Re-use and recycle
Many US-based apparel companies have jumped into the fray and optedRecycling 3 for recycling old clothes. As Ira Baseman, Owner of Community Recycling points out, unlike glass, paper, aluminium and cardboard, there’s a personal contact with their clothing and footwear, so, with re-use, the piece of clothing or pair of shoes can have an extended life. Los Angeles-based Reformation and Baseman’s company together launched a programme called RefRecycling where one can get free shipping labels, pack up the clothing items no longer wanted and send them away for free. Reformation runs the first sustainable sewing factory in the US.
In fact, top brands such as H&M and American Eagle Outfitters are collecting used clothes and recycling them either through donations to thrift stores or breaking down the garments to be remade into new clothes or other products. According to Reformation and Community Recycling, each year, only 15 percent clothes, shoes and accessories are recycled. The remaining 85 per cent, or 10.5 million tons, end up in landfills.
Yael Aflalo, Founder of Reformation says they are always trying to think of new ways of becoming a more sustainable company and with RefRecycling they can also help their customers to be more sustainable. Ensuring that the clothes people buy are made sustainably is a priority for them however, it's also important to help them with garment care and what to do with their old clothes when they're over them—and to make that as easy as it possibly can be.
The box comes with a free shipping label so you can send back items you want to recycle, when you buy from Reformation. Americans throw away 68 pounds of clothing and textiles per person say experts, each year, though all of it could be reused or recycled. Agreeing with Aflalo, Baseman says awareness needs to be raised about what to do with unwanted clothing, shoes and accessories because they are wanted items whether they will be worn by someone else or used to create something new. Thus, she says, every donation helps.
Affordable homes through clothes
Since January last year, US-based I:Collect has been gathering clothes and shoes for reuse. American Eagle Outfitters launched a program in April for Earth Day to recycle used and unwanted denim into building materials for affordable homes for Make It Right together with I:Co. Founded by actor Brad Pitt, the charity builds sustainable, affordable homes, buildings and communities for people in need. Thousands of recycled denim was collected by American Eagle Outfitters to insulate 34 homes.
Helga Ying, American Eagle Outfitters Vice-President of external engagement and social responsibility opines the partnership underscored their commitment to eliminate waste and preserve vital resources, while enabling their customers to become involved in their sustainability efforts and to truly close the loop on the textile waste cycle.
Cesar Rodriguez, Make It Right's products director feels the jeans will provide safe, sustainable installation, which is an important part of Make It Right's high-performance, solar-powered homes.
There are others too who are committed to the cause such as Neiman Marcus, whose Real Real, a consignment website lets customers turn in designer items, which weren't even purchased at the store. In turn they get paid in Neiman Marcus gift cards and earn an extra 10 percent.
Experts say recycling and reuse of clothing is on the rise as more brands are launching take-back programs, and consumers now are asking companies to be responsible for the entire life of the products they manufacture.
