“An average American throws away approximately 80 pounds of used clothing per person per year.”

Chicago Textile Recycling accepts many items in our recycling bins located throughout Chicagoland. Most of the items are things you think of when you think recyclable textiles…shirts, pants, socks, sheets, towels, curtains, blankets, dresses, jackets, etc. However, we also wanted to highlight a few things you may not think you should recycle, but that we do indeed accept and recycle for others to use. “Nearly 100 percent of textiles and clothing are recyclable” so please remember to donate rather than throw away. Here are 4 unusual items we do accept…

 

Undies

Most people assume that once underwear is worn and no longer wearable due to holes and broken elastic, it is trash. Either the person is embarrassed about having someone else see their used undies, or it just doesn’t cross their mind that this would be a product that recycling facilities may want. However, to clarify the confusion, CTR does accept used panties and underwear as long as they are clean, dry, and odor-free, and they actually are in high demand due to people being so reticent about donating them. When it comes to keeping textiles out of landfills, we want to recycle as much as possible…into reusable clothing if possible, into wiping rags, or into basic fiber content. So send us your undies!

 

Bras

Another item most people assume may not be an acceptable donation are bras, but there in fact exists a high demand for used bras. Brand new bras are very expensive, and so those that are used but still in workable condition should definitely be donated to your nearest bin.  Resale store shoppers and even those receiving bulk donations in third world countries appreciate and need affordable bras. Even bras you may no longer consider wearable due to pilling or small holes or loosened elastic can be worn by others in need. If your bra is broken, recycle it anyway and allow CTR or the resale store be the final judge on how we can use it.

 

Stained and Torn Children’s Clothing

One item you may think twice about donating is children’s clothing that has stains or holes in the knees. Again, children’s clothing is in high demand and we definitely do accept clothes with both of those imperfections. As long as the clothing is clean, dry, and free of odor, we accept it and use it in any reused or recycled form we can. When in doubt, recycle. Allow the experts in textile recycling make the final call in knowing if a textile is in fact as its end of life. Be satisfied in knowing that you have done your part in helping others and keeping textiles out of landfills.

 

Pantyhose

Lastly, pantyhose is an item that we do accept, but may fall into a slightly different category due to lack of demand. You are welcome to donate your used pantyhose/stockings/tights to us, or another option could also be found on this website. Swedish stockings is a Sweden-based company that uses 100% recycled or sustainable materials to make stockings for sale. Part of their efforts toward a closed loop of fashion and promoting sustainability is their Recycling Club. If you send in three pairs of old pantyhose (any brand), they will send you a discount code for 10% off your purchase. Whether you place old pantyhose and tights in our bin or send them to this company, the environment wins because you are helping keep textiles out of landfills.

 

Recycle All of Your Textiles

There are numerous reasons to recycle textiles. From helping the environment to decreasing what is sent to landfills to increasing jobs to feelings of accomplishment, the reasons are many. A few of the great reasons to recycle are:

• “The United States textile recycling industry removes approximately 2.5 billion pounds of post-consumer textiles each year from the waste stream, and the industry creates more than 17,000 jobs. Among this workforce, 10,000 are semi-skilled workers employed in the primary processing of used textile; the remaining 7,000 employees are employed in the final processing stage. There are more than 500 garment-recycling companies in the U.S. and a majority of these companies are owned and operated by small and family businesses, each of which employs 35 to 50 workers.”

 

• “Through the reuse of clothes and textiles, we can avoid pollution and energy-intensive production of new clothing. Additionally, clothing that cannot be reused may be repurposed into products such as rags or recycled into fabric or other material for reprocessing.”

 

• “If the average life of clothing was extended by just three months, it would reduce their carbon and water footprints, as well as waste generation, by five to 10 percent. The recycling of two million tons of clothing per year equates to taking one million cars from U.S. streets.”

With this increased awareness and knowledge of how you can help your planet, remember to always donate your textiles.

 

For more statistics about textiles recycling, visit this website. 

For a full list of what CTR accepts, visit this page.