Recycle old clothes

Most of us have clothes that are no longer fashionable or just don’t fit us anymore. They are just taking up space in our closets and drawers, are we really going to lose weight and fit into them again or do we just need to get rid of them? Did you know that nearly 100 percent of those old clothes can be recycled?

Many of us are now in the habit of recycling other household products (plastic, paper and metal), so why not include clothing and fabrics? Recycling can give old clothes and fabrics a second life. Recycling our unused and old clothing items will help to reduce waste in landfills and energy consumption by minimizing water and gas usage. It also provides affordable clothing to people in need. Recycling unwanted clothing and fabrics provides both environmental and economic benefits, which is good for our communities, our nation, and the entire ecological world as a whole!

There are a variety of options for recycling unwanted, but still usable clothing and fabrics. Resell your unwanted clothing in rummage sales or to consignment shops who accept used clothing. Donate your old clothes to clothing charities like Catholic Charities in Sallisaw where everything donated gets used locally or sent on to third world countries. There are also textile recyclers, such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army. You can always pass your unused clothes on to someone you know who can use them—a cousin, brother, sister, friend, etc.

Redesign your old-fashioned clothing into trendy clothes, bags, or accessories to prolong the life of your once precious clothing. It is fun and easy! Change your old clothing into other styles, for example: cut your long jeans into shorts; cut your long conservative skirt into a short and more fashionable one; change the collar and sleeves. The possibilities are endless!

Turn an old shirt into an apron; an old warm winter sweater into a few pairs of winter gloves; a silk skirt into a scarf; a tie into a wallet. If the fabric is soft and comfortable, you may even turn old adult clothing into a skirt, shirt or pants for kids. Cut old clothes into little squares or other shapes and make a quilt, pillow, bag, curtain, or even toys (such as doll).

Some old clothing is simply beyond repair and is not suitable to wear ever again. For old clothing which cannot be used for any of the ideas above, there are alternatives! If the fabrics are highly absorbent and comfortable, such as cotton and rayon, you can cut such clothes up and use them as rags, baby diapers, or even handkerchiefs.

Clothing and fabrics play an important role in environmental sustainability. Recycling and reusing old clothing may contribute greatly to a better and healthier environment, not only for today, but for future generations as well. Please join us as we make a commitment to save the environment by recycling unwanted, but still usable clothing! If you need more recycling ideas, contact the Extension office.

For more info or to schedule a program locally about financial management, nutrition, health and wellness, parenting education, OHCE contact Janis Risley, at the OSU Cooperative Extension Service in Sequoyah County at 918-775-4838 or email janis.risley@okstate.edu.