The 3 R’s Reduce Reuse and Recycle for your clothes

We’ve all heard of the 3 R’s but how do we apply them to the clothes we wear every day? Here are some easy tips to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle your wardrobe.

Reduce

Invest in higher quality clothing instead of fast fashion. Rather than the latest “must-have” items which will fall apart as quickly as it will fall out of fashion, invest in better quality pieces that will stand the test of time – and multiple washings. Consciously build your wardrobe and style around classic, timeless pieces. Look for value rather than only looking at cost.

Reduce the amount of polyester you are buying. Synthetic fibres such as polyester damage our ecosystem every step of the way. Factories producing polyester fabrics release potentially dangerous and damaging substances into the water system. Once those fabrics are made into clothes which hang in your cupboard, the problem continues. We’ve all heard that every time you wash a synthetic fabric, it releases damaging microfibres into the water. New research shows that these synthetic fabrics also release microfibres into the air that could potentially be harmful to your health. Even at the end of its life as an item of clothing, the problem doesn’t end – once in a landfill, that polyester shirt will not biodegrade for 20 years at best, 200 years at worst.

Reuse

The internet is awash with fashion blogs and magazines styling the same item in multiple ways. One piece of clothing can be transformed into different outfits giving you a unique look every time you wear it.

Really can’t wear it any longer? The landfill is still not the answer. If it’s in good condition, find a local charity or thrift store and donate it. If it’s really worn out, find ways to use its individual parts. The buttons can be cut off and re-used on other clothes (your local laundry or seamstress may appreciate having them) or even in home art projects. The rest of the garment can be cut up and used as cleaning rags.

Recycle

As climate change and sustainable fashion become more and more important to consumers, new options to recycle fabrics are emerging regularly. Research the options available near you. Many fashion brands such as Zara, Mango and H&M are running take back programs. H&M’s Garment Collecting program has been around since 2013. You can drop off any unwanted clothes or textiles (any brand and in any condition) at the recycle boxes in their stores globally. Recycled clothes are shredded into textiles fibres and used to make other materials, such as insulation.