Reduce clothing waste
An estimated 336,000 tonnes of used clothing is discarded each year in the UK.
Making some small changes to the way we buy, wash, reuse and recycle our clothes can reduce waste, save money and limit our impact on our climate.
Tips for reducing clothing and textiles waste
Buy less, buy better
Do you really need that? On average a quarter of the items of clothing we own are never worn. Reducing what we buy is the best way to cut our clothing carbon footprint.
When buying any item of clothing new or pre-loved, stop and apply the 30 times rule. If you won’t wear the item 30 times then do not buy.
If you need to buy, invest in better quality clothing wherever you can. Clothes which last longer have a reduced environmental impact. Look out for good materials, neat and strong stitching and metal zips as a starting point.
Buy pre-loved
There are now so many ways to find pre-loved clothes, from local charity and vintage shops to online or app based options. Visit our reuse page for more information.
Rent rather than buy
Clothing rental sites let you choose and hire designer garments from their own stock or people's private wardrobes for much less than the retail price. If you need an expensive outfit for a one-off occasion it can be a sustainable way to have the use of a garment for a weekend - or longer, for only a fraction of its retail value. Look out for sites online - there are both high end designer fashion and high street retail sites.
Take care of your clothes
Washing clothes correctly or carrying out a simple repair can ensure your favourite items are ready to wear for years to come.
Over-washing clothes can reduce their lifespan, so before putting the item in the wash, check to see if a quick spot clean will do. When washing use the coolest and gentlest cycle. If you’re not sure how to wash an item have a look at this handy guide to washing symbols.
Getting a few basic sewing skills under your belt will help you deal with minor repairs, like missing buttons. Visit Repair what you wear for a wealth of repair guides and creative ideas.
If you can't make the repair yourself have a look for your local repair café or sewing and alterations shop.
Donate, sell or recycle clothes in-store
If you’re having a sort out and find good quality items you no longer need you can donate them to charity. Visit our list of local reuse organisations to find charity shops across Herefordshire.
More and more high street retailers are taking back clothes for recycling. Keep an eye out for donation points in-store next time you’re shopping. Use the postcode look-up on Recycle now to find your donation points and clothes banks in your area.
For more information visit the clothing and textiles page of our recycling A to Z.
Remember, please do not put clothes, textiles or shoes into your recycling bin as it will not be collected.