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Why Throwing Out Your Old Clothes is Worse Than Buying Fast Fashion
- Jennifer Walderdorff
- Mar 28
- 2 min read
We all know fast fashion is a problem. It’s been called out for its unethical labor practices, environmental destruction, and culture of overconsumption. But here’s something you might not expect: throwing out your old clothes might actually be worse.
Sounds dramatic, right? But let’s break it down.
The Real Cost of Clothing Waste
Every year, 92 million tons of textile waste end up in landfills. That’s one truckload of clothing dumped every second. The fashion industry is already overproducing at a terrifying rate, but the bigger issue? Consumers are discarding clothes at an unsustainable pace.
The average person throws away 37 kg (81 lbs) of clothing per year.
Only 15% of textiles actually get recycled or donated.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester take 200+ years to break down in landfills.
We often justify throwing things away in the name of “decluttering” or “making space for better pieces.” But when those clothes hit the landfill, they become a bigger problem than the fast fashion industry itself. The energy, water, and labor that went into making those pieces? Completely wasted.
The Secondhand Market is Overflowing
Donating clothes feels like the responsible thing to do, but here’s the catch: charities are overwhelmed.
Only 10-20% of donated clothes actually get resold in thrift stores. The rest? They’re either exported to developing countries (flooding their markets with low-quality clothing) or sent straight to landfill.
In places like Ghana’s Kantamanto Market, 40% of imported secondhand clothes are unsellable and end up as waste.
So while donating is better than straight-up throwing clothes in the bin, it’s not the perfect solution we think it is.
What’s the Alternative? Making Clothes Work for You
Instead of ditching your clothes, the real solution is learning how to make them work for you. That’s where personal styling and sustainable fashion come into play. Here’s what you can do:
Restyle Before You Rebuy – Your wardrobe has more potential than you think. A fresh styling approach can make an old outfit feel brand new.
Alter & Tailor – Clothes don’t fit the same way they used to? Adjust them for your current shape instead of replacing them.
Swap with Friends – Clothing swaps are a fun, free way to refresh your wardrobe without adding to the waste problem.
Sell or Repurpose – Sell high-quality pieces secondhand, or upcycle damaged ones into new garments or home items.
A Shift in Mindset
The fashion industry wants you to keep buying, and fast fashion makes that easy. But the biggest impact we can have isn’t just boycotting fast fashion—it’s reducing waste altogether.
Before you throw something out, ask yourself: Is there another way to use this? Can it be restyled, repaired, or repurposed?
Because when it comes to sustainability, the most eco-friendly clothing is the one you already own.
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