Let’s Support and Promote Textile Recycling Programs in Our Communities!

BySwagCycle
textilerecycling

Textile recycling is an excellent way to lessen our carbon footprint and promote sustainable living. According to recycling experts, the U.S. alone generates over 25 billion pounds of textile waste annually. Worse, most of it ends up in landfills resulting in harmful methane released into the atmosphere. But this problem can be tackled by promoting textile recycling programs, and every individual can play a part. In this blog, we’ll figure out ways to support and promote textile recycling programs within our communities.

  • Spread the word: One of the easiest and most practical ways to promote textile recycling is to spread the word. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about the benefits of textile recycling. Share information about textile recycling on your social media platforms and encourage others to follow suit. You can also talk with local charities, schools, and community centers to support textile recycling programs. For instance, you could donate pre-loved clothes and textiles to a local charity that supports textile recycling.
  • Know What to Recycle: Knowing what you can recycle is essential in promoting textile recycling programs. Although most textiles and clothing are recyclable, some are difficult to recycle. Many recycling centers may not accept fabrics that are stained, torn, or too small. So, before recycling, know what kinds of materials are acceptable. Check with your local textile recycling program to find out what they accept and what they don’t. Always read the guidelines that come with your recycling program and follow them to the letter. This way, you can contribute to the cause without contaminating the recycling process.
  • Styling With Recycled Materials: Another way to support textile recycling is by promoting innovative ways to reuse clothes and textiles. Encourage people to buy upcycled, vintage, and slightly used clothes, or alter the clothes they already own. You don’t have to be a designer to create amazing outfits from repurposed clothes and textiles. Use Pinterest and Instagram to find inspiration and guidance on styling with recycled materials. This way, you’re not only giving textile waste a new lease of life, but you’re also reducing new clothing production as well.
  • Organize a Community Swap: A clothing swap is a fun way to promote textile recycling in your community. Organize a clothing swap with friends, neighbors, or coworkers, where everyone brings in clothes or textiles they no longer want, and others can pick out items they like. This encourages sharing and swapping rather than disposing of textiles, which reduces waste. You can donate the remaining clothes to a local textile recycling program or charity.
  • Shop Local and Sustainable Brands: When shopping for clothes, consider buying from local brands that are eco-friendly and sustainable. Invest in timeless pieces that are of good quality and won’t go out of style soon. This way, you’re encouraging the production of sustainable fashion, preventing textile waste, and supporting your local economy.

Conclusion:

As consumers, we have the power to influence what is produced, and what ends up in landfills. Supporting and promoting textile recycling programs is an excellent way to reduce textile waste, promote sustainable fashion, and contribute to a greener environment. By spreading the word, knowing what to recycle, promoting stylish ways to recycle, organizing a clothes swap, and shopping for sustainable brands, we can make a difference. Let’s make textile recycling a popular movement in our communities and contribute to saving the planet.

"SwagCycle is a startup focused on responsibly managing the lifecycle of branded merchandise. When companies rebrand or get acquired, many often dispose of their obsolete branded merchandise. Leveraging our proprietary network of partners, we make this problem go away by helping companies repurpose and recycle unwanted branded items in a responsible, ethical, and affordable way.

SwagCycle is a proud portfolio company of Grossman Marketing Group, a fourth-generation marketing services firm with a deep history of corporate responsibility.

We’ve developed a simple and efficient 3-step process to address the issue of obsolete branded merchandise with companies:
(1) Assess the inventory of unwanted items;
(2) Confirm brand guidelines to determine if excess items can live on with charitable partners or should be recycled; and
(3) Match items with appropriate charities and/or recycling partners.

An important term to consider is landfill divergence. We want to ensure that items do not get thrown away, but instead, get repurposed or recycled responsibly.

The response from the charitable community has been wonderful. Some of our founding charitable partners include organizations like United Way, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, and Dress for Success, among others."