Style Expert Shares 7 Clothing Programs for Recycling Mountains of Old Clothes

With so many environmental conservation efforts out there, anyone would be overwhelmed as to which one to pursue.

A style expert recommends looking no further than the mountain of old clothes in the closet and the seven clothing programs suitable for recycling still-usable clothing.

Zoe Sayler, a style editor for Seattle Met pointed out that since millions of tons of textiles end up in landfills each year, the fashion industry emits more carbon dioxide per passenger mile than international flights.

Although it's not as simple as throwing a can in the trash, recycling clothing is still easy and worthwhile.

Here are seven style expert-recommended clothing programs for recycling old but still useful clothes.

1. King County Threadcycle

• for clothing items not suitable for reuse

Old clothes that can no longer be worn can still be useful. Transfer stations in King County will recycle almost any textile as long as it isn't damp, mildewed, or stained with a dangerous or prohibited substance.

On the King County website, a comprehensive list of thrift shops and transfer stations that accept textiles is available.

2. Girlfriend Collective

• for clothing items fit for remakes

The athleisure industry's patron saint in Seattle uses recycled bottles to create its goods.

When a product has reached the end of its lifespan with customers, it can be sent back to be transformed into new products like skorts and leggings with pockets.

Customers must purchase a shipping label for each product for $7, but in exchange, they will receive a $15 store credit.

3. Madewell

• for recycling denim items

A generous denim recycling program is offered by Madewell, which has nearby locations in Bellevue and at U Village.

A $20 Madewell gift card will be given to anyone who recycles an old pair of jeans. One man's trash is another man's housing insulation, as the saying goes.

4. Patagonia

• outdoor items for upcycling or repair

Patagonia items sometimes receive a little too much love from Seattle residents, much like young children treat teddy bears.

Although customers won't receive store credit for this one, Patagonia tries to upcycle recycled products, so old and "beyond help" fleece may find a new purpose.

Customers will either need to ship it back or drop it off downtown.

The Worn Wear program gives Patagonia credit or repair options for items that are still very much wearable. It is also a brilliant way to get outdoor gear for a lower cost.

5. Ridwell

• accepts relatively clean clothing and other items

The Seattle-based Ridwell company picks up the more uncommon recyclables that people agonize over throwing away, such as plastic film or household batteries.

Included are clean-ish shoes, clothes, sheets, towels, and even fabric scraps.

Read also: $1000 in Exchange for Collecting Used Cans From the Streets of New York - Would You Do It? 

6. Consignment Stores

• for wearable and sellable clothing items

Consigning may not be considered a recycling method, but it functions much like a loosely regulated trade-in program.

It's wise to plan ahead because stores typically list their brands and styles online, although they can be quite picky about the items they take.

Marie Claire lists several brands or shops that buy and resell or upcycle previously-used premium branded items.

7. REI Trade-In

• for old outdoor apparel

Members of the REI Co-op can take advantage of the extensive trade-in program offered by the local outdoor gear giant, which accepts goods that were once sold by REI and are in good condition.

Even if the North Face was purchased somewhere else, they would probably accept it and offer a gift card in exchange.

Although they have a list of items on their website, it is advised to think about dropping them off in-store, Seattle Met reported.

Related article: ByeBye Mattress Program Reaches 205,000 Mattresses Recycled in 147 Towns, Cities