So, you want to break up with your clothes?
No one likes being dumped. To avoid sending your unloved clothing to a landfill or incinerator, here are options for you to test out before calling it quits.
SWAP IT
Hosting a clothing swap is a fun way to trade your gently-used clothing to someone who will love and wear them. They’re easier than you think to plan, you avoid the landfill, plus you get the bonus of shopping your friends’ closets for free. Figure out what clothes you’re over, tell your friends to do the same, and get swapping. Read about how you can plan your own clothing swap on our journal.RECYCLE IT
Check with your city, as some are starting to implement textile recycling programs to ensure your clothing finds a new life as something else, like insulation.REPAIR IT
Missing a button? Small hole? Checkout our 4 basic sewing repairs tutorial on the Journal. Repairs are a sustainable way to keep items for a longer time. Don’t feel like doing the repair yourself? There are tailors, seamstresses, shoemakers, and even watch repair places to fix anything on your list.SELL IT
If your Encircled clothing is still in good condition, you can sell or trade it in our Facebook group, the Encircled Community.UPCYCLE IT
If you’re feeling creative, make that cozy sweater you no longer wear into a pair of mittens.There are endless DIYs and Pinterest pins for things like this, so give one a try.DONATE IT
When in doubt, donate your never worn clothing. What many people don’t know is that clothing charities are actually huge textile recyclers and resellers. Of donated clothing, 50% of it is re-sold, 45% is downcycled and only 5% is sent to a landfill (source). Many clothing charities will take anything as a donation. They’ll even take damaged items, including your solo shoe, or shirt with a ripped sleeve.Donation Locations
Ontario-specific
Oasis Clothing Bank
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy
Canada-wide
The Salvation Army
Diabetes Canada
Value Village