Fix Our Earth: Clean Out Your Closet the Eco-Friendly Way
BY: STEPHANIE LICCIARDI, GROUP FOR THE EAST END ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATE
FIX OUR EARTH
Happy Spring! This year, spring cleaning coincides with social isolation, which means that many of us are home with some extra time to clean out closets. Below, 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. Fast fashion is a common approach to clothing production that involves retailers quickly and cheaply producing massive amounts of clothing. This cheap production of our clothing, now using mostly synthetic fabrics, harms the planet and the people making our clothes, often overseas in crowded factories with questionable labor practices. This New York Times article explains the issue in depth. I recommend reading Fashionopolis by Dana Thomas if you want to learn more. The least we can do is try to limit the amount of our clothing and linens sent to landfills.
1. Sell What’s in Good Condition
If you choose to sell your clothes, you can be sure that your clothing is given a second life. I sell on Poshmark, but you can also try Depop, Ebay, or Facebook Marketplace. ThreadUp is an online thrift store that accepts items for resale. You send them your goods and then choose if you want cash or ThreadUp credit in exchange.
2. Repurpose and Upcycle
Use this extra time on hand and get crafty! Towels and washcloths become rags. Old T-shirts can turn into reusable tote bags. Crop your hoodies. Distress your jeans. Tie-dye something. That shirt or pair of jeans you were tired of wearing could become new and exciting.The options are endless!
3. Host a Clothing Swap
As it becomes safe to do so, 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
Support your local community by donating your gently used clothes. Make sure the clothes are clean with minimal damage and stains, otherwise what you donate will be thrown away and end up in a landfill. If you don’t want to wear a shirt anymore because it is dingy and old, then you should recycle it, not donate it.
If you can, seek out small, local thrift stores that use their money for a good cause, like the ELIH Opportunity Shop in Greenport and The Retreat in Bridgehampton. There are also many organizations that exist to support our communities, like CAST and Heart of the Hamptons. If you have blankets, towels, sheets, washcloths, or other linens to donate, check in with one of our East End animal shelters, such as Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, North Fork Animal Welfare League, and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation. Many will take these items to care for their animals.
COVID-19 Note: Most places are not accepting donations right now. Please wait until they reopen to donate much needed items. Do not leave bags of clothes outside an organization that is not currently accepting donations because that bag will be sent to a landfill and you are putting others at risk for disease.
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. For those who spend time in NYC, most farmers markets have a textile recycling drop-off. The options are more limited on the East End, so 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 (including the Riverhead location) and & Other Stories accept all textiles for recycling. Madewell accepts denim. Marine Layer accepts t-shirts. When you research options, they will appear!
See? 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 keep each item for years to come. Tag the Group and let us know what you are going to do with the clothes you don’t want anymore.