 30°. Contrary to popular belief, washing at 30° washes just as well and does much less damage to the fabric. The advantage of washing your clothes at a low temperature is that it causes less damage to your clothes and therefore prolongs their life.

• Choose an eco-responsible detergent. The majority of detergents sold in supermarkets contain undesirable chemicals (sulfates, phenol perfumes…). These are the chemicals that end up in our sewers and eventually pollute our oceans. Eco-responsible detergents contain natural ingredients that are environmentally friendly. Moreover, these detergents do not attack the skin and do not cause itching.

• Keep your labels. Don’t throw away your labels, they contain important information about the composition of the garment, its origin and its care. This information will help you prolong the life of your clothes by maintaining them in the right way. Pay attention to the origin of your clothes, prefer products from neighboring countries to reduce the environmental impact of transport.

• Keep the buttons and zippers. Undo the buttons and zippers on your jackets and vests to give them a second life. Did you know that this haberdashery is complicated to destroy and requires a lot of energy. So to avoid the emission of Co2 for only a few buttons and a zipper, consider removing them from the garment and keep them preciously in your sewing box! And if you don’t know what to do with them, you can always donate them to local haberdashers.

• Think about textile collection bins. If you don’t know what to do with the clothes you no longer wear, find out about the different spaces dedicated to collecting clothes. In France, there are several associations such as Emmaüs or the Croix-rouge that recover and give them to people in need. You can also bring them to thrift stores if your clothes are in good condition.

You know everything there is to know about the care and recycling of your clothes. By recycling your clothes you are helping to create a more sustainable world!

If you liked this article, you will surely like our article on sustainable fashion.

That’s why CircularPlace has developed a marketplace allowing the resale of your non-food waste between professionals, and puts you in touch with non-profit organizations to recover your products.

You can also opt for a white label solution that will allow your company to circularize your equipment internally and to engage your employees around ecological themes.

Don’t throw away any more, opt for the second hand!