Give your clothes a second life!

Did you know in 2023/24, 16,700 tonnes of textiles were put into general waste bins in Greater Manchester?

That’s a huge amount, especially as there’s no need for any clothing or textiles to make its way into a bin. There’s always an alternative, no matter what condition the clothes are in. 

Repair – extend the life of your clothes by doing simple repairs, such as replacing buttons, mending zips or sewing fallen hems. You could get creative and do some ‘visible mending’ such as sewing a patch over a hole or adding some embroidery to cover a stain.

Donate – take clothes that are still wearable to local charity shops or use doorstep charity bags. Not only will you be helping the environment, you’ll be supporting brilliant causes. Donated clothing is one of the biggest sources of funds raised by charities. Donating clothes also helps people who may not be able to afford to buy new clothes. You can donate school uniforms at any of the Gateways in Salford or Broughton Hub at any time of the year. 

Sell – make a bit of extra cash by selling clothes that are in good condition on sites like Vinted, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. You might even pick up a bargain for yourself!

Recycle – take clothes that are damaged and can’t be repaired to textile banks at recycling centres or supermarket carparks. These clothes are recycled into something new such as animal bedding, carpet underlay or stuffing for car seats. You can find a textile bank near you on the Recycle Now website. 

Let’s all do our bit to get that figure down over the next few years!