Recycling fabric is also known as textile recycling. All of the fabric we use, whether it is clothing, bed linen, curtains or anything else made from fabric, make up a huge amount of waste per year. There are different ways in which fabric can be reused, but although many options are available, a large amount still unnecessarily ends up in landfill.
Can fabric be recycled?
There are a multitude of ways in which to recycle fabric. And this includes all types, such as nylon, wool, fleece, flannel, cotton – all the products which make up items we use every day. The most important thing about recycling textiles is to keep them dry. Once they become damp, mildew soon sets in and then they are unsuitable to be reused. For this reason, always be sure to bag up your fabrics to keep them in the best condition possible.
What are the possibilities for the recycled fabric material?
The very best way to recycle fabric is to pass it onto someone else to use. This way no extra resources are used to turn it into something else, and it means someone else gets to use it. In fact, the uncertain economic climate has made more and more people realize the advantage of purchasing second hand clothes, and the demand has risen tenfold.
Charities accept all kinds of fabrics for donation. From trousers to pillowcases, they can all be put to good use. They may end up being distributed in the U.S. or are sometimes shipped off to other areas in the world; perhaps where a disaster has struck and things are in short supply. There are many drop off points in all the towns and cities of the U.S. where you can take your unwanted fabrics. If you are unsure of your nearest center, visit www.earth911.com and type in your zip code to find the closest one to you.
You might consider selling off your unwanted clothes. As long as they are in reasonable condition with no rips or stains then they have a resale value. Consider selling them via an online auction site or at a car boot sale. The dollars made are sure to come in handy as well. If your clothes have a designer label then you might be pleasantly surprised at the money they fetch.
Once fabrics become too badly worn or damaged, then it can be recycled. The components can then be reused by the textile industry. They might become cleaning cloths or stuffing for furniture. Some are processed down into fibers for use in upholstery or insulation.
But what about the resources used in the fabric recycling process?
Donating or selling your unwanted fabrics uses up no other resources, and this is the best way in which to get rid of them. But even if your fabrics have seen better days, they are still made from valuable resources, so take care not to just throw them in the trash.