Most of us try to recycle what we can: our plastic bottles, aluminum cans, newspapers, and cardboard. In many states and municipalities across the U.S., recycling these materials is not only encouraged but often mandated. And that's a good thing—our landfills are filling up fast, and nobody wants a new landfill built in their backyard.
However, did you know that textile waste—such as clothing, shoes, and linens—is poorly managed in the U.S. and is becoming a growing problem? The Council for Textile Recycling and the EPA both estimate that only about 15-16% of all usable clothing is being recycled. The rest ends up in landfills. In our backyards.
Textile recycling has not kept up with other recycling programs, and we have a long way to go to make this more manageable. Companies like Friendship Used Clothing Collection are part of the solution. By partnering with non-profits to help manage their overflowing donations, as well as collecting directly from the public, we are making a difference in our communities and helping address this growing environmental challenge.
Each year, we recycle millions of textiles, preventing them from ending up in landfills and giving them new life to those in need.
Your donations help over a hundred million people receive clean and usable clothing worldwide, fostering sustainable communities.