Spring Cleaning: Eco-Friendly Ways to Get Rid of Your Clothes
Happy Spring! This year, spring cleaning coincides with social isolation, which means that many of us are home with ample time to clean out closets. I love going through what I own and assessing the value those items bring to my life. Last year, I watched Tidying Up with Marie Kondo and it made me realize that if I don’t use or like something I own, I don’t have to keep it! Crazy, right? After sorting through my closet, I was left with a lot of clothes I didn’t want in my home anymore.
In this post, I’ll share what you can do with your piles of clothes, but the most important tip is that there is NO reason for any of your clothes to head to a landfill. This NYT article explains it better than I can in a blog post, but basically, the production of our clothing really harms the planet and the people making our clothes. I recommend reading Fashionopolis by Dana Thomas if you want to learn more. The least we can do is keep our clothing and linens out of landfills.
1. Sell What’s in Good Condition
If you choose to sell your clothes, you will be sure that your clothing is given a second life. I sell on Poshmark, but you can also try Depop, Ebay, or Facebook Marketplace. If you want to make a Poshmark account, use my code “Stephlicciardi” and we will both get $10. ThreadUp is an online thrift store that accepts high-quality items for resale. You send them your goods and then choose if you want cash or ThreadUp credit in exchange.
2. Repurpose and Upcycle
A lot of us have extra time on our hands, so it’s a good time to get crafty. Towels and wash cloths become rags. Old T-shirts can turn into reusable tote bags. Crop your hoodies. Distress your jeans. Tie-dye something. The options are endless! Something you were tired of wearing could become new and exciting.
3. Host a Clothing Swap
When it is safe again, gather your friends, family, and neighbors for a clothing swap. Everyone can bring a few pieces and accessories they don’t use anymore and choose some “new” clothes to bring home. For now, you can host a virtual swap, which can be just as fun as in-person.
4. Donate
Give back by donating your clothes. Make sure the clothes are clean with minimal damage and stains, otherwise what you donate will be thrown away. If you don’t want to wear a shirt anymore because it is dingy and old, then you should not donate it. If you can, seek out small, local thrift stores that use their money for a good cause.
5. Recycle
You can recycle your old textiles and clothes! First, google “clothing recycle near me” to see if any local places offer the service. My mom brings her textile recycling to the Union Square Farmer’s Market in NYC. If there is nothing in your area, search how to recycle the specific items you need to get rid of. I have found ways to recycle bras and old trophies. Terracycle offers a clothing box that you can fill up and send off for proper recycling. H&M and & Other Stories accept all textiles for recycling. Madewell accepts denim. Marine Layer accepts t-shirts.
Now you know that there is an eco-friendly way to spring clean. The next step is to purchase mindfully and take care of what you own so you get rid of stuff less often. Is there something you do with your old clothes that is not listed here? Have you found a way to recycle something that is typically thrown away? Let me know in the comments!