Today we are celebrating Textile Tuesday as a part of the 20th anniversary of Waste Reduction Week in Canada.

North Americans send 9.5 million tonnes of clothing to landfills each year. With the rise of fast fashion since the early 2000s, consumers have been accepting the lesser quality of the garments in substitution for lower prices. As a result, they are more inclined to throw away the items and move on to the next trend. A rise in clothing consumption and production has led to a dramatic increase in textile waste.

You don’t need to sacrifice your style to reduce the environmental footprint of the textile industry. If you’d like to avoid sending your former clothes to the landfill, check out these four ways to jumpstart an afterlife for clothes you no longer want or need.

Swap and Share

Have a clothing exchange party where people bring and swap clothes that they no longer want. Everyone leaves with fresh items for their wardrobe – without spending a dime or sending anything to the landfill.

Re-Fashion & Repurpose

Check out online DIY resources or generate ideas on how to turn an old item into something fresh and new.  

Rags to Riches

Resell your clothing online or at your neighborhood consignment shop. 

Donate, Feel Great

Donating your clothing is a great way to give back to the community while also clearing out space in your closet.