When you’ve fallen out of love with that once-favourite sweater or perfect pair of jeans these items often find their way into online marketplaces, local thrift shops, or charitable donation collection centres to be resold and given new life. But what about clothing and textiles that are no longer in wearable condition? You may think that these pieces are destined for the dump, however, even worn, marked, or ripped clothing can be given a second chance.
You might be surprised to learn that regardless of where you choose to donate your used clothing, a significant portion of it winds up in the same places. Only about 20-25% of donated items are resold in local markets, with the remaining 75-80% eventually making their way to sorters and graders who evaluate and categorize the pieces for the next leg of their journey.
Each year, Canadians donate over 500,000 tonnes of used clothing and textiles. That amount far exceeds what the second-hand market can absorb. Local thrift shops and consignment stores have limited storage capacity, and there simply isn’t enough consumer demand for all donated items. Trends in fast fashion have also contributed to a surplus of cheap, low-quality garments, making it harder for these items to find new homes.
Then there are seasonal considerations. Donations don’t always align with what shoppers are shopping for, and without the space to store these items, resellers are forced to pass on them. For instance, winter coats tend to pile up in warmer months when they’re less in demand.
After thrift shops and charitable organizations have sorted through donated items and selected those that are most in-demand or most likely to sell, the rest is sent to sorter-graders. These professionals categorize the clothing based on condition, fibre blend, and other criteria. Once sorted, the items are bundled and either prepared for recycling, repurposing, or shipping to international markets.
Approximately 50% of the clothing items that make their way to clothing brokers to be sorted and graded end up in global second-hand markets, particularly in developing countries. In these regions, gently used clothing is given new life and sold at affordable prices to communities that rely on these exports. For many, this access to inexpensive, quality apparel provides vital economic support.
Clothing that is too damaged to be worn again often gets repurposed into industrial products, such as wiper rags. These are used in various industries, including automotive, cleaning, and manufacturing, where the fabric’s durability and absorbency come in handy. Worn-out cotton shirts or denim jeans may no longer be fashionable, but they can still serve a practical purpose as cleaning materials in workshops and factories.
Another important use for unsellable textiles is in the creation of non-woven products. These are made from shredded textiles that are processed into new items such as insulation, carpet padding, or even soundproofing. This form of recycling helps reduce the environmental impact of clothing waste, giving even the most worn items a chance at a second and keeping more textiles out of landfills.
As hard as we try to keep clothing and textiles out of landfills, not every piece can be repurposed or recycled. Overconsumption and the sheer volume of donated goods mean that some items inevitably end up in the trash. In Canada, roughly 10% of donated clothing items ultimately make their way to landfills despite all efforts to divert them. While this number is lower than in many other countries, it serves as a reminder of the importance of mindful consumption and sustainable fashion choices.
