If you’ve finally got around to clearing out your wardrobe, congratulations! In the UK, Wrap estimates that our wardrobes hold a total of 1.6 billion items of unworn clothing, with each person not wearing around a quarter of the items they own for a year. Now you’ve got a pile of old and unwanted clothes you need to get rid of, knowing what to do with them can be difficult.
Instead of just throwing them in the bin, there are plenty of things you can do with them that are either environmentally friendly, could earn you some cash, or both!
Don’t Just Throw Old Clothes Away
Throwing old clothes in the bin might seem like the easiest option, but it’s far from the most responsible. Most textiles end up in landfills, where they take years to decompose and contribute to environmental pollution. Each year, the British population throws 300,000 tonnes of unwanted clothes into their bin, which are worth a total of around £140 million.
Instead of simply disposing of them, consider all the alternatives that can help reduce waste and even benefit others or yourself.
1. Sell Unwanted And Old Clothes Online
If you’ve got quality clothes that you no longer wear, selling them online is a great way to earn some extra money. You can even sell bundles of clothes in one go, which is particularly handy if you’re looking to declutter. Just make sure your items are clean and photographed well to attract potential buyers.
Our Cash for Clothes service allows you to easily sell your old clothes in bulk, saving you the hassle of selling each item online.
2. Repair rips and holes
Before saying goodbye to your old clothes, check if a little repair work could bring them back to life. Patching up rips, replacing buttons, or hemming trousers is easier than you might think, and there are plenty of online tutorials to guide you. If you’re not confident with a needle and thread, local tailors can often repair items for a reasonable fee. You might end up with an old favourite looking as good as new!
3. Give clothes to friends and family
One person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure. Your friends or family might love the clothes you no longer wear. Organise a swap, or hand them over to someone who’ll get some use out of them. It’s a personal way to keep clothes being worn while avoiding waste.
4. Donate your clothes to a charity shop
Charity shops are always on the lookout for good-quality clothing to sell and raise funds for their causes. Donating your unwanted clothes is an easy way to declutter while helping others. Make sure the items are in good condition, clean, and wearable. Many charity shops in the UK even accept accessories, shoes, and bags.
5. Give your linen to an animal shelter
Old towels, blankets, and clothes that are no longer suitable for human wear can be incredibly useful for animal shelters. These facilities often need materials to make bedding for animals, which means your worn-out garments can help provide comfort to pets waiting for new homes. Check with your local shelter to see what they require.
6. Find another use for your clothes
Clothing that’s beyond repair doesn’t have to be tossed away. Get creative and turn old t-shirts into cleaning rags, or even DIY tote bags. Upcycling can be a fun way to repurpose clothes while reducing waste. There are an endless number of crafting ideas available online, making it easy to give your garments a second life in a whole new form.
7. Recycle your clothes
Unfortunately, less than a fifth of used clothing is recycled in the UK.
If your clothes are too worn or damaged to be donated, recycling is a great option. Many clothing retailers and recycling points accept textiles for recycling, which can then be broken down and turned into new products like insulation or stuffing. Some brands also offer rewards like discounts or vouchers when you recycle your clothes with them. Check for local textile recycling points and do your part to keep waste out of landfills.
8. Composting your old clothes
Composting is an eco-friendly way to dispose of old clothes and materials. Many natural fibre items, such as pure wool, cotton, silk, or linen, are well-suited for composting when they’re too worn out for repair or donation.
By cutting them into smaller pieces, you can speed up the composting process and reduce waste. Make sure you remove non-compostable elements before adding old clothing to your compost pile. These items include plastic buttons, metal zips, and any stains from liquids like paint or oil. These materials are not biodegradable and can interfere with the composting process.
9. Store seasonal clothes
Properly storing clothes that aren’t in season is a great way to keep your wardrobe fresh without the need to constantly replace items. When done correctly, storing seasonal clothing can prevent damage from moisture, pests, and general wear and tear.
Make sure you store clothes in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight, and use vacuum-sealed bags to save space.
10. Avoid clothing waste in the future
One of the best ways to reduce clothing waste is to be mindful of your purchases going forward. Fast fashion may be tempting, but buying fewer, higher-quality items can help you reduce your impact on the environment.
Here are some other tips for avoiding clothing waste:
- Build a capsule wardrobe of essential, timeless clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits
- When shopping for new clothes, choose sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled fabrics
Opt for second-hand clothing if you need something new
How is Worth Its Weight Helping to Fight Fashion Waste?
At Worth Its Weight, our Cash for Clothes service lets you easily sell your unwanted clothes in bulk, saving you the hassle of selling each item online.
After you drop off your clothes, we carefully sort them and send them to communities in need around the world. By giving these items a new purpose, Worth Its Weight helps reduce the volume of clothing that ends up in landfills. Locate your nearest drop-off point and give your clothes a second life today.
Read more about the environmental benefits of selling your clothes to Worth Its Weight.
