Recycling textiles does much more than this.  It saves the environment from tons of harsh chemicals, waste products and waste water used in the manufacturing of clothing as well:*

• Polyester, the most commonly used manufactured fiber, is made from petroleum in an energy-intensive process that emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and acid gases into the air. The process also uses a large amount of water for cooling.
• The manufacturing of nylon emits nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas with a carbon footprint 310 times that of carbon dioxide. 
• Rayon, derived from wood pulp, often relies on clearing old growth forests to make way for water-hungry eucalyptus trees, from which the fiber is derived.
• Cotton, found in most clothing, is the most pesticide-dependent crop in the world. It takes one-third of a pound of pesticides to make one t-shirt.
• When manufacturing clothes, dyeing requires a hefty amount of water, and its fixatives often flow into rivers and sewers. Also, all “easy care” and “permanent press” cottons are treated with formadehyde. 

*Source: Earth911.com (http://earth911.com/household/clothing-and-textile/facts-about-clothes/)

What clothing and textile items can be reused/recycled?

• Clean, dry clothing clothing in any condition
• Shoes (keep in pairs)
• Undergarments
• Socks (keep in pairs)
• Outerwear
• Hats, Belts, Scarves, and Ties
• Handbags, Wallets, Totes, and Backpack
• Towels, Bed Linens, Sheets, Comforters and Blankets
• Curtains, Drapes and Table Linens
• Stuffed Animals
• Other secondary materials including books, tapes, CDs, DVDs, bric-a-brac

How do you recycle your textiles and secondary materials?

Some communities include clothing and household textiles in their recycling programs. Many charities sponsor neighborhood drop off boxes, have door-to-door pick-up services or thrift shops where you can donate clothing. And watch for special community recycling events such as winter coat collections in cold weather areas. You can also take clothing to for-profit consignment shops for resale. Soem other recycling tips include:

• Keep separate from other recyclables such as paper, glass, and metal
• Make sure all materials are clean (stains and tears are ok)
• Do not recycle textiles previously used as a rag
• Place in a dry plastic bag.  Must always be kept dry.
• Tie shoes together by the laces keeping in pairs or use an elastic band

Where can you recycle your textiles?

Find a Recycling Center near You

• Your favorite local charity
• Ask your town or city if they have a textile recycling program
• Call or visit the web site of your local transfer station or town landfill or dump to see if they have collection boxes
• Check your mail for charities that offer curb side pick up

I’ve heard my donated clothing is actually sold instead of being given to poor people. Isn’t this deceptive and unethical?

Recycling is not unethical. If you dropped off your clothing at charity’s staffed location or a box marked with a charity’s name, that group will be using the clothing either by directly giving it to persons in need or by selling it to fund it’s charitable programs.
 

Doesn’t the used clothing market undermine new clothing businesses in developing countries?

Used clothing sales create jobs and affordable apparel in many lesser developed countries. Many people in these countries cannot afford locally made new clothing. And many people in these countries earn their livelihood by selling used clothing. New clothing businesses in developing countries can make more money producing clothing for export to wealthier countries in Europe and North America.
 

Who else besides consumers can help recycle and divert textiles from the landfill?

• Healthcare and hospitality facilities
• New textile mills and manufacturers
• Cut and sew plants
• Textile dye facilities
• Retail stores (returned and obsolete merchandise)

 
How can I learn more about what happens to clothing I donate and textile recycling in general?

Read these books:
Travels of a T-shirt by Pietra Rivoli, professor Georgetown University
Salaula: The World of Secondhand Clothing and Zambia by Karen Tranberg Hansen, professor Northwestern University

Listen to a discussion between Pietra Rivoli and students at
http://fora.tv/2006/08/30/Travels_if_a_T-Shirt_in_the_Global_Economy

See how kids set a recycling “record.”
Kids from all over the country participated, sending in one pair of jeans or truck loads of jeans collected in community projects. The clothing will be recycled by COTTON. FROM BLUE TO GREEN.®, and made into home insulation for houses damaged in natural disasters. http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/greenscene/recycling/

A short video on Dr. Hawley and her research on textile recycling:
http://syndicate.missouri.edu/tags/recycling

Dr. Hawley’s article on the Economic Impact of Textile and Clothing Recycling
http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/KingString/attach/SMARTJanaHawleyREV.pdf

A sample from the book Sustainable Textiles: Life Cycle and the Environmental Impact
http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/KingString/attach/
SMARTSubstainableTextilesLifeCycleandSample.pdf>

Dr. Hawley’s article: Digging for Diamonds: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Reclaimed Textile Products
http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/KingString/attach/
SMARTDiggingforDiamondsAConceptualFramework.pdf

Dr. Hawley’s article: Textile Recycling: A System Perspective
http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/KingString/attach/
SMARTEXTILERECYLINGASYSTEMPERSPECTIVE.pdf

What else can you do?

• Buy products made from recycled textiles
• Ask your employer to purchase wiping cloths made from recycled textiles
• Encourage your city or town to institute a textile recycling program