Reducing Textile Waste

"Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Do without."
-Saying popularized during WWII rationing efforts




The following is another clip from Sewing Green by Betz White:

Here are a few ways you can help to keep textile waste out of our landfills:

Reduce consumption. You may think you need new linens or that new dress, but sometimes less really is more.

Reuse and repurpose. Use your craftiness to refashion your used textiles.

Buy secondhand. Thrift and consignment shops are often full of nearly-new items at affordable prices.

Swap, donate, or hand it down. Start a clothing swap in your neighborhood. Donate clothing to a charity, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Check out freecycle.org, a nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff free in their towns. Got kids? Join freepeats.org to find or pass on gently-used baby, kid, and maternity clothing, and more.

Quality clothing. When you do choose new, purchase clothing and textile products that are high quality and designed to last.