What is textile recycling?

Textile recycling refers to the process of reusing and recycling clothing and textile materials and making them into other useful products. Textiles go through many different kinds of processes that tend to use up a lot of energy, and to throw them away after they are no longer useful to us is extremely wasteful. Textile recycling takes the old clothes and materials that we are longer using and resues them, meaning that less already processed materials are needed and energy can be saved. Companies like the Textile Recycling Association are highlighting the need for textile recycling to become a common part of the fashion process as they estimate that over 80% of clothing is never given the chance to be reused. 

How is textile recycling done?

There are many different kinds of textile recycling companies that are able to take in your old clothes and materials and turn them into a new product. From textile artists using recycled materials to textiles from recycled plastics, there are several different methods and ways that textile recycling happens. One of the most common kinds of textile recycling is that is done by local textile recycling experts, where they separate different types of materials and colours and then shred the fibres of the items and return them to their original yarn state. This can then be redesigned into something new! 

What are the things to consider when recycling textiles?

It is extremely important to remember that different materials and colours need to be separated from each other if you are going to shred and reuse certain materials. This ensures that the yarm that comes from these different pieces of clothing and material are of high quality and can be re-made into something new after they have been processed. By recycling used textiles, we can be sure that the energy and natural resources that go into creating these products is not wasted or unjustified. 

Why is textile recycling important?

Every item of clothing that we purchase and wear has gone through many different processes to take it from its natural material to clothing that we see and buy in shops. These processes are long and use a lot of energy, water and natural resources to complete. It is therefore important that these processes not be wasted by throwing away clothing or material after we no longer need them, instead, textile recycling can ensure that these pieces of material can be re-made into something that someone else may want to use or wear. This ensures that the energy that goes into creating clothing from scratch is not wasted! 

What can we do for textile recycling in our homes?

There are many different things we can do at home to reduce our textile waste at home. By simply selling, recycling or donating clothing and materials that you no longer wear or need, you can help the textile recycling process gain traction. Many avid textile recyclers simply have a closet and home cleanout every few months and donate or sell what they no longer want or need. 

What can local governments do for textile recycling?

There are many different programs and initiatives that governments can set up and endorse to promote textile recycling. Having notices like ‘clothing and textile recycling near me’ near certain textile recycling drop off zones can ensure that the public knows where they can go to donate their used and unwanted materials and clothes. Another popular way that governments and communities can help to promote and endorse textile recycling is by having textile recycling banks set up over the region, this ensures that people who are wanting to donate and get rid of their unwanted materials have an easy way to do so. Creating spaces where the recycling of textiles is easy and common ensures that it is done more! 

How does recycling textiles help the environment?

Recycling textiles is a sustainable way to ensure that the energy that goes into creating clothing and materials is not lost once the items are no longer needed or wanted. This helps the environment in many different ways, the most notable one however is that fewer natural resources are used to create new items as the old materials are used instead! This ensures that fewer natural resources are exploited which could go a long way to ensure a sustainable future. 

What are some benefits of recycling?

• Minimises the need for landfills: By recycling clothing textiles, or any material or object, there becomes less of a need for landfills. Landfills are designated dumping spots where millions of different items are dumped and discarded, taking up valuable land and space where trees could be planted, schools could be developed or anything else could be made that would positively impact the community. 
• Preserves natural resources: By recycling materials and textiles, there is less need for natural resources to be used. This ensures that these natural commodities are harvested less frequently and can be sustained for a longer period of time. 
• Reduces air pollution: With less need for natural resources, there is less pollution and harmful substances that are released by large factories and incineration plants. This ensures that the earth will have a more promising future, as the excrements that are released from factories and incineration plants are extremely harmful to the environment and air. 

What type of textiles can be recycled?

Textiles refer to any type of material that we have in our homes or in our wardrobes. Anything from cotton T-shirts to carpets can be recycled and reused. With so many different materials and textiles that can be used, there are many different kinds of 

Here at greenpetition.com/ we have an assortment of different products that have been created from recycled textiles into simple, high-quality items! Our brand specifically uses plastic bottles and recycled fabrics to create towels and peshtemals that are designed and produced in an ecologically friendly way.