What You Need to Know About Recycled Clothing

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Recycled clothes are a good option if you want to start a sustainable lifestyle through clothes. Nevertheless, it can be a challenge to figure out how to begin using recycled clothes exactly.

That is because not all can be recycled entirely since many products and materials are not made using a circular process in designing. For instance, many clothes are made from synthetic fibers. These can be recycled, but that was not the initial intention.

So, when a shopper purchases a dress made of polyester, and after wearing it a few times, she can donate or throw it. The dress can end up in a landfill, which will take a very long time before it decomposes. As a result, microplastics are released into the land and atmosphere.

How Clothes Are Recycled

A total of four processes are utilized to create recycled clothes. The first one is to resale and upcycle. Then, the clothes are resold to other countries to sell in used clothing stores.

After that, natural textile is created from recycled raw materials. Lastly, synthetic materials such as polyester, rayon, viscose, and polyamide are used to recycle raw materials.

In addition, clothes made from natural materials such as wool and cotton are shredded and cleaner. Then, the fibers are spun to create yarn to create new fabrics. The process of recycling clothes made from a combination of polyester and cotton is more challenging.

Overall, fast fashion needs to be controlled better because it has caused a supply-and-demand system that does not make circular practices and better recycling methods possible.

However, fast fashion has been the standard practice because it is cheaper to produce, sell, and purchase than creating pieces of clothing that can last longer and can be recycled and reused safely.

Nevertheless, the problem with fast fashion is that it makes a destructive cycle that can harm the workers and the earth.