How Does Clothes Recycling Work?

Bottles, cans, and paper have been recycled for decades, but many other types of waste still clog up landfills worldwide. Textile waste, in particular, is problematic, as only about 15% of clothing waste is recycled, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That means more than 17 billion pounds of clothing and shoes end up in landfills each year.

Clothes Bin® is a national franchise system. We take clothing recycling seriously and aim to provide accessible and affordable clothing and textile recycling options. The public demand for environmentally friendly solutions has never been greater, and we offer convenient ways for communities to recycle.

If you’re interested in promoting eco-friendly practices for the community, you may be curious to learn about clothing recycling. How does it work? And how can you get involved? Let’s take a look.

Where Can People Bring Unwanted Clothing?

People can drop off their pre-loved clothing in Bins and toss the items inside. These Bins are placed in strategic locations around the community by eco-friendly franchise owners who decided to get involved in reducing landfill waste. This clothes recycling franchise opportunity, available from Clothes Bin®, is a form of “Fillanthropy,” a side hustle to start, that can be scaled over time.

How Are Clothes Graded and Processed During the Recycling Process?

Clothes to be immediately recycled will then be graded according to their composition. For example, some clothing is made of biodegradable materials like cotton, while others are made from synthetic materials, i.e., polyester.

First, items like buttons and zippers are removed. Then, polyester-based items are shredded into small pieces and further reduced to pellet form. Biodegradable materials like cotton are sorted into different color groups and then shredded into fibers.

The fibers are cleaned, spun, and compressed. What happens to them afterward depends on how it will be reused. For example, it may be used in new mattresses, furniture padding, or car insulation.

Will My Contributions Really Be Recycled?

Of course! If you place pre-loved clothing into a Clothes Bin® for recycling, you can rest easy knowing that your contributions will be handled responsibly and kept out of landfills.

Learn More About Eco-Friendly Franchise Opportunities

The consensus is clear: an eco-friendly movement is required to reduce clothing waste. If you want to join a recycling initiative, consider getting involved in a clothing recycling Bin franchise. The recycled clothing industry as an avenue for entrepreneurship has remained relatively untapped— until now.

As a franchise owner with Clothes Bin®, you can place Bins in strategic locations around your community to collect clothing and shoes for recycling. Contact Clothes Bin® today to request more clothes recycling franchise information and become part of our “Fillanthropy” movement. Win-Win with the Bin!