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Four Ways You Can Reduce Clothing Waste and Save Money
Fashion cycles are getting shorter each year. Trends go by as fast as fashion bloggers generate new content. While it’s always fun to shop for the trendiest outfit, have you ever wondered what happens to last season’s clothes?
According to the EPA, the faster pace of fashion trends is gradually creating an environmental crisis. If you don’t want to contribute to the 23 billion pounds of textile waste left in landfills, then it’s time to rethink throwing away old clothes. Here are greener ways you can de-clutter your closet (and even make money along the way).
Share and Swap
Other people can benefit from your old clothing items. If a tee shirt or a pair of jeans doesn’t fit you anymore, then consider passing them on to a family member or a relative. Just be sure they’re still wearable and not completely worn out.
Kids can easily take advantage of old “hand-me-down” apparel. Baby clothes, in particular, are some of the most passed on clothing. Carefully maintained leather shoes can also be passed down the family line. Take time to sort out your closet for eligible hand-me-downs.
Exchanging apparel via offline swap parties or through online swap services can also be an alternative if you really don’t want to give away your clothes for free. Platforms like Rehash Clothes and Swapstyle can easily facilitate online swapping.
Sell Online or Offline
Selling used clothes online is incredibly easy with a multitude of apps available for free. The usual suspects, like e-commerce giants Ebay or Craigslist, are easy to get into and have a wide consumer base.
For those who have an entrepreneurial bent, e-commerce platforms like Shopify can help you get your online clothing boutique ready in a few minutes. Shopify boasts an easy-to-learn interface and a dedicated support team for any issues you may encounter.
If you’re averse to selling your goods online, there’s always the old-fashioned way of holding a garage sale. Local clothing resale shops, as well as consignment stores, can also be good options for the task.
Repurpose and Re-Fashion
Hopelessly worn out clothes can be easily repurposed for a variety of household uses. Torn shirts can be used as rags and cleaning cloths. Old jeans can be remade into pouches or small bags.
Let your creative side take control and look into do-it-yourself projects involving the textiles you can reuse from old apparel. The possibilities are endless, so long as you’re willing to devote time and effort to the process.
Donate, Feel Great
Feeling generous? You can always donate your used clothing to a worthy cause. There are plenty of non-profit organizations out there that accept used apparel. Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and the International Red Cross are just some of the reputable nonprofits that require your aid.
Some institutions even accept badly damaged clothes, as they can easily repurpose or resell them to textile recyclers. Don’t just throw away your old, unwanted outfits. Swap, resell, repurpose or donate them. Not only will you make money out of it, but you’re also greatly helping the environment.
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